The One Location Technique for Wedding Photography
This post by Photographer Christina N Dickson is a continuation of her Wedding Photography Survival Tips series. ALSO view Part 1 where she covered Preparation.
You’ve done your homework. You’ve gathered your research. You’ve scouted out your locations.
The big day is here, and the pressure is on.
What now?
Above all else, make it your goal to pace yourself. Your mind will be whirling a million miles an hour thinking through every piece of information you’ve gathered into your mind. How do you perform with intensity and keep yourself from going crazy?
I am going to walk you through one system that will eliminate stress and give you the confidence you need to produce a remarkable “first wedding” portfolio.
Write this down:
One window = Multiple shots
Too often novice wedding photographers operate on the idea that varied shots are captured only by varied locations. This is simply not true! Don’t fall into this trap! One well-lit window can provide a plethora of beautifully varied shots to satisfy both you and the bride.
How can one window be the key to your wedding photography success? One simple word: Light. At the center of a great wedding photographer’s work is his or her ability to find and work with the available light in each venue. With Church’s or community centers being the venue of choice for soft and romantic wedding ceremonies, these locations are also infamous for low lighting challenges. Window light can offer a superb solution to even the worst lit wedding venues.
5 Steps to Lots of Great Shots from One Window Location
Step 1 – The Location
Find a window of choice. You’re looking for a window that is relatively large, preferably with curtains, and has an outlook to a grassy area. If you are deliberate in your selection, you can create up to 8 dynamic and fresh shots with minimal set up.
Step 2 – The Details
Inside, set up your detail shots. You will want a table near the window, and different cloth textures for your background; you can use toile, lace, bridesmaid’s dresses etc. At this time, you can photograph the shoes, the ring, and any other important details on your shot list. Consider a few variables that will affect the outcome of your shots: 1) The available light from the window; 2) The distance your object is from the window, and 3) The angle of your camera to the object. Adjust any of these changeable and your shot will change as well.
Step 3 – The Dress
One of the most important shots you must capture is the special dress of the bride. After you’ve taken appropriate time photographing the bride as she does her hair and makeup, borrow the brides dress. Carefully affix the hanger at the top of the window. If the lip of the window is not wide enough, find a tack to place at the top of the window, suspend the ribbon from the tack, and hang the dress from the ribbon. The window light will create a luminous glow around the dress for beautiful highlighting.
Step 4 – The Portraits Inside
There is nothing more perfect for wedding portraits than window light. A window will provide several options for dynamic portrait backgrounds. Inside you can get a wide-angle shot of the bride in her dress with the window in the background. You can also get a few close up shots of the brides face.
Step 5 – The Portraits Outside
If your window has a lot of variety (ie, panes, curtains, sheers) you can take some beautiful shots from inside the window looking outside. This will ad a lot of artistic interest - just be sure to watch your backgrounds! Also, from the outside, you can use your window as a background for more shots of the bride or bride and groom together.
Take my advice: With the “One window = Stellar shots” equation, you will never again worry about having wedding location define your images. Ready to start shooting? Go!
Look forward to our dynamic conclusion to this Wedding Photography Tips Series with Part III: The Office Work of legalities and post processing!
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Nice tips. Thanks for providing this information it will help a lot to those learning how to shoot
Great incite. Also good advice for any object or portrait shooting.
Great tips, but unfortunately, the windows tip doesn’t necessarily apply to all situations. The wedding that I covered last month just didn’t have the sort of windows that was needed =(
Raymond Chan
- http://chanraymond.net
Your step 4 picture I wouldn’t be happy with, as a photographer or a client. I mean, the sheet on the floor looks bad, as does the patched hole job on the wall. Maybe you cloned that out and cleaned it up though. Also the white balance on #1 isn’t to my taste, I feel the dress should be…white. :)
Good article though, you’re right about the one area providing a lot of different shots. ;-)
I was at wedding last weekend. made some nice shots.
nice compositions on those shots, but her dress is blown out in a few, is that ok? I guess I’m not a wedding expert but highlight details matter to me.
Dress details matter in many wedding shots, but I feel like there is always an exception to photography rules (all rules). I think he did a good job focusing exposure and details in the bride’s face, the blown out dress is okay– as long as there are other shots with a properly exposed dress. It’s about balance. Anyways, as always another wonderful article. Thanks for taking the time to share a bit of your expertise with us!
-Aaron Snyder
Great tips. I enjoyed reading the article. The only thing that disturbs me is the shot of the off colored dress with the blurred shoes on a table in the motel. Other than that fantastic shots.
Great ideas when there is a window available. I am not impressed with the exposure on the shots. Also the wedding dress could have been compsed better. As one who has done many, many wedding shoots in the past, I would hope I produced better results than these.
I’m not sure what people are talking bout. I love he shot of the dress hanging on in front of the window. I took a shot that was very similar to this one myself. I think the photos are nice and that you did a nice job. And also every location is different and there for each wedding is not going to look the same. (that goes to the dress the window and your clients)
Why won’t the dress appear like a silhouette? or dark? because it’s white? or do you need a big window?
thanks alot. I have my first wedding this weekend, so I will definitely print these tips out. Your tips have been really helpful
Not a huge fan of the contrasty pictures, but I love the rest. Really want to go out there and work on this now!
Wow! I guess all photographers become critics! Unfortunately I have found myself doing the same thing. I didn’t realize how self centered it sounded until I read it for myself. Thank you for the shots, and the much needed attitude adjustment! I will work harder on my shots and professionalism.
Candace
Can anyone offer advice on achieving the golden tones seen above? Would this be done in PS curves?? Or perhaps the colour balance settings?
That one in the window sucks bad! Reminds me if we were in the soviet union taking pictures for a wedding. The rest are Stellar! but yuck… do something about that example. It’s terrible and the flas made it even worse. I would have used a long exposure instead.
These tips are great and I think the photos are great as well. After reading the comments here one things is clear….everyone has their own taste in photography and it will vary widely!!!
I’d love to see the amazing portfolios of these critiquing trolls. No wait, they won’t post them because they are A) cowardly and B) know their port probably sucks if even have one.
Trolls…. Grimm would be happy to see they came back alive in the age of the internet.