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7 Tips for First Time Wedding Photographers

by Joy Michelle
0 minutes read

7 Tips for First Time Wedding Photographers

Photographing your first wedding?? I got you! These are my best tips for shooting your first wedding ever. phew!

It wasn’t easy to narrow this into a short list – what else would you add? Leave me a comment with your best tips for shooting weddings.

What to Include in Wedding Contracts:

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24 comments

@Joymichelle 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

What are YOUR best tips for someone shooting their first wedding?

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@ivanbarker 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Awesome vid Joy. Love the tips!

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@joeweihs2047 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

I’m a senior and I have a D5000 with a nifty 50 my daughter is getting married can you suggest setting for me ? Out doors after 6 pm

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@wanneske1969 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Great tips ! I've done like 10 weddings. The tip about bringing a friend is a bit controversial. If I'm paid for a wedding, how much should I pay the friend or relative who helps me out but has no clue about photography ?

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@danyexzea9963 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Can someone that is an introvert be a wedding photographer?

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@adeinewallacephotography 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Loved the veil shot as the veil was bent seeing it in the frame of the image and the newlywed couple faces is crisp and clear! I think I need an assistant lol. I get the bridal party to help for this too.

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@AllieOnPointe 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

My wedding photographer and friend (who was gifting it to me) just completely bailed on my wedding after I’ve already used my budget on other things. So I really wish we had had a contract with this 😩 it kills me that as a photographer I can’t solve my own problem 🤦🏻‍♀️

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@GeeberK1 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Great, great video. And thank you for the links to additional videos too… VERY HELPFUL!!

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@evtimstefanov8377 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Great video! Thank you Joy!

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@martaantonelli1238 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

I'm gonna help a professional photographer at a wedding, I'm a beginner and that will be my first wedding. I'm a bit nervous about the ceremony, it'll be in a church and I don't really know how to handle this. Do you have any tips?

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@alexsanci9827 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Most kind photographer with useful advice, thanks for sharing your videos.

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@TeddyParker 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Please feel free to add timestamps to your description and then delete my comment so people who wanna come back to this video or go over a single thing twice can do so quickly:
0:45 bonus tip, use a contract
1:15 tip 1, bring a back-up camera
2:10 tip 2, bring friend/family member to hold gear/shot-list
2:45 tip 3, discuss timeline & expectations with the couple
4:00 tip 4, show up early, plan for the unknown (traffic, venue timeline changes, etc)
4:35 tip 5, request a shot list WITH NAMES
5:45 tip 6, plan for low and/or harsh light (practice these lightings beforehand)
7:30 tip 7, back up images IMMEDIATELY, not after a shower or sleeping, and NEVER format cards before back up is achieved

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@shadyninja1 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Don't forget to set your camera to shoot in RAW.
I shot a whole wedding in raw as a 2nd shooter by mistake and fully regretted it.

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@3akoscielski 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Joy: "Always, always use a Con…"
Me: 😮!
Joy: "-tract"
Me: 😅!

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@kaightiemunsch6184 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Connect with your client before. Go over all the detail and get what the clients expectations set for the day. This also makes sure you have discussed timeline so you can get the time needed to meet those set expectations.

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@cheflxvable 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

I was with you until "dont format your memory cards…storage is cheap!" If your getting XQD/CFExpress cards cheap somewhere..thats the info I need!!

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@janfiertam789 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

This is helpful! I am interested in leaning new thing and photography is the most interesting for me. Can you please recommend film camera and lens for beginner? 🙂

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@tubeyouwatcher23 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Love your attention to detail in these vids, they’re so helpful! 🙌

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@tereguzman1010 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Great advice 🙏👏🏻😃 as always, thanks Joy

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@cherriemaytucson9016 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Thanks for your tips, by the way tomorrow I will shoot my first solo wedding (11.14.20) with my own camera, and It helps me to do what I need to do and prepare.

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@chiyamedia3124 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Are you able to make a video on how you come up with the design for your photo albums and how you choose which ones to add in it and how many?

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@randallguinn2017 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

This video was very helpful to me i'm going to be shooting the wedding on the 12th I just graduated from photography School.

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@karinaochoa19 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Just discovered you and immediately subscribed! This video was helpful, and I will be checking out all the other videos you mentioned!

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@elizastewart1084 19 October 2024 - 1:41 am

Ask the Locals! The venue staff probably has seen way more weddings in that particular space than you have. Ask them what the "favorite" spots or images they have seen people love! This also gives you the opportunity to offer to pass along a few images for their website, if they want them. More exposure for yourself and creates a good relationship with the venue that could lead to future referrals!

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