• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » WRITE WITH US » How to Shoot a Dream Wedding If You Are Not a Wedding Photographer

05/02/2012 By Contributor Dream Stories

How to Shoot a Dream Wedding If You Are Not a Wedding Photographer

Last updated on February 7th, 2013 at 05:33 pm

 How to shoot a wedding if you are not a wedding photographer

Hello Top Photographer Dreamers!

By design my dream is NOT to be a wedding photographer.  But recently, a very good friend asked me to shoot her wedding, and when that happens it’s hard not to become a wedding photographer – at least for the day.

8 tips on how to shoot a dream wedding even if you are not a wedding photographer —

What To Do:

1.  Start by downloading my “How to be a successful second shooter”  check list and use it.
If you have your own helper or second shooter, give it to them as well.  Here is a link to being a successful second shooter tips.

2.  Get information from the bride and groom ahead of time so you know going in what shots to get. 
Some brides don’t care about family group shots; for others, it’s the most important shot of the day.  WRITE it down, you will be glad you did.

3.  Show up early, leave when its time, dance at least once.
Early arrival lets you map out the place, find some cool set up shots, and get mentally settled.  Stay as long as you have to to capture the wedding’s “story.”  And dance one dance with the bride, the groom or your handsome second shooter (if applicable).

4.  Connect with everyone behind the scenes.
For my friend’s wedding, I know the only reason we had special access upstairs is because we connected with the owner ahead of time.  Introducing myself to the event staff and bartenders helped out when we needed help moving tables for a large group shot.  You are not an island, and you are not working alone, even when it feels like it. If you have the mindset of working together to create a great day, you will not go wrong.

How to Shoot a Dream Wedding: Bride and Groom

What NOT To Do:

1.  Do NOT wait until the last minute to prepare.
Do yourself a favor by also defining the last minute as a few days before, and not the NIGHT before.  You will save yourself a lot of heartache and “morning of” running around if you just get everything organized.

2.  Do NOT match the brides energy style – it’s important to just be yourself.
Brides emotions vary from freakishly calm to off the charts insane on their wedding day.  Center yourself in your genuine personality, and get to work.

3.  Do NOT abdicate responsibilities – if you have a second shooter or an assistant helping you, make sure you don’t abdicate.
Instead of  stating, “Go get the wedding cake shot,”  try, “I need 4 shots of the cake before it’s cut – one traditional, a close up of the topper and 2 artsy ones.”  Never assume someone’s ability to know what you are thinking or what you want.  Common sense is too subjective of a thing to rely on for wedding images.

4.  Do NOT follow the ‘wedding photo playbook.’
Take some shots that are non traditional.  Use different lenses, set up on some different angles.  You will get the shots that are important, but remember to have fun with it too.

How to Shoot a Dream Wedding: Shades of Blue

It’s wedding season Photography Dreamers – even if you aren’t a wedding photographer.

When you get the call – get focused and get shooting!

Until next photo,

Rem

Contributor Dream Stories

Enjoy this special 8WomenDream Guest Contributor story submitted by new and experienced big dreamers throughout the world, edited and published to capture a dream perspective from different points-of-view. Do you have a personal dream story to share with 8WomenDream readers? Click here to learn how to submit dream big articles for consideration.

Note: Articles by Guest Post Contributors may contain affiliate links and 8WD will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Related Stories:

  • 5 Tips for a Successful Photo Shoot for Your Big Dream5 Tips for a Successful Photo Shoot for Your Big Dream
  • 8 Photography Tips For A Successful Baby Shoot8 Photography Tips For A Successful Baby Shoot
  • 8 Photo Tips For a Successful Food Shoot8 Photo Tips For a Successful Food Shoot
  • 10 Beginners Tips for Successful Night Shoot Photos10 Beginners Tips for Successful Night Shoot Photos
Tell your friends!

Filed Under: WRITE WITH US

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« How to Win the Championship Called Life With M.L. Carr
How I Lost 75 Pounds Using These Dream Products: Part 2 »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream
  • 6 Tips to Avoid Get Rich Quick Scams as a Public Speaker
  • A Dream to Spread MLK’s Message of Love
  • Best Goal Setting Advice that Actually Works
  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • It’s Never Too Late to Dust Off Your Dreams
Catherine Hughes on Dealspotr
Catherine Hughes
@8WomenDream
Let’s collaborate
Powered by Dealspotr

Looking for more?

8 Women Dream Products8WD Founder Catherine HughesActivist Lisa Powell GrahamArtist Iman WoodsArtist Sue Faith LevyAuthor Karen AlanizAuthor Rayne WolfeBig Dream InterviewsDream Big Guest ContributorsFind Your DreamFind Your Passion and PurposeHealth Coach Heather MontgomeryInspirational QuotesMotivational Speaker Kelly SwansonSuccessful Goal SettingWorld Traveler Natasha von GeldernWrite A Book

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

Categories

  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • WRITE WITH US

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright 8 Women Dream All Rights Reserved © 2020 • ADVERTISE ON 8WD • LEGAL/TERMS/PRIVACY • SITE DEVELOPMENT BY CATHERINE HUGHES

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.