As a wedding photographer, you have one of the most important jobs on a client's wedding day: capturing the memories that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. It's a big responsibility, but also an incredibly rewarding one. To help you make the most of your role and in anticipation of WPPI's upcoming expo in Vegas, we've put together a list of the top ten tips for wedding photographers.
1) Plan Ahead: Make sure you have a clear understanding of the timeline and schedule for the day. Talk to the couple and the wedding planner well in advance to ensure you're on the same page and know where you need to be at all times.
2) Scout the Location: If possible, visit the wedding venue ahead of time to get a sense of the lighting, layout, and any potential challenges you might face. If you can visit around the same time of day as the event, this is ideal. Knowing where to photograph and having an efficient path to follow will help you capture better images while keeping your clients on schedule. 
3) Build Rapport: Connect with the bride and groom on a personal level to help them feel more relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera. Spend time asking them about who the most important people are in their lives or if there are special items like like a ring from their grandmother that they would like to showcase. This will make for more natural, authentic and meaningful photos.
4) Have a Shot List: While it's important to capture candid moments, having a list of must-have shots will ensure that you don't miss any important moments or family members.
5) Know Your Equipment: Knowing your equipment is crucial to success. Pack your camera bag with all the essentials, including backup batteries, memory cards, and a cleaning kit.
6) Stay Calm: Weddings can be stressful, but it's important to remain calm and collected throughout the day. Your demeanor can have a big impact on the couple and their guests.
7) Use Natural Light: Whenever possible, use natural light to create beautiful and flattering photos. If you do need to use flash, practice ahead of time to avoid harsh shadows or overexposure.
8) Back Up Your Data: When you're dealing with precious footage, it's paramount to have multiple backups. This means shooting duplicate files to dual cards and having a redundant backup system in place where your files reside in multiple places. Several professionals suggest starting the card backup process as soon as possible, even between the ceremony and reception. Consider investing in a high-quality hard drive, like the Glyph Atom RAID Portable Rugged SSD to ensure your photos are safe and secure.
9) Capture Emotion: The most memorable wedding photos are the ones that capture genuine emotion. Look for those special moments between the bride and groom, and their loved ones.
10) Keep It Simple: Sometimes, the simplest photos are the most beautiful. Don't overcomplicate things by trying to be too creative or experimental.
With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to capturing your most stunning work that your client's will treasure for a lifetime. Remember, weddings are all about love, so don't forget to let that shine through in your work.
