Not everyone decides to hire a professional photographer for their wedding.  And, if you’re known among your friend and family group for taking good hobby photos, it’s likely you may be asked to be the photographer on the couple’s special day.  While this can be quite nerve-wracking, don’t fret.  For starters, your friend/family member asked you to take their pictures over hiring a pro (and that was their decision), and there are a number of tips you can follow that will make the photos much more likely to turn out successfully.  Keep reading for some advice on how to do just that.

Tip #1: Visit the Location in Advance

The first tip is to visit the location in advance.  The main benefit of doing this is so that you can see where you will be taking the photos, and to think about where the best spots will be for posed shots. Consider the background of the photos and whether the lighting will be good enough in the areas you choose.  Also take notice of any walls or benches that the happy couple could sit on to take some unique, romantic photographs.

While visiting the location, take some practice photographs to give yourself an idea of what to expect.  Don’t be afraid to play about with your camera’s settings while doing this, but do ensure you take notes so that you can refer to them on the day of the wedding. What looks good to the eye may not work so well in photo format and vice versa.  You also need to consider the time of day that the event will be taking place, as this will also affect the lighting.  When in doubt, simple is always best.

Tip #2: Look at Other Photos for Inspiration

Before the day of the wedding, ask the bride and groom if they can provide you with any examples of wedding photos that they love.  All they need to do is browse the web and copy and paste any photos they like into a blank document, which they can either print off or share with you digitally.  Perhaps they really like artistic photos, such as a closeup photo of their wedding bands, or perhaps they prefer fun shots such as those you can view here.  No matter what type of photos they like, their images can give you inspiration for their wedding day.

If possible, it’s a good idea to carry a copy of these photos with you on the day itself.  It will be busy and stressful enough for all involved without having to try and remember which poses or types of shots the couple liked.  With a copy of the photos in your arsenal, you won’t go far wrong.

Tip #3: Hire a Helper

Whether you’re only photographing the bride and groom, or have been asked to photograph the entire wedding party, having a helper will massively reduce your stress levels.  Before the day, you can give your helper the list of photographs that you need to take and ask them to check them off as you take them.  You can also ask them to be in charge of getting groups together and organized, leaving you free to adjust the settings on your camera and tripod.  Your helper may also be able to help you carry gear and frame each shot, enabling you to take photos from a variety of different angles.

Tip #4: Take Most of Your Photographs Outside

As an amateur photographer, it’s generally easier to take outside shots as you have the light you need to take a good photograph.  When photographing inside, you tend to need a lot of equipment to light each frame perfectly, and this is something that not many amateur photographers have, or can afford to purchase prior to the big day.

If you have no choice but to take photographs indoors, avoid using your flash when at all possible.  Instead, try and get light into the room through natural means.  Open the windows and doors and turn on all the lights in the area. It is possible to artificially alter the photographs afterward, but it will be a lot easier if you adhere to this advice on the day itself.

Tip #5: Take Lots of Photos

When you’re not a professional photographer, the best chance you have of delivering a successful shoot to the bride and groom is taking a lot of photos. For every pose, take at least ten photos, varying something each time you take a new snap.  You could take some close-ups, ask the couple to laugh, ask them to kiss, ask her to rest her head on his shoulder, and so on. Step back for a full body shot or zoom in for a closeup of their rings or flowers.  And, don’t be afraid to move around to take shots from different angles, with different lighting.

You really would be surprised by how many photos you can take just from one pose if you alter one small thing every time.  At the end of the shoot, you’ll notice that some photos didn’t turn out as well as you’d hoped; however, because you’ve taken so many it won’t make a massive difference.

Tip #6: Relax

Finally, it’s important to relax as much as possible.  Even if you are nervous and sweating like crazy, you want the bride and groom to have full confidence in you and this may mean faking it.  If you look stressed and worried, the bride and groom will too, and this will show in their photos.  Instead, ask them questions about how they met and how the day is going.  Tell them you’re happy for them and ask if there’s anything they need.  The more relaxed they are, the better the photos will turn out.

Taking wedding photographs as an amateur photographer can be a nerve-racking experience, however, if you keep the above tips in mind, you should do better than most.  Good luck!