Trying to take photographs for the first time at during a special occasion could be a daunting task. You would want to produce great shots that will be appreciated and surpass every bodies expectations.

Wedding photography is one of the most stressful tasks that an amateur photographer can attempt. Technical knowledge of lighting effects and the like just isn’t enough; you also need some basics of keeping things moving while you shoot.

In no particular order here are some key points:

Create a Photo List

Doing photography at a couple’s wedding requires you to ensure that you capture all of the key moments they want and so a list discussed beforehand is a great tool which can be used as a checklist during the event. It is quite frustrating when you have had the photos done, and realize then that you have missed the photograph of the couple with their grandmother.

Put a Family Member In Charge Of Organizing Photos

The family photos at a wedding can drive you crazy. People are coming and going and you are unconscious of the varied family dynamics. One representative of both the bride’s and grooms family should be put in charge of taking pictures, and ensure that they all assemble at the right time and in the right order to be photographed.

Survey the Wedding Locations

Many pro photographers have enough experience to plan shots the day of the event, but it will be helpful for an amateur to plot the best spots to shoot from in advance. Try to figure out the areas that light will come from and perhaps even take several test pictures of the couple and they can put this together with their “pre-nuptial pictures.

Be Well-prepared

Sometimes things don’t go according to plan on the big day, so it is good to be prepared with backups – extra batteries, memory cards for cameras, and think carefully about the day’s itinerary and travel plans. It will also be a nice idea for you to go to the wedding rehearsal to find more details about the shooting areas, lights and various things.

Set Reasonable Goals

Let the couple look over your portfolio to ensure they like your style, and make sure you know the shots they consider essential, the rough number of shots they want, and what they want to achieve. If they are paying you, make sure that you have a clear agreement on the price.

Make your Camera Silent

Switch of the sound of all the camera equipment before the ceremony and keep it silent throughout the speeches, the all-important couple’s first kiss and exchange of vows.

Take Note of the Little Details

Take pictures of the rings, backs of dresses, flowers, shoes, table settings and others. Flip through wedding magazines to get some ideas.

Use More than One Camera

Borrow, buy or rent extra cameras for the date and set them up with a variety of different lenses. At least two would be fine – a broad angle lens for candid shots, which will also work fine in tight places, and another with a long lens for distance shots.

Have an Alternate Photographer

Two photographers at a wedding are a great idea as it allows for less running around and more opportunity to capture shots from different angles. Having someone with you can share the tasks of capturing the official shots while not missing the outspoken shots. It will also be more easy and there is less stress for you than being the only photographer.

Be bold, but unobtrusive

Being timid will only mean you miss important shots; move when you need to without interrupting anyone’s view. But it is also important to have timing and think ahead about being in an accurate position for the ‘key’ moments so you won’t be disrupting the event. Make sure that you time your movement with the songs, hymns or long readings so to cause the least disruption.

Fun shots at weddings are one of the best ways to ease up the couple and the party during formal shots. It’s a good idea for a photographer to smile all the time in order to illicit a sympathetic response. Pay special attention to the background and perspective to get surprisingly easy effects from your camera. After the ceremony, you can display some of the pictures at the reception for the party to appreciate.