I do portraits now and I can't tell you how many times I've gotten comfortable taking photos full open and when I have an opportunity to take pictures of a big group I don't stop down. this is optimal for those crispy shots.
Great tips! I just shot my first wedding last weekend. It was a small one but the pre communication was key. The couple and I were on the same page and it made the day flow so smooth. I wish I would of documented the shot list instead of just winging it but I will do it next time. Thanks!!!
John, I've been shooting weddings for 6 years now, and during this time I've always tried to improve, always strived to get better. I've seen countless, countless videos talking about how to shoot weddings and how you need to do this and that, and NONE of them really taught me anything or provided some insight. All I've ever learned was the hard way, through experience and many many shoots. I was really interested in hearing out what you had to say when I saw your upload. My mind was BLOWN brother! You managed to touch on and explain how to avoid every hard lesson I had to learn all those years, and while I didn't learn anything new, I got confirmation that how I approach my weddings is the right way. You can't believe how much strength your videos give me to keep on going, keep preaching!! Thank you!!!
@@FotisAthanasopoulos SO SOOOO AWESOME! Thanks for sharing and I'm glad that I'm able to confirm what you've already learned. It's hard sometimes when all you see/hear is everyone talking about gear and things but then you know you take a different approach to things. Keep doing great work!
Exposure triangle, understand your camera setting, shoot raw, backup of your gear, 1) communicate before wedding, meet couple and talk to know what they want 2) plan your timeline and photos (zooms, wide, closeup etc ) 3) list for family portrait (names, people combinations) 4) f stop down for group photos (f3.2) 5) use single point auto focus and move it around 6) pay attention to background, remove distractions eg: water bottles etc 7) be in control, decide by yourself dont take extra suggestions.
@@jusunas it went well. These tips definitely helped! I think the hardest thing isn’t necessarily the photography, but making sure you’re communicating well and rolling with the punches. There were a lot more unexpected scenarios than I thought there would be.
I haven't done any weddings in YEARS, but enjoyed hearing your suggesting. One thing that I used to request of my couples is that they ask a family member to assist me; maybe even one from each side of the family (bride's & groom's). Their role was to round up all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, etc. and have them available for the family portraits. That family member would definitely know much better than I would, who was who, and could wrangle them for me according to the time schedule that I provided them, allowing me and my assistant to keep the photos moving as quickly as possible. It always worked like a charm.
Some great tips! One huge one for us is making sure we visit the venues prior to the wedding, and if possible with the couple so you can talk things through there. The best plan is to attend the rehearsal if you can. This also means you can work out lighting, rain contingencies etc prior to the actual event.
Yeah this is clutch advice. I've been shooting weddings for well over a decade, and started doing this more the past couple years. It makes foreshadowing ideas and shots and planning light coverage so much easier.
i was thinking about going in stealth alone to know what i'm doing but i like the idea to go with the couple or maybe even just the planner or something. Thanks for the idea.
Exact same thing here. I'm sixteen and my old teacher just messaged me and asked if I could jump in in the place of a wedding photographer who was supposed to come next week
@@hannahallen8779 Good Luck!! Really don't be afraid of asking people to move around a little for better composition/light!! Especially during group photos. You can take a couple of pictures in the location they wanted but if you have a better vision don't mind bossing them around just a little. I realised while editing the pictures just how big of a differense good light from the beginning really makes, it was so much faster in the editing process than with some other pictures!
Excellent tips, love the 80% customer service comment. I feel like a lot of times people/videos focus so much on the technical aspect, and forget the human factor.
Can’t thank you enough for all of your informational videos. You’re the man!! I have been mostly hobby photographing for a couple years in my free time. I’m doing my fourth wedding today and I still find myself searching for tips. I’m loving your channel! Amazing tips.
Spot on! These points are so important! The timeline stuff is so vital to get right. Make sure the couple understand how much time they need to leave between the wedding day's milestones.
This video is GOLD. Packed with great tips, and not a bunch of empty fluff like most YT content. Thank you for getting right to your points, and giving really helpful explanations, and examples. I'm probably at least six months from even considering jumping into photography for pay, as I still need to really master the basics, but seeing this video helps me to understand at least some of what I don't yet understand. The largest impact tip for me is probably the 80% customer service tip. I totally get how important that will be.
I want to say thanks for the run down of what to do. I have been shooting for 7 years but only recently started to shoot weddings. Having two weddings now under my belt and I can say that the advice is spot on and I wish I knew that beforehand.
your videos are top notch and so helpful. I have been in school/dance/group photography for 40 years and let one of my long term customers talk me into photographing her son's wedding. I've been watching your videos and taking notes to be sure that the day goes well and that they get great memories that they will enjoy for years to come.
On focus/recompose, becoming familiar with back button focus changed my game considerably. Makes everything so much easier and once you master it, you'll never know how you lived without it.
I was a wedding photographer for 17 years and got out of the business. Now that I’m fully retired I am revisiting going back into the business. Great advice to beginners and it even reminded me on a few dos and don’ts. The only thing I like to add is not to take pictures at the reception while people are eating.
Thank you so much for sharing and your added tip is a great one. It’s something I do as well. Aside from if the couple is doing something, right when the food comes out basically is a small break for myself.
Great video John. Only one thing though pertaining to continuous AF 100% of the time. As a wedding photographer who shoots Sony, I do shoot in continuous AF 90% or more of the time because the Sony bodies do have the face registration feature where you are able to register the face of the bride and the groom so the camera does place AF priority on them if they are in the frame. This is especially handy for any shots that are not stationary like ceremony entry & exit, couples walking from or away from the camera, you moving, first dances, and other fast moving reception and final exit shots.
This is great, my friend asked me if I could be her wedding photographer, im a little overwhelmed. I have never done portraits or anything really with people. I'm more of a landscape and astrophotography kind of gal. So this video helps so much. The wedding is in 3 weeks so I best get to practicing street/portrait photography.
Hi there! Just wanted to say your content and photography is amazing! Shooting my first wedding here in a few weeks. I've been watching your videos over and over and over for the past few months! Looking forward to getting better!
Binge watching your videos. Just did 1st engagement shoot and the wedding is the end of November. Definitely communication, this makes all the difference.
Thank you for this video! Not only does it have very good info, but also knowing about photography and your camera BEFORE going into wedding photography is something a lot of people don't talk about! I've seen so many people say "we all start somewhere" ... true, but a wedding is not a place to practice. People should know more than just the basics. The should have a camera more than just 3 months before doing weddings! This is a great video and I will watch your other videos today! I also followed you on Insta!
That's just another 20 mins that I'm supposed to be working but watching a valuable content of yours instead. It's worth it! haha. Doing my first prenup + wedding in a few days. Thanks bruh!
I've never seen a more organized video than this. Love your notes with links for resources. You must be a joy to work with and hell to live with lol. Thanks for the help. Peace.
Amazing tips man thank you ! One that springs to my mind immediately is pre scouting the location from the church , the reception and surrounding area beforehand as you have weeks if not months before the day. Even bring sons friends along and take test portraits to see what works
I agree with all your tips 100%. I have bumped into the divorced parents situations, and other people trying to control your work, etc. Also about knowing your equipment by heart because almost every single wedding they will be running late and everything happens on the fly.
I've never photographed a wedding, but a friend has asked me to photograph a rehearsal dinner. I ran across this video while doing some research and I really enjoyed how you presented the information. I definitely learned some things that should help me out in the future.
Awesome content dude, I love how it's very descriptive, using personal experiences and insight and you're not afraid to express the truth of wedding photography. I have my first wedding gig coming up next month as a second shooter, this video definitely helped me out a lot in my preparation.
@@jbivphotography thanks brotha, I just finished watching your behind the scenes wedding photography. The hour went by so quickly. Yeah, you should definitely do it up, it would be super helpful for less experienced photographers to get their careers going.
Such valuable info! I've always been somewhat interested in wedding photography and this brought a lot of insight on what's involved and how to shoot them. Cheers!
Thank you so much for this.. some of these things really helped us with handling our wedding photography.. hope we could do this on the wedding day smoothly..
My first wedding is the next month and I’m happy to find your video, I appreciate your help which you took your time to explained us everything ❤️ I’m watching from Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
I'm going to be shooting my cousin's wedding this weekend so excited and nervous I've been doing family get togethers and doing photography using different camera filters with my daughter and they always come out great. A wedding is on another level thank you so much for the tips! Love your videos
Thank you for your hard work to provide this valuable content for us that are just getting started on the journey of wedding photography. I am a Fuji shooter as well and your videos are the ones I can relate to the most. Keep it up man!
Thank you SO MUCH for all of this!! I was hired to do my first professional photography gig, which of course is a wedding. So definitely feeling pressure, and I'm so thankful for your content and all the other amazing content I'm able to find to help me 🙏 Truly, THANK YOU.
John, awesome job on the video. You nailed it. I started in 1981 with X-700 Minolta and switched to Canon (2-5DIIs and 1-5DIV). Love doing Weddings, besides other events, and preparing for them it's 50% of the photographer's homework. Yo want everything to go smooth and for the couple to trust you. If not, you'll see it on the photographs. Looking forward to other videos, experience-sharing, ideas and suggestions. Best!
Extremely helpful video. All things I never thought about. I’ve been thinking about diving into weddings, but I’m very nervous, so this was perfect! Thank you! 😁
I’m shooting my first wedding/elopement today and I’m relieved that I had thought do most of these things like the detailed shot list, asking about parents status names etc. Do wish I’d found your page sooner tho 😊
I do all kinds of photography, but not weddings. My vision is not that good, and most everything I can handle, but I know I could miss something at a wedding. I admire what you guys do!
Really appreciate it! Loved the comments on the auto and manual focus. As well as background and lighting. See a few more videos in my future 🤙well done
Very timely - my first wedding tomorrow. Am going visit venue today to see my working site and prep in mind. Never done formal events. Thanks for your tips. Look forward trying wedding. And I guess I need some good rest before event.
Totally agree with your comments about street photography and would love to see a video on this subject. Also, do you share your street photography anywhere?
So true! The "soft skills" as I like to call them are paramount. Most of the best wedding photographers that I have met are ok or decent photographers but incredible at the customer service and instilling confidence in them and making people feel good.
YEEEEESSSS!!! This is the truest. The soft skills are what’s MOST important when it comes to any customer facing style of photography. And just like you’re saying the photographer’s who are out here getting the most work, and have the best word of mouth and such overall honestly aren’t always the best photographers. Honestly I don’t even think I’m like “top caliber” photographer. But the soft skills are what sell.
hahah gonna shoot my first wedding this saturday! great timing! though ive been a subscriber a long time, i dont really shoot weddings, im scared of doing events haha. im a travel and portrait photographer and this is my first wedding shoot. thanks
my first wedding shoot was back in 2007-2008, it's really important to know everything on the camera settings from exposure , to know how slow shutter speed one can use on a focal length. Jpg is ok, as long you can nail the exposure right, remember shooting raw means extra step in PP.
I'm going to have my first photography wedding in just for days, my neighbor ask me to take a photo of them. I'm so nervous on what to do so I searched on YT and found your channel, I felt relieve watching your vids.
Out of all of the tips making your own timeline in my opinion makes the BIGGEST difference on a wedding day. It’s why I always do it and have been for about 3 years now.
Good points, haven't done a wedding yet but have done events where you don't control the flow of events, i.e. the event needs to move forward on time, like you are a fly on the wall, and what you have pointed out is spot on. If you haven't taken 10s of thousands of photos on a proper manual camera (pro/semi pro) and know how to adjust it, don't take on a wedding, it is a big job.
I'm shooting a wedding this upcoming week for my cousin and it's special on many levels. Watching this, like another viewer to get ready on another level and give my best. Thanks a million!
Nice! Been filming weddings for years. Doing commercial photography, studio, portraits, event photography, but never wedding photography. Photographing my first wedding next month. Shooting with Fuji’s too, so this was clutch. Thanks for reaffirming!
Excellent video John. Doesn’t matter what you shoot there are brill too tips here. I’ve shot 3 small weddings this year all went well but I can certainly improve with better planning. Only tips I can think of is plenty of batteries and SD cards.
You are so confident. I admire that. I would be a nervous wreck on the first day of wedding shoot. So you are right, not everyone can be a wedding photographer.
Thank you so much that was very very informative and I learned so much from this video I’m going to shoot a very modest wedding in March 2022 and I am so happy I came along and found this video this is such a blessing for me to know these things I feel more confident and in control what I need to do and I do know my camera very well my settings which is very important as you expressed thank you again my friend I have subscribe to your channel
I appreciate this video, I'm doing my first wedding on Friday and I'm a bit on the nervous side (shot with the bride in the past, she loves my work, but still its a new area). So I appreciate this.
Once again another great lesson , video and awesome teaching. So I currently have my Fuji X-T4 with 16-80mm and I just ordered a fuji 35mm 1.4, and I ordered a EF to FX fringer Pro 2 for my 50mm 1.8 and 10-18mm and 24mm and my 55-250mm, I did not want to loose all those lenses. KEH has been superhelpful and I used your 5% code, also got Honey book up and running and my website with square space. Used all the discount codes , thank you John for helping me set my business up In the right way.
Loved this video. I've been an amateur photographer for 15 years now and want to make it my career. This video had some great tips, exactly what I was looking for!
THANKS SO MUCH I learned so much! I'm just starting out so I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge! And you seem totally cool too! Oh and I love your photos!
Brilliant advice John. My sister in law asked me to do her wedding, as I like taking pictures lol She knows it won't be like if an professional done it, but I am confident. Your video's help me a lot.
My coworker insisted that I do hers, even tho I’m a beginner with only 2 baby showers and a few portraits under my belt. Even still, I’m very nervous. I’m glad I saw this video and has given me a base to stand on.
