Producing a unique and exceptional wedding report is almost as difficult as it is rewarding. Once the wedding is over, all the experiences lived by the couple will be reflected in their wedding report, memories of unique moments printed in an album.
But a great report is not just a matter of photographic technique. It must be accompanied by a great communication with the couple and a methodical and very careful planning. If we put these three concepts together and work them correctly, the result has to be quite good.
But let's start at the beginning, with what I consider the fundamentals for a good wedding report. Ultimately, it is a planned process that aims at a good end result combined with an excellent experience, both for the bride and groom and the photographer.
Not everything is technique and style
When a client approaches you to request information, either in person, by phone, or through any other channel, we take it for granted that during the process by which they found us, they have learned about our work and style, and therefore seen liked. That is first.
Practically, if you like our work and the price suits you, we can have a new client. It would be a mistake to think this , things are more complicated, and many other factors are involved.
Connect with customers
Perhaps at this point, where the first contacts and meetings with clients take place, they are the most decisive, and I am not referring in this case to commercial tasks, but to build the first bridges, so that the couple knows our way of working, at the same time that the photographer is interested in what the client is looking for.
There are a series of factors that I consider fundamental:
What our client wants . If we do not start from that base, surely everything that follows will go wrong. It is not a matter of exposing our rehearsed sales pitch, it is a matter of knowing if our work fits with what the client is looking for and their needs.
Dare to ask directly what they are looking for when hiring a photographer. What matters to them and what is secondary to them.
Listen before you speak . Take an interest in the needs of the couple, if any point is not clear to you, ask. Make them see how you will improve their expectations and very importantly, remember the details.
It is very important to be honest with your client, but also with yourself as a photographer, if something does not fit with our style or way of working it is preferable to tell the couple even with the risk of losing the contract, than to say to everyone yes and then being unable to meet expectations.
Show them your portfolio
The mission of seeing your wedding reports with them is none other than knowing what their preferences are in terms of photography. Keep in mind:
Your tastes . What catches their attention in the photographs they see, the colors? The lighting? The framing? The naturalness? The emotion? Ask and begin to know their tastes, what they find interesting and what goes unnoticed.
Explain what you do and why you do it . You have your style, and although you can adapt it to the client's expectations, never do any work that does not fit with the way you see the photograph. Other times you will have to make him see the client, because you do not agree that his choice is the right one (even that of the photographer).
The pre-wedding session
The pre-wedding reports are not just another business opportunity, nor a simple cool report from the couple. It is without a doubt the best way to start working with the bride and groom, get to know each other and start creating that trust that will be necessary for the wedding day.
When doing a pre-wedding photo session , we are going to start working with the couple some aspects:
Lose your fear of the camera . In the vast majority of occasions, the bride and groom have never had a professional photo shoot. It is the moment that they know how it works so that they begin to trust our camera.
Communication . The report will be very good, but do not focus only on the photos, working more time with the client in a relaxed and fun environment will make you know each other better and that they will generate greater confidence in their photographer.
Fundamental concepts . On the wedding day there will be no time for almost anything. If you have to teach them a tip for the photos, the smile, the look or how to look good in the photos this is the time.
Review the work . Take advantage of the result of the pre-wedding session to review it with the couple, in this way we will see together the results that you like the most and what does not convince them. The aim is to continue polishing our style for the big day of your wedding, taking into account your tastes.
I always recommend that you ask the couple which have been their favorite photos of the session and which they have not liked (and why), the criticism is good and it helps us to grow, in addition to knowing better the tastes of the couple.
Photographing wedding
Organize the wedding times with them
As professionals in the sector, we know for a fact that a wedding is made up of many things and the easiest thing is for any of them to fail at the most inopportune moment.
In our case, having to capture the full intensity of the day in images, we must know the times of the wedding day and what is planned for each moment.
Due to our experience (since we are practically the only professionals who are present the entire wedding day), we almost have an obligation to help the couple prepare their wedding schedule with the different providers.
Think that as a photographer you have lived these situations on countless occasions, but the couple has never lived the wedding experience from the bride and groom's perspective, so help them see the best options for schedules, situations, etc. It is almost essential, even knowing that they will always have the last word when deciding.
Let your customers see that:
When a photographer works slowly, the result is better . If we have just enough time for each event, we will always tend to take the essential images for the report. If the photographer has enough time, he will have time to work his creativity in search of more artistic photographs.
Know the time you need for each group . A wedding report can be composed by many people (photos of couples, with family and friends, etc.). Some boyfriends will want to be the protagonists, but there are couples who want everyone who shared their big day to appear. Knowing the size of these groups and how long each mini-session with them can last will help us plan the times.
The bride's friends
One tip: Ask one member of each family to help you bring everyone together. It will be faster and you will avoid the risk of forgetting anyone. Portraits of family and friends can slow down the day a lot and take time away from other moments. However, the couple has the last word in deciding whether or not we take these types of photographs.
Keep in mind the hours of the day and their lighting . It is best to find other times of the day to take your main photos, before taking them in the wrong light.
Who is who for the bride and groom. Another trick, knowing who are the most loved and appreciated people for the couple, will give you an advantage, especially in documentary or emotional photography.
Organize yourself
We have already prepared the bride and groom for the big day, it would be unfortunate if after the effort, something went wrong because of us and especially because of a bad organization.
All your team ready and willing
To cover a wedding day, we need to use a large amount of material. Make sure that everything is in order, that it works correctly, that the batteries are charged and the memories are empty and ready for use.
Don't take just enough time
Arrive early, check the entire work area, look for the best locations and do some test and if you bring a second photographer, tell him what his role is in a previous meeting. Each member of the team has to know their role and the planning of the day.
I sincerely hope these tips are helpful to you. If your future is to continually work and learn to be a great wedding photographer , I think the only magic recipe is work, refine and create our own style and involvement with the final result that the bride and groom expect.
One step further: If you like this article, in later installments I will develop the different scenarios of a wedding and what I consider to be fundamental tips to make an exceptional wedding report .
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