So, I shot a wedding or if I’m being accurate; ‘My first two weddings’ recently (December 2019) and whilst I’ve assisted in shooting weddings prior to this, there’s a certain weigh that sits on your shoulders when it’s you who has to deliver and is responsible for let’s say the SD card failing or that once/twice in a lifetime event when your gear packs up in the middle of the event (it happened to me the next day) but I digress. What did I learn?
Shooting events is storytelling, You go from Point A-Point B and follow accordingly, documenting the process and the surrounding factors. I found that building a checklist of images helped me follow through that storytelling process but what struck me most was how the unplanned help tie all of this together. There’s nothing I’d say that hasn’t been said before but here’s what I noticed and felt the need to share.
Have Loads of Space;
A 64/128GB card would be a good place to start. I was a lone shooter and so I had to get every image possible and when in that phase of mind, You’re not exactly conscious of the space left on the card so it helps to have that big card so you can shoot away and know you won’t run out of space.
Scout your Location:
Whether it’s a church, conference hall or under the harsh reality of the Nigeria sun, it’s good to get a firsthand knowledge of where you’re shooting beforehand so you can plan your plan for various angles and lighting scenarios and end up with the best images.
Be Punctual;
The need for this cannot be under emphasized, You need to be PUNCTUAL. Showing up early already gives your bride a sense of peace and for an already stressful day, not being a thing she has to worry about is already a plus for you when time for referrals arrive.
Composition;
This is one of the few times all those basic lessons you learnt in Photography 101 would come into play. Framing your shot is exceptionally crucial f you want to produce stunning imagery. Your subject’s relation with the background and surrounding elements are key to getting those jaw dropping images that you’re searching for.
Be Moment Centric:
Capturing the event in the moment is amazing. The laughs as they happen, the crowd’s reaction to the kiss, the way the couple look at each other. All of the little things the couple wouldn’t originally see, this goes a long a** way to get you that next wedding that’ll put another lens in your arsenal.
You can connect with Ufana Ishoyor on Instagram here.
