Digital Wedding Photography Photo Workshop

By Kenny Kim

Learn to capture stunning and memorable wedding photographs

You only get one chance to photograph a couple?s dream wedding,and this complete resource is an essential addition to any aspiringor current wedding photographer?s shelf. From brightly lit outdoorweddings to poorly lit evening ceremonies, internationally renownedwedding photographer Kenny Kim offers unparalleled advice forworking with clients, choosing the right equipment, composingbeautiful images, helping your subjects with posing, and much more.Assignments at the end of every chapter encourage you to practiceyour skills and upload your photos to Photoworkshop.com to shareyour images and benefit from constructive critiques.

• Offers a strong understanding of photography?s fundamentals andexplains how they are crucial to capturing memorable weddingimages
• Escorts you through techniques for handling challenges withcontrast, lighting, action, posing, etc.
• Shares insider advice on business basics, post-productionediting, composition, and much more
• Covers lighting and exposure techniques for bright, normal, andlow-light situations, which are common in the world of weddingphotography

Digital Wedding Photography Photo Workshop presentsstunning photography and inspiration for all levels of weddingphotographers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wiley
• Release date: May 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781118098363

Book preview

Introduction

Wedding photography has become one of the most popular types of photography today. Perhaps it is the emergence of affordable digital cameras that have made entry in this industry much more accessible. Or perhaps many of us were not happy with our current job and always looked at photography as a weekend hobby until you attended a friend’s wedding when it hits you like a lightning bolt — that you want to be a wedding photographer. Whatever the reason is, wedding photography is extremely popular. Many of you are diving into the ocean of photography filled with excitement only to realize right away that you need the right set of skills to swim and survive in this industry.

Five years ago while working as a freelance graphic designer and part-time Starbucks barista, I discovered the joy of photography. I made the decision to drop my designer career and give photography a try. One problem — I had no clue where to start or how to go about this business. Fortunately I have been blessed to be surrounded by a great group of photographers that I got to meet early in my career that have helped me to be where I am today. By attending photo workshops; assisting them as a second shooter; and networking at photo conferences like WPPI, Pictage Partner Conference, PDN, Imaging USA, and others, I began to pick up on the nuggets of wisdom that these other talented photographers shared and immediately applied them to my business.

This book, along with my Digital Wedding Photographer’s Planner, was written with the idea of creating the kind of resource I wished I had when starting out. This book covers wedding photography as I practice it, from the gear I use to the methods for taking portraits, discussing different styles, shooting indoors and outdoors, and covering the ceremony and the reception.

Welcome to wedding photography. You are surrounded by a community of people who will help and encourage to you become a better photographer. Use this book as a springboard to help you dive into this profession. Then learn to develop your own style and make your photography and business unique! But, don’t stop there. Continue to explore and discover new ways of doing things. It is perfectly okay to reinvent the wheel. I hope you find being a wedding photographer as rewarding and fulfilling as I have. And most importantly, don’t forget to smile.

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Chapter 1: Wedding Photography Overview

What it takes

Wedding photography is a tough business, and make no mistake, it is a business. Weddings happen every weekend and many weekdays all year long, and the one thing that all the couples need is a good wedding photographer to capture this joyous occasion. Your passion for photography may have led you to this industry, but there is a lot more to being a successful wedding photographer than just taking great photos. You need to be able to find a balance between the creative and the business aspects, and learn how to meet clients and make sure that you understand their expectations. It is also important to be prepared to cover the wedding day itself (see Figures 1-1 and 1-2) and deliver the final products to the clients in a timely manner. So if you are ready, it’s time to look at what it takes to be a successful wedding photographer.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO The ring being placed on the bride’s finger is a key moment in any wedding, and a good wedding photographer will make sure she is in position to capture it. Taken at ISO 2000, f/3.5, 1/50 second.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO The happy newlyweds walking back down the aisle. Taken at ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/400 second.

Your clients are expecting you to capture the day with the same dedication that they have to their wedding. They don’t care that you might be shooting a wedding the weekend before or after, or that you have other clients who need your attention, so finding a balance that keeps everyone happy is important and necessary for you to survive in this industry.

Finding a balance

Many photographers and artists believe that in order to be successful, you only have to possess talent and creativity. While talent and creativity are crucial (see 1-3), they are only half of the picture. One of the most difficult things to do is to find a good balance between the photographing of a wedding and the business side of being a wedding photographer. But like all things in life, there has to be a balance in your business for it to thrive. Focus on one side of the business at a detriment to the other, and things will fall apart.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO Those candid moments before a ceremony has even started can really capture the emotions of the day. Taken at ISO 1600, f/2.8, 1/100 second.

As much as you love spending time on your craft of photography, you need to give yourself time to take a break and to get involved in other activities to improve yourself as a photographer. Your time has to be divided so that you can focus on growing your business, doing client consultation, honing your craft, working on your creativity, handling the postproduction of the wedding images, and marketing your business. You also need to find a balance between your work, family, and social life. Because many weddings fall on the weekends, it can really impact the family life of the wedding photographer. The key is to plan ahead and make sure that you can juggle these things without making too many sacrifices. It sounds impossible but it can be done with careful planning. Shooting multiple weddings on the same weekend, or generally overloading your schedule, will cause you to burn out and worse, can cause your attention to wander from what you are doing. Not being fully focused on the current job, but instead thinking of the next or last job, will result in a half-hearted performance and a delayed response to your clients and delivery dates — which means that you are not serving your customers to the full extent of your ability. Plan to take some time off or spread the jobs out as much as you can to make sure you give the clients your best work as in Figure 1-4.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO Here comes the happy couple. Taken at ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/500 second.

Time management

There never seems to be enough time to get everything done. To be a successful wedding photographer, you need to divide your time wisely, because taking the actual photos is just a small part, granted a very important part, of the business. Using a calendar (or a time-management tool or software) is essential so that you keep your commitments in order, not only in general but also for the actual wedding day.

Some of the things to plan for include:

• Photographing the wedding. The most obvious and important thing to plan is the actual time needed on the wedding day for shooting. You need to make sure that you schedule enough time to capture all the shots you need to, including the details (as in Figure 1-5). Make an effort to plan this out with your couple. Most of your clients are more than happy to listen to your suggestions when planning their day.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO Making sure there is enough time to photograph everything, including details like the bride’s jewelry, at the wedding is important. Taken at ISO 250, f/2.8, 1/500 second.

• Post-processing. Post-processing is important and can take more time than you think. Make sure you schedule enough time so that you can do the best job possible. Many photographers do not take this factor into consideration when coming up with pricing for their photography service. Many clients also do not realize the amount of time you spend making their photos look perfect, like with Figure 1-6, which needed to be slightly cropped. All of this takes time, and it is important to educate them so they understand what the prices for your services cover.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO Each image needs to be looked at and edited in post-production to get the best possible results. This image needed to be cropped slightly to get the best results. Taken at ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/250 second.

• Client meetings. Client meetings are very important and can set the tone for the whole client/photographer relationship. Make sure that you schedule enough time to get to know the clients. This is a good way to determine whether you are a good fit with them. Give them your full attention and listen to what their needs are. The better you understand them, the better job you will do on their wedding day.

• Engagement shoots. These can be a lot of fun and a lot of work all at the same time. They can also take a lot of time and need to be planned well in advance so that the images are given to the couple well before the wedding.

• Travel. I shoot weddings all over the world, and it is key to plan all the travel needed well in advance. You need to factor in your time and travel budget accordingly into your proposal. Also plan to arrive a day or two earlier. It gives you time to settle in and scout out the location, because arriving late or tired can be disastrous!

• Rehearsal dinner. Many times photographing at the rehearsal dinner can result in some great photos but more important, it can create a bond between you and the clients that makes shooting the wedding easier. Keep in mind that your client’s dear friends and close family members will be at this event. Getting to know who they are will help you focus on them when photographing the wedding.

• Continuing education/training. It is important to set aside time to work on improving your skills by attending workshops or other training. (Even reading a good book on wedding photography once in a while is a good idea.)

• Free time/family. Make sure you schedule yourself some time off. Find hobbies that help you take your mind off work. Believe it or not, this is very important for boosting your morale, and it makes you a better photographer.

Creativity versus business

A successful wedding photographer has to walk a tightrope when it comes to dealing with the creative and business sides of the job. To be successful, you can’t ignore either side and need to balance them out evenly. Many people get into photography in general because they are creative and want to create great images like the use of light and repeating patterns in figure 1-7, and there is nothing wrong with this. But unless you have a business manager who takes care of the business side for you, you need to spend time growing and improving your business.

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1-7

ABOUT THIS PHOTO This dress hanging in the window makes a great image by the creative use of the light and patterns. Taken at ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/200 second.

For example, if you take a photography workshop, balance it out by taking a business course. Check out your local community college, where you will find a variety of great business courses. Being the most creative wedding photographer without any clients is not a good business plan, and at the same time, if you put all your efforts toward the business side, the lack of creativity makes the job boring, and chances are you won’t have many clients either.

Part of the business side of photography is dealing with other photographers and vendors, not just your clients. Attend social networking events and meet-ups, or even take the photographers or vendors out for lunch or coffee to find out what their needs are. If I work with other photographers at a wedding, I always make sure to provide them with images from the event so that they can use them to promote their business. Spending time to network with other photographers is also important. You can refer couples to them when you are already booked, and hopefully they do the same for you. You can also partner with other photographers as a second shooter, which is especially useful when you are starting out. I photographed the couple in Figure 1-8 when I was a second shooter at a wedding.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO Working as a second shooter at a wedding will allow you to improve your photography and network at the same time. Taken at ISO 200, f/4, 1/250 second.

Building relationships with vendors, especially those that supply prints or wedding albums, can really help you create complete wedding packages with a wide variety of products. Spend some time talking to the customer reps for products you might want to offer so that you can be knowledgeable when offering services to your clients. Attending big conventions such as WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographer International), Imaging USA, or PhotoPlus Expo is a great way to meet and connect with numerous vendors that you might want to build relationships with. The basic idea is to continue to improve your photography as well as your business at the same time.

Meeting the clients

When starting out, your clients might be friends, friends of friends, or even family members. As you grow your business, clients will come to you from a wide variety of sources: word of mouth, Internet searches, referrals from clients, responses to advertising, and networking. Regardless of where the leads come from, you have to market yourself to be attractive to them.

First impressions

Everyone knows that making a good first impression is important. What might not be so obvious is that you are making this first impression often times unknowingly. The following are all examples of when you might be making a first impression.

• While working. For example, guests sitting at the wedding you are photographing might be looking for their own wedding photographer. As a potential client, they are watching your performance. (There have been many times where the guests approached me at the end of the day to inquire about my services because they were pleased with the way I conducted myself on that day.)

• Web site. The wedding guests or friends might hear of you and decide to do an Internet search. These days, potential clients can read customer reviews about your performances on Web sites such as Yelp. That is why it is of the utmost importance to have a good Web site, professional marketing materials, a professional appearance, a good personality, and a great attitude. These are all factors when it comes to attracting your clients.

• Appearance. The idea that you should dress for success is important, both when you are meeting the clients for the first time and when shooting their wedding, as you can see from Figures 1-9 and 1-10. If you show up dressed casually, you are sending a casual message; if you show up dressed well, the clients will know that you are serious about what you do and that you are taking them seriously. This also goes for your appearance when you are shooting the actual wedding because every guest is a potential client or referral.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO Dressing well and having a professional appearance lets clients know that you take this day as seriously as they do. Here, I am directing the bride and groom. Taken at ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/640 second. Photo credit: Jenn Gaudreau

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO It is important to stay out of the way, while still making sure I cover the event thoroughly (and look professional doing it). Taken at ISO 1600, f/4.0, 1/100 second. Photo credit: Brandon Springer

Building a relationship with your clients is essential to being a great wedding photographer. It starts with the first meeting and continues long after the happy couple has their images. Keep in mind that many of your past clients are the ones to bring you your new clients.

Realistic expectations

It would be nice to think that you will book every prospective client who inquires about your services. However, it is important to know and accept that this will not happen (nor should you attempt to).

When you meet with prospective clients, they are trying to see if you are able to meet their needs and be the wedding photographer they want to capture their special day. This works both ways, and you should use that first meeting with them to see if the clients are a good fit for the way you work. It is much better to realize up front that for some reason the relationship just isn’t going to work and that the couple should find a photographer better-suited for their needs.

Determining if the client-photographer relationship is a good fit starts with listening to the clients’ needs and communicating what it is that you provide for them. If your shooting style is photojournalistic, and the clients want old-fashioned classic-looking images, you are probably not the right photographer for the job. If they are looking for vibrant colors and you tend to shoot in black and white, then they will not be happy with the final product. On the other hand, if the clients have already checked out your Web site or seen your work because you shot a friend’s or family member’s wedding, chances are they already love your work and want to find out if you are available on their date. The key is to effectively communicate to them what you provide by discussing your style and showing them through your portfolio.

The importance of client communication

Honesty is very important when it comes to the client- photographer relationship. You need to listen to what your clients want and then tell them what it is you do. As the wedding photographer, you job is to fill a particular need and fill it to the best of your ability. If they want a service that you can’t provide, make sure they know that up front, or their disappointment when you don’t deliver the service they expected can damage the relationship and is likely to cost you work in the future with lost referrals. Use examples of your work to show what it is you do and to give the prospective clients an idea of your skill and style. If they are getting married in a church, show images that they can relate to, like Figure 1-11, so that they can see themselves in your work.

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ABOUT THIS PHOTO Using examples that closely match what the bride and groom are looking for will help you both be on the same page. Taken at ISO 3200, f/2.8, 1/60 second.

Ask the clients for a list of what they are requesting and work together to determine if it is possible for you to address everything on it. This includes the events you will cover, the times you are expected to be there, and what type of products they can receive after the wedding. It will also cover the use of second photographers or assistants, travel costs, and any other factors involved in photographing the wedding. It is a very good idea to be as specific as possible and to write these things into a contract, because this is business after all. Even if the clients are friends or family, they are also now clients, and a contract is not only professional, but also it