Summary

• Background

• The 16x9 Hero Shot

• Scout Trips 

• The Dirty Single Shot

• Contracts

• Timeline

• Get Help

Background

My photography career began in college, where I shot weddings to pay tuition. I shot roughly 20 weddings a year for five years, mostly on film.

San Luis Obispo was and is such a hot destination for couples that the field of wedding photography chose me rather than the other way around. My experience, starting out assisting and then shooting on my own, coupled with my formal education, was a perfect match. In class, I learned the theory, history, and psychology behind great images, whereas, in the field, I learned technical knowledge and business workflow. I knew I was lucky to be here from day one of assisting, even though I was hauling c-stands up 20ft sand dune.

In 2005 I stepped away from weddings and committed fully to a brand-focused photography career. In 2022 however, I have had the pleasure of returning to my roots for a few friends who got hitched. The experience has been eye-opening.

Armed with the knowledge of shooting weddings in my twenties and a unique skill set in commercial photography, I approached these weddings with a different perspective, gear and ease, creating stunning images and a piece of mind for all parties involved.

Below are several action items and techniques from my fashion photography experience that I translated to wedding photography.

The Six Techniques

1) The 16x9 Hero Shot

A fashion or lifestyle shoot is all about the hero shots. There are full-day photoshoots, albeit rare these days, that center around a single hero shot. Weeks before the shoot, fashion photographers visualize, scout, sketch, discuss and plan logistics centered around a single image(s). My technique is to prepare for a broad, 16x9 horizontal shot. If I can fine-tune everything between those frame lines, adapting to a tighter or even a vertical image is relatively seamless.

Wedding photographers are mainly hired for coverage of an event rather than for creating specific images that represent that event. That's why the pricing model centers around a photographer's time during an event first and their vision second.

Everyone expects both types of shooters to capture the unplanned and serendipitous moments when they arise. Still, I believe the best wedding photographers also find opportunities to create stunning, well-planned hero shots. My point is not to wait for inspiration to see you at the moment. Walk the property days before, talk to the couple, track the sun's path, and ideate for 1-5 stunning hero shots. Prioritize those shots and capture what you can, depending on how the event unfolds. Having a plan for several shots will also skyrocket your creditability as an expert to those who watch you take control and have a plan. How many times during a wedding are photographers asked, "What should we do? Where do you want us?" It's the photographer's job to have several ideas in your back pocket, ready to go.

2) Scout Trip

A scouting trip if I shoot on location is a priority, even if I have previously shot at the same property with the same client. Walking the site and discussing the day shot by shot pays dividends in terms of the quality of work and time efficiency. It's more important than coffee on a set; Yeah, I said it.

When I signed up to photograph a friend's wedding earlier this year, I jumped at the opportunity to attend the rehearsal. The rehearsal allowed me to familiarize myself with the location, plan where I was going to set my gear, identify any potential problems, visualize my shots and, more importantly, ingratiate myself to the wedding party. By the time of the wedding day, there were no strangers behind the camera or in front, making everything, including the shots, much more fun. Show up to rehearsal. It's 30min of your time and will save you hours on the back end.

3) The Dirty Single Shot

I have never seen a photograph that was made more interesting by shooting at eye level. I learned this early in my career; however, as you experiment with angles, you also experiment with layers.

If I can take a clean two-shot, I almost always shot two dirty single shots; layer and obscure someone or something between the subject and the camera. This method is known as a dirty shot in cinema. 

When done right, the camera takes the perspective of someone in the crowd, strengthening the connection between the image and the viewer. This technique adds a layer of emotional context and cinematic composition.

4) Contract

In the wedding photography field, this issue seems to be more prevalent. It shocks me how many professional photographers work without a contract. I did, too, at the early stages of my career because I was stupid and timid.

Your scope of work is the most crucial part, though not the only reason you should have one. A well-worded, simple agreement protects all parties involved. It specifically outlines what is expected of you, the client, and when your obligation is fulfilled.

Message me, and I will give you my current template if you need it.

5) Timeline

When someone hires me for a shoot, I always submit a timeline, a sequence of events leading up to the final delivery of images, and video edits. This timeline is a marked-up calendar in a PDF for more complex projects. At the same time, in other instances, it's one line in an email.

ex. " Friday, June 13th, all final selected images will be delivered, retouched via Dropbox for review. Additional revisions are billed on a case-by-case...etc. "

An agreed-upon timeline greatly benefits photographers as it adds much-needed structure to the days between a project's milestones.

6) Get Help

Lastly, don't be afraid to hire 2nd and 3rd shooters. On my fashion and lifestyle shoots, any b-roll or secondary shots for social media I usually delegate to another photographer whom I bring on, or an assistant looking to gain some experience. I do this to lighten the workload, manage my energy during a long day, and enable me to focus on the images that make the most impact for my client.

Delegate much of the coverage portion of a wedding shoot so you can focus on creating stunning quality work. Remember those hero shots I mentioned? Even if it cuts into your margins a bit, it will allow you to walk away with better portfolio pieces and more of them. The result of which, in turn, will enable you to book more shoots at a higher price point. Hiring help is an investment, not a cost. And, not for nothing, but not being completely exhausted at the end of the night is nice too.

I hope you enjoy this little two-part series. The first installment, "6 Crucial Lessons Fashion Photographers Need To Learn From Wedding Photographers." is also posted here on LinkedIn. [Link]