Common Wedding Photographer Mistakes We See as Photo Editors

As photo editors, we’ve worked with millions of wedding photos, and trust us - some mistakes keep popping up. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned photographer, here are some common slip-ups we’ve seen and, more importantly, how to avoid them to level up your game!

1. Missed Key Moments

   The problem: Not enough shots during big moments - like the ring exchange or first look. If someone blinks or is out of focus, that moment has gone forever.
   Pro tip: Use continuous shooting mode for key moments. You’ll have plenty of options to choose from and guarantee you capture the magic.

2. Backlighting Gone Wrong

   The problem: Shooting directly into the light can result in washed-out photos or lost details.
   Pro tip: Learn to master backlighting! Proper exposure and tools like reflectors or fill flash can save your shot.

3. Not Preparing for Lighting Changes

   The problem: From bright outdoor ceremonies to dim receptions, wedding lighting is tricky. Poor preparation leads to overexposed or underexposed photos.
   Pro tip: Scout the venue and bring gear for every lighting situation. Adjust settings on the fly to get perfect exposure every time.

4. Dirty Lenses

   The problem: Smudges and dust can mess with focus and sharpness, especially in low-light settings.
   Pro tip: Keep your lenses clean! Check them regularly, especially before important shots.

5. Overusing Wide-Angle Lenses

   The problem: Wide-angle lenses are great for capturing the scene but can distort your subjects and lose intimacy.
   Pro tip: Mix it up! Use medium and close-up shots to capture emotions and details, creating a balanced gallery.

6. Lazy Composition

   The problem: Shooting with tilted horizons or too much clutter, thinking you can fix it later with cropping, often results in lower-quality images.
   Pro tip: Get it right in-camera! Align horizons, avoid clutter, and be mindful of the background. This saves you time in editing and results in cleaner shots.

7. Poor Group Posing

   The problem: Someone’s always looking away or blinking. Group photos can be a nightmare without proper coordination.
   Pro tip: Take multiple shots and direct your groups with clear, concise instructions to keep things moving smoothly.

8. Not Shooting in RAW

   The problem: Shooting in JPEG to save space limits your ability to make serious edits without losing quality.
   Pro tip: Always shoot in RAW for maximum editing flexibility. It makes post-processing so much easier!

9. Ignoring Detail Shots

   The problem: Missing those beautiful close-ups of rings, flowers, or décor means you’re missing a vital part of the wedding story.
   Pro tip: Create a must-have checklist for the detail shots to ensure nothing is overlooked.

10. Not Directing Couples

    The problem: Many couples aren’t naturals in front of the camera and need direction to feel and look comfortable.
    Pro tip: Guide them with prompts to help them relax, ensuring genuine emotion and beautiful moments.

11. No Backup Plan

    The problem: Horror stories of lost photos happen way too often. Equipment fails, memory cards corrupt, and files get deleted.
    Pro tip: Have a solid backup strategy in place. Use dual memory card slots and back everything up as soon as possible.

12. Inconsistent Shooting Style

    The problem: Jumping from one subject to another without consistency creates a jarring viewing experience.
    Pro tip: Plan ahead, keep calm, and stay focused on telling a cohesive story.

By avoiding these mistakes and improving your attention to detail, you’ll take your wedding photography to the next level. Happy shooting!

10 Compelling Reasons to Shoot in RAW Format

As a wedding photographer, capturing the finest details and ensuring the highest quality of your images is crucial. One way to achieve this is by shooting in RAW format. If you're still on the fence about making the switch from JPEG, here are ten compelling reasons to start shooting in RAW today.

1. Unmatched Image Quality

RAW files capture all the data from your camera’s sensor, providing the highest possible quality. This means you'll have richer details and better color accuracy in your images compared to JPEGs, which compress and lose some data during processing.

2. Greater Editing Flexibility

Editing RAW files gives you more control over your photos. Adjusting exposure, white balance, and color correction is much easier and more effective with RAW files because you have all the original data at your disposal. This flexibility is essential for making precise adjustments that maintain the integrity of your images.

3. Enhanced Dynamic Range

RAW files have a higher dynamic range, allowing you to recover details in both highlights and shadows that would be lost in a JPEG. This is particularly beneficial in wedding photography, where lighting conditions can vary dramatically.

4. Non-Destructive Editing

When you edit a RAW file, the changes are stored in a separate file or within the editing software's database, not in the original RAW file. This means you can always revert to the original image without losing any data or quality.

5. Better Color Depth

RAW files record more color information (typically 12 or 14 bits per channel) than JPEGs (8 bits per channel). This extra color depth allows for smoother gradients and more precise color adjustments, essential for capturing the true essence of your subjects.

6. Improved Noise Reduction

RAW files offer better noise reduction capabilities, especially at high ISO settings. With RAW, you can apply noise reduction algorithms more effectively, preserving detail while reducing unwanted grain.

7. Increased Sharpening Control

JPEG files apply in-camera sharpening, which can’t be undone and might not be suitable for all images. RAW files allow you to control the sharpening process during post-production, giving you the flexibility to adjust according to each image's specific needs.

8. Correct Exposure Issues

Shooting in RAW makes it easier to correct exposure problems. Whether you’ve underexposed or overexposed an image, RAW files retain more information, making recovery more effective and preserving image quality.

9. Professional Standard

Most professional photographers prefer RAW for its quality and flexibility. Using RAW files demonstrates a commitment to quality and professionalism, which can enhance your reputation and client trust.

10. Archival Benefits

RAW files are ideal for archiving important photos. They contain all the original data captured by your camera, ensuring you have the highest quality files available for future re-edits or reprints as technology improves.

Switching to RAW may require more storage space and post-processing time, but the benefits far outweigh these drawbacks. By shooting in RAW, you'll ensure that you capture the best possible images, offering superior quality and flexibility that will set your work apart.

Ready to make the switch? Start shooting in RAW and see the difference in your photography quality and workflow.

Wedding Season 2024 Sucks?

We need to talk about something that’s been on many people’s minds lately. The 2024 wedding season is shaping up to be a mixed bag for photographers. Here’s a breakdown of the issues and some strategic responses to help you thrive.

Why This Wedding Season Sucks:

1. Too Many Photographers: During the pandemic, a lot of new photographers entered the market because of the wedding boom in 2022-2023. Now that the number of weddings is normalizing, it's getting harder to get bookings due to the increased competition.

2. Big Companies Outsourcing: Successful photography companies are scaling up by outsourcing to subcontracted associates. This makes it tougher for smaller and independent photographers who rely on direct bookings.

3. Trend Overload and Price Wars: With so many trends becoming common, it's hard to stand out just based on style. This has led to a race to the bottom in terms of pricing, with newer photographers undercutting prices, which affects overall pricing standards.

4. Economic Pressures: The current economic climate is tough, and spending on wedding photography is often one of the first things to be cut. Many photographers are seeing a drop in leads and bookings.

What to Do About It:

1. Boost Your Online Presence: Invest in a high-quality website. Make sure it's optimized for SEO, user-friendly, and shows off your unique style and portfolio effectively.

2. Expand Your Services: Don’t just stick to weddings. Try offering other types of photography like boudoir or corporate events. This can help stabilize your income and fill gaps in your schedule.

3. Network and Build Partnerships: Work with wedding planners and other vendors. Networking can lead to referrals and more stable bookings. Invest time in building these relationships.

4. Focus on Your Unique Style: In a market full of similar trends, having a unique artistic voice can set you apart. Instead of following the crowd, create a signature style that makes your work stand out.

5. Adjust Pricing Strategically: It’s tempting to drop prices to compete, but consider the value of your work and the clients you want to attract. Too low prices might attract the wrong clients and make your business unsustainable. Focus on creating packages that offer real value.

At The Ginger Lab, we’re here to support you through these tough times. Our editing services ensure your photos look their best, giving you more time to focus on what you love—capturing beautiful moments.

Turn the challenges of this wedding season into opportunities for growth and creativity.

Keep shooting,
Your Ginger Lab Team

5 Mistakes To Avoid

Wedding photography is all about capturing the pure magic of a couple's special day. However, even seasoned professionals can sometimes stumble. Below, we’ve detailed 5 common mistakes and practical tips to artfully avoid them.

1. Lack of Preparation

Merely walking into a wedding venue isn't enough. Spend an afternoon mapping out the best spots for key shots, like the grand staircase for the bridal entrance or a quiet garden nook for first looks. Collaborate with the couple weeks prior to build a shot list, including their unique requests, perhaps capturing grandma's famous dance moves or the groom's secret handshake with his brother.

2. Poor Communication

This isn’t just about listening; it's about engaging. Host a pre-wedding meeting to understand their story and what they value most. During the wedding, maintain a balance between invisibility and approachability, ensuring guests feel comfortable in front of the camera. Confirm key moments with the couple beforehand, like a surprise serenade, so you’re poised to capture it.

3. Overlooking Lighting Conditions

A midday sun can cast harsh shadows, just as a romantic evening setting might lack adequate light. Master low light with the right camera settings and learn the moods of different times — like the gentle golden hour for soft romance, and the enigmatic blue hour for the party’s electric pulse.

4. Neglecting Backup Plans

Have a 'Plan B' for every piece of gear and for the whims of nature. Carry extra batteries, memory cards, and a second camera. For outdoor events, a set of umbrellas and clear tarpaulins can be lifesavers. Also, create a network with fellow photographers who can step in if an emergency pulls you away.

5. Lack of Editing Skills

In editing, a photo’s soul is refined. Develop strong editing skills, like fine-tuning contrast, balancing colors, and adding that personal touch that makes each album a storytelling masterpiece. Plus, don’t forget to maintain a consistent style. This will allow you to create a remarkable wedding album that truly reflects the couple's special day.

Remember, thorough preparation, effective communication, understanding lighting, having backup plans, and honing your editing skills are all essential elements in capturing the essence and pure joy of a couple's wedding day.

How to double your income

So let's say you're currently bringing in $60,000 a year from your awesome wedding photography skills alone, with an average price of $3,000 per package and 20 weddings annually. But what if you want to double that income and make $120,000 a year?

Here are a few potential ideas to help you achieve that goal:

• Create High-End Packages: Offer premium packages that cater to clients who are willing to pay more for your services. These packages could include additional services and products, such as custom-designed albums, an extra shooter, and more. Selling three premium packages at $6,000 each would earn you an extra $18,000 a year.

• Increase Your Prices: If you're consistently booking clients, it might be time to increase your prices. By raising your average package to $4,000, you could make an extra $20,000 a year!

• Offer Destination Wedding Packages: If you're down for some travel, why not offer wedding packages for clients who want to get married in exotic locations? These packages should include travel and accommodation expenses and come with a premium price tag. Book two more of these weddings per year at $8,000 each, and you could bring in an extra $16,000.

• Expand Your Offerings: Consider offering additional products and services, such as drone footage, or fine art prints, or even beautiful handcrafted boxes to store the prints. Just upsell each wedding package by $500, and assuming you book the same number of weddings, you could increase your annual income by $10,000.

All of these strategies combined could potentially bring in an extra $64,000 for a total of $124,000 a year. Think about it, crunch some numbers, and see what feels realistic for you this year. Remember, setting a goal is just the beginning – it's all about taking action to achieve it.

Remember to stay focused, be persistent, and always strive to improve your craft. Good luck!

For the Love of Film

For decades, film photography was all that was available. From 1913 to 1986, film was the industry standard for photographers worldwide.

Jump forward nearly 4 decades, and the options for photographers is endless. From the workhorse DSLRs to the latest and greatest mirrorless options, one would think that film is going to the wayside. And if you ask some, it may be yet. However, there are photographers across the globe working to keep film not only alive, but also relevant within the vast options of mediums available today.

From the one and done Kodak disposables that we all know, to the popular beginner SLRs such as the Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000, all the way to the big guns like the Contax 645 - while film cameras may be no longer made, the options of ways to shoot film has not yet disappeared.

But many of us didn’t get the privilege of beginning our photography journeys with film - most of today’s modern shooters began on DSLR’s or point and shoot cameras. Working in reverse almost, to emulate our own styles to that of a revived but still small group of film photographers. Because let’s face it - there is something absolutely unmistakable about the magic of film imagery.

All of that said - learning a lost art can be a daunting task, and one of the first questions many new film shooters ask is regarding film stocks. Let’s take a look at a few various film stocks - from the warm, familiar Kodak tones to the brilliant cool tones of Fuji! Here at The Ginger Lab, your images can not only be edited to emulate film, but can be matched to your film scans too. So if you see something you love, don’t be afraid to try out a new film stock, ask for a specific look in your edits, or even begin your own film journey - the options are endless, the journey is yours.

So, for the love of film, don’t let the thought of film be too daunting for you.

Below are examples of Kodak Portra 400.

Below are examples of Fuji 400H.

Preparing for Next Year

The approach of a new year is an exciting time. Filled with all the hopes and dreams of the days to come, it can also be a little overwhelming when it comes to knowing how to prepare. "Chance favors the prepared mind," so today, we're sharing our best advice on preparing for next year to help you have a happy + strong start!

Set goals and plan out the steps to achieve them. You can't accomplish a goal without first knowing what actions to take. Before this year closes, decide which steps you can take now to move closer to your goals. Start building the momentum and get that ball rolling in advance.

Reflect on what worked and what didn't. Did attending a retreat broaden your network and create connections that have led to partnerships? Did a particular marketing campaign fall short of expectations? This year alone, there have probably been dozens of experiences that offered insights into what areas you're excelling in and where you could improve. Take time to reflect and study the lessons you've learned.

Check-in with yourself. The winter is a great time to rest and recover from the intense wedding season. If the pace you were running at this past year isn't how you want to continue, it's vital to be honest with yourself for your overall well-being. Burnout does not lead to longevity.

Share engaging and incredible content to get you in front of your ideal clients during engagement season. Most likely, you're sitting on tons of amazing photos from summer and fall weddings. Engagement season is the prime time to post and ensure newly engaged couples see your work. Create reels, be active on stories, and post gorgeous photos. Don't forget to tag all the vendors to grow your reach!

Update pricing guides, portfolio, and website. Now is the time to refresh your collection information, website copy, and other essential elements that deal with booking clients and inquiries! If you've started implementing new offerings, make sure they're known. 

Celebrate this year's wins. It's easy to get so focused on achieving the next thing on the list that you don't take the time to rejoice and applaud yourself for the goals you have reached. The place you dreamed about being years ago is where you are now. Recognize where your continued hard work has brought you, and pop some champagne! 

Every year is full of highs and lows, and it's incredible how much can happen in a single year. Even if you didn't accomplish everything you hoped for this year, know that you're closer than ever. You never know if your best year yet could be right around the corner. We're sending you all the good vibes as this year ends and can't wait to continue to support you in the next one!

How do you prepare for a new year?

Establishing Your Photography Philosophy

If someone asked you about your photography philosophy, would you be able to answer? Sure, you could say you love taking pretty pictures or are obsessed with weddings, but those answers won't make you stand out in the industry.

Knowing why you do something is equally as important as the thing you do. Discovering your motivations will bring more meaning to your work, and establishing your philosophy behind your passion for photography will help clarify your artistic voice.

A photographer who is intentional and values the power of imagery commands notice. Breathing your philosophy into every area of business goes far beyond typical branding. When everything aligns with your philosophy, your brand takes on a new form of life that will deeply resonate with others. 

If you've been struggling with identifying the "why" behind your business, it's time to clear your mind of distractions and keep reading! Below, we have four thought-provoking questions to help you establish your photography philosophy. 

1. What about photographs is significant to you? Do you love how photos are tangible memories? Do you treasure photos because of the legacy they leave and how they live on long after the people in them have passed? Expound from there. Perhaps you remember the moment you realized how important photos are.

2. What makes you cherish a particular photograph? Do you have a favorite photo that always brings a smile to your face? Is it of a loved one who has passed, and you treasure it because a single picture captured their whole personality? Express those feelings with words.

3. What do you hope your photos accomplish? Do you want your photographs to become family heirlooms? Is it your goal to capture images that embody the emotions of a wedding day? Convey why you believe it's important to capture moments to last forever.

4. What feelings or emotions do you want to be associated with your work? Do you want people to feel your subject's joy and energy so strongly they feel like they were there? Do you want them to feel the immense love and tenderness captured in an embrace? Share how a photo can transport you back in time and enables you to relive all of those emotions.

Whenever you feel burnt out or discouraged, reflect on your philosophy to bring everything back into perspective. It's the reason you chose photography and continue to choose it. Your philosophy is a beautiful reminder of your purpose every time you pick up your camera.