How to Survive as a Wedding Photographer

So you want to be a wedding photographer?

Here is a guide to obtaining a job as an official wedding photographer, how to lock in the date, prepare for, and execute a successful day of wedding photography. 

·      Initial Phone interview: Ask for Date, Times, Venues, Names, Phone no., email. Check availability. Send them to website if they haven’t already seen it. Make appt for portfolio review.

·      Portfolio Review: Show examples of all types of shots taken. Show an actual bride’s album, parent albums. Show big pictures. Ask about them and their wedding day. Take notes. Be enthusiastic. Suggest timing, schedule and flow of the day based on experience. Outdoor lighting needs for formals. Educate them. Give paperwork showing all price breakdowns. Give them a package price estimate according to their preferences. Explain contract and payment plan. 3 most important variables when choosing a photographer — photo style, personality, budget.

·      Contract: Both parties sign, have copies. Receive down payment (1/3 total) to hold date and confirm agreement. Balance due by day of event.

·      Two weeks before event: Call, go over schedule, procedures, website, CD, album. Get directions, parking details. Remind about meals and balance due.  Exchange cell numbers.

·      Day before: Charge all batteries, re-format cards, check and pack equipment including (at least) 2 cameras, 2 flashes, multiple lenses including 24-70mm zoom and 70-300mm zoom, fixed lenses as well. Rechargeable (Quantum) batteries with chords to run flashes and 20 plus rechargeable AA batteries for flashes. 4 gig cards are quite useful. Addt’l charged camera batteries. Tripod, Reflectors, lens cleaners, battery checker, any flash accessories, Studio lighting & accessories if necessary, extension chords. You’ll be adding more to this.

·      Wedding Day: Arrive early. Scout location for formals. Greet and getting ready shots (30 mins), Formals- Natural light/flash fill, reflectors, gobo, shade, etc. w/ B&G, Family, Wedding Party. Fun shots, romantic/scenic, walk, creative portraits, wide open lens (allow 1 hour) Allow 30 min. break before ceremony.  Outdoor ceremony free reign, no flash. Indoor limit flash, natural light, unobtrusive. Bounced flash for reception, natural light. Cocktail candids, 2 photographers for events of day, Check in with band/DJ not to miss anything. Shoot a lot of everything. Wide open. Lenses and perspectives. Try slow shutter speed shots. Check batteries and cards before each major event. Delete duds as you go to save time later. Remember how to get home. Charge batteries.

Read More on Tony's Website with photography basics and tips

Canby and Richard's Engagement Photographs

Canby and Richard's engagement photography session took place at Appleford in Villanova, Pennsylvania. This is one of our favorite venues for engagement,  wedding, and event  photography. There are so many beautiful spots and fabulous backgrounds. Of course when you have a fun-loving couple to photograph like Canby and Richard— you just can't miss! For portraiture, posed and unposed, and journalistic candid photography, we mix natural light with the sparkle of your young love to create digital images, photo enlargements, engagement and wedding albums that your grandchildren will cherish. Let us capture your bliss. 

Alison and Nate's Outrageously Beautiful Wedding Day

Alison and Nate were married at The Old Mill in Media, Pennsylvania. Alison is a calm and collected yoga instructor and Nate is a musician. This was a very cool wedding! Getting Ready shots of the bridesmaids were captured at Alpenhof Bed and Breakfast, just down the road a piece. The groom and groomsmen awaited the arrival of the women at The Old Mill. One of us accompanied the bride, her mom, and the bridesmaids, while the other hung out and captured the groom and his party. The bride and groom saw each other for the first time (as bride and groom), upon arrival.  We documented this moment and then began the Formals. As you can see they are what we call "Relaxed Formals," in accord with Alison and Nate's style.  The Old Mill is a perfect place for a secluded, outdoor ceremony in the woods and an indoor/outdoor reception. What a terrific venue for a  September wedding! The ceremony was followed by cocktails and an incredibly lively reception, highlighted by the performance of the groom and his band. The crowd rocked out and we were thrilled to be there to capture and document in stunning wedding and event photography this joyful celebration of love, harmony, and commitment.

Bridget & Danny's Engagement Photography

Here's Bridget and Danny's engagement photography session on the Bryn Mawr College campus. We will be photographing their wedding in April at the William Penn Inn in  Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania. This couple is so loving and comfortable together and so easy to photograph. And what a wonderful location!

These are our signature Creative Portraits. We find the nicest light, background, and people (the family and wedding party, of course.) While they are chatting and waiting to be photographed more formally, one of us starts shooting these candid portraits, capturing the mood, chemistry and dynamic among family and friends. Our clients love having these timeless images which so reflect the personality and spirit of their loved ones.