| In the eleventh hour, your best friend who's | | | | Be on the lookout for tight shots of the diamond |
| getting married is in tears. | | | | rings, bouquet of flowers, party favors, textures |
| The professional she hired to photograph her | | | | on the bride's gown et cetera. These will make |
| wedding bailed. You happen to have a digital SLR | | | | good backdrops for albums and backgrounds for |
| and all of a sudden you're it. Here's my survival | | | | DVD menus. These detail pictures will also give |
| guide for you. | | | | you variety in your coverage. |
| 1. Make a "Shot List". | | | | 6. Do as many of the formal group portraits |
| Think of this as your "storyboard." | | | | beforehand. |
| A guide to the different scenes you want to see | | | | If the couple is open to this and don't mind seeing |
| if you were doing a movie. | | | | each other before the ceremony, do as many of |
| This shot list will break down what you might | | | | the formals portraits beforehand. |
| concentrate on in the 3 phases of any wedding: | | | | 7. Enlist the help of Maid-of-honor. |
| preparations, ceremony and reception. | | | | Women like this role more often than men. (Must |
| It's your cheatsheet on the order of the events, | | | | be their maternal instincts) |
| various arrangements for the formal portraits, so | | | | The Maid-of-honor is usually more than happy to |
| go over this with the couple. | | | | help. If you don't hit it off with her, try the Best |
| 2. Shoot lots of candids. | | | | Man. |
| Just because you have everyone bossing you | | | | 8. Establish a rapport with the DJ & Wedding |
| around, telling you to take their picture, it doesn't | | | | Coordinator. |
| mean you have to pose all your subjects in every | | | | Get to know the DJ & Wedding Coordinator. |
| picture. | | | | Being on the same page with both of them |
| 3. Scout out the location. | | | | means you will be scrambling and out of position |
| If the ceremony, reception and preparations are | | | | for the toast, the bouquet toss, the garter toss, |
| all at one location, then you can thank your lucky | | | | the first dance and so on. |
| stars. Count on starting your day with the bride | | | | 9. Be considerate of the other guests. |
| wherever she plans to get dressed. She may do | | | | Even though what you're doing is important, don't |
| this at the church or at home, so count on | | | | be obnoxious. If another guest is in your way, ask |
| knowing the route. | | | | politely for them to move. |
| 4. Borrow or rent a second camera body similar | | | | 10. Don't forget to enjoy yourself. |
| to the one you own. | | | | You can't be expected to be everywhere |
| Since you'll be working quickly, having identical | | | | especially if this is your 1st wedding. Generally |
| camera bodies will allow you change settings | | | | speaking, once the ceremony and the formal |
| faster. Consider renting identical flash units if you | | | | portraits are done, you can catch a breather. The |
| don't have one. Never shoot a wedding with just | | | | rest of the proceedings will not happen without |
| one camera. Always have a backup. If you have | | | | the DJ & wedding coordinator consulting you |
| to rent more memory cards and batteries for | | | | if you followed tip #8. |
| the cameras, do so.It will be worth your piece of | | | | Remember if you're not having fun taking |
| mind. | | | | pictures, your images will reflect that. |
| 5. Shoot closeups or details | | | | |