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!

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.

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.

Creating Opportunities

Opportunities rarely drop onto our lap. They usually come after a series of steps we first had to take before reaching their threshold. Their beginnings may appear humble and small, but embrace each one you can get and see where you can take them.

If you want to be pursued by new opportunities, you have to be proactive and intentional. You can't just wait for them to come to you. Create and nurture relationships, do your research, and always put yourself out there.

The fantastic thing about opportunities is they're often a snowball effect. Once you have the ball rolling, momentum helps to keep it going. Every opportunity is a catalyst to something greater, so give each one your all and truly make the most of it. 

The potential to create an opportunity is everywhere. You'll never regret trying, but you could regret missing your window. It can be wearisome when it feels like nothing is working out or coming together but don't lose heart. Keep knocking on those doors! It may take a lot of hard work and patience before it comes to fruition.

Just as a plant starts with a seed, so does an opportunity. A tiny seed of action you planted a season ago could blossom into a dream chance. A connection you established and didn't think would ever go anywhere could eventually take off. Continue nurturing your seeds and watch your harvest grow.

It's not by luck, chance, or magic that incredible opportunities come to be. Hard work, ingenuity, and persistence usher them in. You're capable of accomplishing your goals and making your dreams come true. Why wait for an opportunity to come by when you can go out and make one?

When the opportunity finally comes, don't doubt yourself. It's your moment to utilize all of your talents and expertise that led you there in the first place. It'll be the long-awaited moment you've been wishing for and working toward for years. Be fully present and take the time to enjoy it and reflect. 

The life-changing, career-elevating opportunities are the ones we look for, but there are hundreds of other opportunities we might miss by only focusing on those. There are always opportunities to build relationships, learn, grow, inspire others, and spread kindness.

What's an opportunity that's changed your career?

Making Business Moves

Whether it's raising your prices, niching down, or deciding it's time for a rebrand, making your next business move is exciting but scary. You never know which step could be your breakthrough! Always check with yourself that every move you make gets you closer to your end goals and aligns with your vision for your life. Motivation and commitment are slow to come when you're not 100% passionate about what you're doing.

There are hundreds of great business moves to be made, but just because it's great doesn't mean it's good for you. Know your priorities and know the why behind your decisions in business. Intentionality fuels every step with purpose.

Figuring out your next move can feel like navigating a ship without a map. How do you arrive at your desired destination without knowing which course to take? Think about the big picture and where you see yourself in the next few years. What steps can you take to get you from where you are now to where you want to be? Build the metaphorical bridge so you can cross that chasm!

Actionable, consistent steps, however small, will be what pushes the needle forward. Do you want to expand your brand into education? Take on more weddings through an associate team? Book international destination weddings? Each ambition has a pathway to make it possible. 

Time is precious, so be sure you're pouring your energy and efforts into what matters to you. You may find you're using up your resources in areas where your ROI is lowest or in places that don't fully serve your mission.

Understand the outcome of the move you plan to make. Recognize its meaning to you and what importance it holds for your business. Change can bring fear and uncertainty, but on the other side, your best life yet may just be waiting! Push through the doubt and remember that you're not alone. Believe that your hard work and patience will pay off eventually.

Being a business owner is not stagnant. With every decision, you'll gain experience and wisdom that will lead to growth. Each business move's results may vary, but as long as you maintain a positive attitude and persevering heart, you'll win every time.