Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

 The last part of the day where most of the fun happens. Just like the ceremony, the reception is pretty much beyond your control. In general, here are key shots to remember:

 Unlike photographing a wedding ceremony where the majority of the guests just sit and stand, the reception lets people move more. Unless it’s part of the program like cake cutting or the first dance, the reception is filled with opportunities for you to take candid photos.

 Take a step back and observe where the fun is happening. Is it on the dance floor or photobooth area? If you hear people laughing and chatting over at a table, head over to that area to get authentic smiles.

 Being a wedding photographer means you can pick up on little, unexpected moments. Be on the lookout for situations that no one else might notice but will certainly make a good memory for the couple.

 Some wedding photographers still struggle with composition. During your first time shooting a wedding, you might experience some common challenges.

 Take an extra minute to pause and examine your composition before snapping the photo. Make sure there aren’t any major distractions in the shot. If there are, look for different angles that you can shoot the scene from instead.

 To give you a fresh perspective, look at existing frames at the venue. This means elements like a window or an archway that serve as the background. Architectural elements can balance the composition and add symmetry to photos.

 Another great way to take creative shots of the couple is by using guests as a foreground framing device to give more context. In this way, you can also show how people react or pay attention to the ceremony.

Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

 For instance, look for the parents or siblings and capture the moment they wipe their tears during the couple’s exchange of vows. You can also anticipate the guests’ reactions when the couple is about to cut their cake!

 During weddings, one of your goals is to move–fast! Even if you need to take close-up shots of guests, do it in a respectful manner that won’t disturb or annoy people. Also, turn on your camera’s silent shutter mode if you have that function to minimize noise when you take pictures.

 Practice shooting before the big day, especially if you’ll be using a new camera or lens for the first time. Read articles or watch videos about wedding photography. If time permits, you can even go to the actual venue and take some photographs.

 Do you have the gear you need to make the photographs you plan to make? Maybe you want to make macro photographs of the couple’s rings, but don’t own a macro lens. Plan ahead to purchase or rent one!

 Have plenty of memory cards (or film), batteries, and backup equipment. Even the latest and greatest camera can fail when you least expect it. Be prepared with a second camera and lens(es). Make sure this backup gear is accessible while you’re shooting – not hidden away in the back of your car. That won’t do you any good if your camera zonks out midway through the ceremony!

 One of the worst things that can happen while photographing a wedding is running out of memory card space or having a battery die. This is something overlooked by beginners, which results in them scrambling during the event to charge a battery or delete photos.

 You can’t ask for the officiant or coordinator to wait for you while you charge, so bring at least two fully charged batteries, as well as multiple memory cards. While it’s okay to charge a battery during an event, make sure that you still have another battery to use so you can continue with the wedding photography.

 Use a wide angle lens for group shots and interiors and a different one with a longer focal length for candid and portrait shots. If you can’t bring two cameras with you, your best option is to take two lenses with varying focal lengths. Practice changing lenses fast because it can save you precious time.