Capturing a wedding is one of the most exciting and high-stakes jobs a photographer can take on. There’s no room for error—you’ve got one day, one shot, and one chance to deliver photos your clients will treasure for life.
Breathtaking wedding photography isn’t about luck—it’s about preparation, awareness, and a few smart techniques. With the right approach, even beginners can walk away with show-stopping images that feel timeless and authentic.
Having shot hundreds of weddings and completed countless photoshoots in Chatham, these 21 tips for breathtaking wedding photography are sure you help you in your photography career. From mastering light to managing people, these insights will help you capture unforgettable moments and elevate your wedding photography to a whole new level.
1. Create a Shot List
Before the big day arrives, ask the couple to help you create a detailed shot list. This ensures you don’t miss key family groupings or meaningful details. Include must-have shots like “bride with grandmother” or “groom with siblings,” as well as close-ups of the rings, table settings, and ceremony décor.
Your list should serve as a guide, not a rulebook—leave room for spontaneity. Some of the most moving photos come from unplanned, in-between moments.
2. Assign a Family Photo Coordinator
Family photos can quickly turn chaotic. Appoint a trusted relative or member of the wedding party to act as your photo wrangler. This person can gather family members, keep things moving, and help reduce confusion—especially when emotions (and drinks) are flowing.
Having a designated helper lets you stay focused on your job while ensuring no one important is left out.
3. Scout the Location Ahead of Time
Take time to visit the ceremony and reception venues before the wedding day. Knowing the layout, lighting, and best backdrops will save time and reduce stress.
Use this visit to plan out where you’ll shoot formal portraits, where the light falls during key moments, and where distractions (like exit signs or cluttered backgrounds) may interfere with your shots. Bonus tip: if possible, bring the couple along and turn it into a quick engagement shoot!
4. Be Overprepared
Wedding days are unpredictable. Batteries die, weather shifts, timelines go off track. Show up ready for anything.
Charge extra batteries, clear and format your memory cards, pack backups for everything, and prepare for weather changes. Attend the rehearsal if you can—it’s a valuable preview of the ceremony layout and flow.
Being overprepared means fewer surprises and smoother shooting.
5. Set Expectations with the Couple
Before the wedding, sit down with the couple to align expectations. Discuss the style of photography they love, how many final images they expect, what key moments or people matter most, and how they plan to use the photos afterward.
This is also the time to go over timelines, deliverables, and pricing. A clear contract and mutual understanding upfront helps avoid any confusion down the line.
6. Silence Your Camera
Beeping sounds and shutter clicks during vows or emotional moments are a big distraction. Most modern mirrorless cameras have silent shooting modes—use them.
Before the wedding, disable all audible camera alerts and test your silent shutter mode to make sure it’s working properly.
7. Capture the Details
The rings. The dress lace. The invitation suite. The centrepieces. These details are part of what makes every wedding unique. Take time to photograph them creatively. These shots add depth to the story and often become favorites in the final album.
Not sure where to start? Look through inspiration from other wedding photographers to spark ideas for your own styling and angles.
8. Use Two Cameras
Using two camera bodies with different lenses gives you options and flexibility, especially during fast-paced moments.
Try pairing a wide-angle lens (24-70mm) on one body with a telephoto (70-200mm) on the other. This lets you move quickly between close-up shots and intimate candids without switching lenses constantly. It’s also a solid backup if one camera fails.
9. Bring a Second Photographer
A second shooter can capture moments you might miss—especially candid reactions during the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. While you’re focused on formals or detail shots, your second shooter can roam the venue and photograph guests, décor, or alternate angles. It’s also helpful to divide duties during prep when the couple is getting ready in separate locations.
10. Be Bold (But Not Obtrusive)
Great wedding photographers are confident—but discreet. Don’t hesitate to move into position for an important shot, but avoid disrupting the flow of the event or drawing attention during intimate moments.
Use natural breaks—like songs or readings—to move around during the ceremony. And when it’s time for formals, take charge with clear direction to keep things efficient and stress-free.
11. Master Diffused Light
Many wedding venues have low or uneven lighting, so you’ll need to know how to make the most of it.
Use a diffuser or bounce flash off neutral surfaces (avoid colored walls, which can cause color casts). When flash isn’t allowed, shoot with fast lenses (f/1.4–f/2.8), raise your ISO, and use image-stabilized lenses to keep shots sharp in low light.
12. Shoot in RAW
JPEGs are smaller and faster—but shooting in RAW gives you far more control in post-processing.
RAW files preserve all the data from your image, making it easier to adjust exposure, white balance, and shadows, especially in tricky lighting conditions. It’s an extra step, but one that elevates your final product tremendously.
13. Share Same-Day Slideshows
Want to impress your clients and their guests? Bring a laptop to the reception and create a quick same-day slideshow of the ceremony and portraits.
It’s a great way to wow the couple and create buzz during the event. Just be sure to only show well-edited highlights, and have everything prepped for a smooth, fast workflow.
14. Watch Your Backgrounds
A perfect shot can be ruined by a cluttered or distracting background. Before you click the shutter, scan the edges of your frame for things like garbage bins, awkward signs, or photobombers. Whenever possible, position your subjects against clean, flattering backgrounds. This small habit makes a huge difference in the quality and professionalism of your images.
15. Don’t Forget the Candid Moments
Some of the most emotional, authentic photos happen between the “big” moments. Be ready to capture hugs, laughter, nervous jitters, and spontaneous dances. Keep your camera up and stay alert, especially during transitions—like guests arriving, the couple walking between locations, or the quiet moments before the ceremony starts. These real, raw moments often become the most cherished memories.
16. Know the Timeline (and Help Shape It)
A smooth wedding timeline is essential for good photos—and your insight can make a big difference.
Talk with the couple or planner ahead of time to make sure there’s enough time for things like portraits, travel between venues, or golden hour photos. Suggest building in a 10–15-minute buffer before the ceremony so you can prep your gear and breathe.
Pro tip: Give yourself more time than you think you need. Rushing kills creativity.
17. Back Up Your Images Immediately
Don’t wait until you’re home to back up your photos—do it as soon as you can. Bring a portable hard drive or laptop and back up your files during dinner or right after the event. Use dual card slots when possible to record RAWs on one card and JPEGs on another. It’s not just about being cautious—it’s about protecting someone’s once-in-a-lifetime memories.
18. Don’t Overshoot
It’s tempting to shoot constantly out of fear of missing something, but that can backfire. Overshooting creates hours of extra editing work—and increases the chance of missing the real magic.
Be intentional. Anticipate the moment, compose carefully, then shoot. Fewer thoughtful frames are always better than thousands of aimless ones.
19. Create a Backup Plan for Weather
Outdoor ceremony? Sunset portraits in a field? Always prepare for rain, wind, or unexpected weather. Scout covered locations ahead of time, bring umbrellas (clear ones look great in photos), and make sure your gear is weather-sealed or properly protected. Keep a positive attitude and reassure the couple that you’ve got it handled—your calm confidence will put them at ease.
20. Think Like a Storyteller
Wedding photography isn’t just about pretty images—it’s about telling a story. Capture the day in a way that flows from beginning to end. Start with quiet getting-ready moments, build to the ceremony and celebration, and finish with emotion-filled candids or nighttime shots. Look for connections between people and moments. These are the threads that tie the story together.
21. Keep Growing
The best wedding photographers never stop learning. Study work you admire. Practice in all kinds of light. Review your images and look for ways to improve. Try shooting second for other photographers or attend a workshop to level up your skills.
Every wedding is a chance to grow, challenge yourself creatively, and build a body of work you’re proud of. Mark Requena is a Chatham based photographer, view his portfolio, and pricing here.