What You Should Know About Shooting a Wedding

Aug 21

In July, I shot a beautiful wedding in Pemberton at the Riverlands Red Barn. The day started off at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler for the first look, progressed to the Riverlands Equestrian, and the ceremony + reception took place at the Riverlands Red Barn down the road. The hora, a fire truck, a horse, mountains, amazing weather, and a beautiful bride and groom — I don't think I could've asked for a more picturesque time! Thanks to Lucy & Marc for the opportunity; I wish you nothing but happiness and I hope you enjoy all the photos!

Shooting a wedding for the first time is challenging.
Shooting it solo is even more so challenging. If you can, hire a second shooter to help you out. Not only will they be able to capture a different perspective, they'll also be able to provide creative input on shots and angles.
Be assertive; the couple is relying on you to arrange group portraits and direct people. In that same vein, don't afraid to take charge and raise your voice with the groups; you might have to round up thirty people for a portrait.
Getting a lot of different shots is important to some couples, but make sure you've got a useable shot before rushing off to the next location.
Roll with the punches. You're going to get thrown some curveballs throughout the day, so make sure you're versatile to shoot in lots of conditions. (See below for shots with a fire truck and a horse)
Make sure you are in position for the wedding kiss.' This is the climax, the singular photo, the memory that will live on in photo albums forever. Do not miss it!
Having said all that, remember to enjoy the moment of being there. You're the storyteller for the couple's biggest day. They've picked you because they trust your creative vision. So, trust your skills, shoot a ton of photos, and have fun!

Below are my highlight shots from the wedding, which feature a variety of shots taken throughout the day.

Have questions about shooting a wedding? Want me to shoot your wedding? Feel free to e-mail me at work@richardalam.com. I'd love to hear from you!