Weddings are an exciting time for the bride, groom and their family. It’s when all the hard work of weeks, months or even years comes together and they can finally enjoy their big day. This is why it is crucial for wedding photographers to be on top of their game and capture the best images possible. Whether you are just starting out in the wedding photography business or you have been shooting professionally for awhile, there is always room to improve and evolve your skill set.

Before the wedding starts, you should have an open conversation with your client to understand what they are hoping for from their photos. They might want a lot of heartfelt, candid shots or they may prefer a more curated collection that captures the grandeur of their ceremony and reception. Knowing what they want will help you determine if their requests are within your capabilities and will ensure that you deliver exactly what they are looking for.

You should also make a list of the essential shots for the wedding, including the groom’s first look at the bride in her dress, emotional family moments, the bridal party getting ready, and the flower girl walking down the aisle. Also, it is important to have a plan for the group pictures and couples portraits. Lastly, you should consider what lighting style they are looking for. Light photos tend to be more romantic and soft, while dark photos are more dramatic and sometimes even haunting.

While you’re working through your list of 'basics', it is also important to experiment with creative shots that will stand out from the rest. You can do this by experimenting with different angles. For example, try capturing the same shot from low down or from high up. This will add a different dimension to your images and can create stunning, eye-catching photographs.

It’s also a good idea to get in some practice with more artistic shots, such as taking pictures of small objects alone – for instance, a shoe or a lipstick. You can use these pictures as a way to express your creativity, as well as evoke emotions in your audience.

When it comes to weddings, there are often a lot of moving parts, and it can be difficult to keep track of everyone’s schedule. To save yourself time and frustration, have a team member help you coordinate the details. This will give you more time to focus on your photography and ensure that all the key shots are captured.

Another important thing to remember is to have a backup set of equipment with you at all times. This includes both cameras and lenses. It is not uncommon for weddings to be delayed or pushed back, and having an extra camera and lens will give you the flexibility you need to get the photos that you want without compromising on quality.

In addition to having a backup, it is also helpful to have plenty of memory storage and battery capacity available on your camera so that you can safely save every single image that you take. Every photographer can tell you horror stories of lost or deleted photos, so it’s important to be cautious and back up everything.