I have noticed a mindset that seems to be shared by successful wedding photographers. It is a critically important mindset that any beginner or amateur should seek to have. As I look back at the weddings I have photographed I have seen what a blessing it has been to me as I have sought to have this mindset.
The mindset that you should seek to have is this: the wedding is the most important day in the shared lives of this man and woman, there are no “second chances”, and, as such, I will work my absolute hardest to capture the best possible photos during the day that will bless the couple as they begin their life together.
This article looks at two real-life scenarios and how the above mindset impacts them. My next article will look at two additional scenarios.
Schedule: Driving to the Wedding
The wedding is a two hour drive away. You are planning on beginning to take photos at noon, and the ceremony starts at 2:00 p.m. At what time should you leave your house? I’ll be honest: a photographer who will leave their house at 10:00 a.m. that morning (just in time to arrive at noon) is NOT a photographer that I would want to hire. What happens if there is a traffic problem? What happens if the car breaks down? If I were leaving for that wedding I would have left around 9:00 a.m.
That reminds me of when I was beginning to photograph weddings. I purchased a full-size spare tire and a full-size jack for my car. I knew that replacing a flat tire with just a miniature jack would be a nightmare! And I also knew that a “donut” tire is not designed to travel distances. And yes, I also took time and tested the tire on the car to make sure it fit and was “operational” instead of just buying the tire and throwing it in the trunk.
Schedule: The Bride Isn’t Ready
Photos of the bride and the bridesmaids are scheduled to be taken at 1:00 p.m. The ceremony starts at 2:00 p.m. The bride isn’t yet ready for photos. What do you do and what is your attitude as you do it? To me, a wedding day is always about the couple – the originally-planned schedule is a distant-second priority. As long as I am near the bride and groom and am taking photos throughout the day, I really don’t care if the “formal photos” that were scheduled to occur at 1:00 p.m. actually happen then or not.
Normally, I would be in and out of the room where the bride is getting ready (but I do not take photos of the bride while she is changing) and would be communicating to her about the schedule. Not telling her what time it is and what she should be doing, but letting her know a little while before 1:00 p.m. to see if she thinks she’ll be ready. But, either way, I’ll let her know that things are going great. Don’t be the bossy, domineering wedding photographer that is trying to run the schedule and rule the day. Be flexible – and accommodate the couple on their wedding day. Rest assured: most couples really do want the day to go according to the previously-arranged schedule.
Notice what a difference the mindset makes? Everything about the day is impacted by how you view the wedding. I would challenge you to never “get in a rut” of viewing someone’s wedding as “just another wedding to shoot.”