Becoming a Wedding Warrior

Discover the secrets of becoming a Wedding Warrior as I unveil the myths and realities of wedding photography. From navigating client expectations to managing the unexpected, join me for expert insights and tales from the trenches that will help you thrive on the wedding day battlefield.

Transcript

Today, we talk about preparing for battle… the wedding day. Let us uncover the myths and realities of wedding photography, from navigating client expectations to managing the unexpected. How do we survive a wedding day calm and collected with memory cards full of happy memories and awesomeness, and not finish the day frazzled from stress? Stay tuned for expert insights and tales from the trenches that will help you become a Wedding Warrior!

Being a wedding photographer is easy money right? I mean, how hard is it really? All y'need is a camera, boost some Facebook posts ('cause y'know, cheap innit), throw together a website, look up prices of local wedding photographers, and undercut them or offer more for the same price, turn up on a wedding day, press the shutter loads of times, throw some people together, repeatedly say, “smile” and bank a few hundred quid each time for your efforts. Oh and go home afterwards, download the cards, bang 'em on a flash drive to sling in the post or just upload to an online gallery, and job done… It's aaaaall easy profit right?

I mean, technically, yeah you can do that, FaceBook is testament to this, with maaaaaany togs operating in this way. it all depends on what you want out of it… do you just wish to bimble along with a part time weekend job, or do you want to make a career out of this, a full-time career at that, y'know, turning pro, running a successful photography business type of career?

'Cause that's not so straightforward to do it well and successfully.

Navigating a wedding day is a challenge. Every single wedding day I've shot has always involved a multifaceted approach, you simply have to attack a wedding day like this. The challenges of managing client expectations, adhering to the day's schedule, engaging with wedding guests in a certain way so you capture genuine moments, and remaining calm when the unforeseen occurs (which generally happens!) it's a skill-set indeed. And that's without even diving into the diverse range of photographer skills required to shoot an entire wedding day successfully. The challenges are fo'real. But, so are the rewards.. let's continue…

The life of a wedding photographer is a world of magical moments and exquisite emotions some might say. However, the path to capturing these precious memories is fraught with challenges. The pivotal question is… how do you ensure that you capture all these moments while managing a complex, dynamic, and often unpredictable event? And, how do you pull this off whilst remaining calm and collected and all-kool like? If you're running around frazzled with stress, in complete chaos then you're not going to shoot your best work!

The challenge begins with understanding how to approach wedding photography to minimise your stress on the day and manage your client's expectations. The moment you accept a wedding photography gig, you are diving into a day filled with high expectations, intricate schedules, interacting with diverse wedding guests, and navigating through unforeseen surprises. So, how can you embrace these challenges and turn them into the opportunities needed to deliver on your promises?

So, let me drop some behind the scenes wedding itel on you, stuff I do to give an idea… I'll sit down here with a couple and have a relaxed conversation with them. They're kicked back and chill on the sofa, cuppa and biscuits in hand. I listen to them, chat about their vision and the style of photography they're drawn toward. They've already heard me wax on lyrically about the virtues and importance of choosing the right photographer for them, the importance of choosing someone they trust, someone who's portfolio gets them jazzed. My website has pretty pictures, useful information, prices… it gives them everything they need to take the next step. I follow this up with email marketing; subtle stuff, useful stuff, stuff that begs questions to be answered so they get back in touch, stuff they can use whoever they eventually chose- y'know, like top tips, guides, kool info I think they might like to read, links, whatever…

My enthusiasm for creating memories for them shines in everything they read or listen to, I exude professionalism, I know weddings inside and out, and by the time they're sitting in front of me, they already feel they can trust me to do as I say I can do. They dig my style of photography, they see my display albums on show, wall art hanging on the walls, they're aware I've been doing this full time for 20yrs as a pro, and I'm rather knowledgable on the subject of weddings and happy to share my wedding wisdom and chat enthusiastically about their day. Their wedding day is all about them and their memories, and not about my photography. My role is to become the bridge between their dreams and reality. I listen attentively to their desires, dive into the intricate details of their vision offering advice and tips and ideas, y'know, small details most couples overlook. Do they prioritise candid, emotional shots that capture the essence of the day, or are they leaning towards the traditional, posed portraits? You don't know until you ask the questions, but do it well and it slips seamlessly into conversation and you can just riff along with them, cohersing them subtley into picturing themselves and their day with you, as you talk all things weddingy and awesome to them… pour the velvety honey of wedding awesomeness into their ears, show them your passion, be utterly pro of course, but be the creative they trust to capture their important day.

Do the hard work beforehand that makes the selling part easy. Build trust and you'll find the couple's who 'get you' and your vibe will be the ones attracted to you. Chances are by doing this you'll get along great and most of the time they'll commission you to capture their memories. My conversion rate for couples I get the chance to sit down with is high, around 90% because of what I do before meeting them.

Contact with my clients doesn't stop once they're booked onto the system either; I keep in touch with them every now and then offering advice and answering questions to build connection. You are offering a service.

Fast forward to a month before their big day and they're fully in 'wedding mode' and we'll get back together to craft a schedule that accommodates their preferences, using my experience on how best to navigate their wedding day. This involves nailing down the timings, deciding on the best locations, and identifying those crucial moments they wish to be captured. And to ensure a stress-free day for everyone, I always build some buffer time into the schedule to provide a safety net for capturing everything we need. Sometimes I do this pre-wedd chat with them back here on the sofa, sometimes I'll meet them at their venue tying in with their final venue chat. We'll have a stroll around together and I'll offer creative ideas and fill their imaginations with happy thoughts to calm any pre-wedd nervousness. It becomes a bit more tricky if your clients live miles away and are getting married at a venue well out of your area, and video calls are the only option. You kinda need to approach that one a bit differently, but we'll assume most of your clientele is local enough to you for face-to-face conversations to happen.

Their big day finally comes around. I know the score, I know what is happening, I have the plan, and my soon-to-be-wed couple are on-board with the plan, so I only have to concentrate on being awesome. My kit was all prep'd the day before, I sat down and walked the day through in my mind, planning for contingencies, and I have a few ideas on what I am going to shoot and areas I'd like to shoot in. My Plan A, B, and C is dialled in. I am as calm as I can be knowing I've prep'd as much as I can. I have a motto, “fail to prepare, prepare to fail” one cannot plan for everything of course, this is a wedding day, but I can plan for the elements within my control and have flexibility born from experience.

It's now time to head into battle full of smiles and enthusiasm.

Of course their day is amazing, I follow my plan, and sure there were a couple of hiccups during the day, every wedding has them, but thankfully my built-in buffer time saved the day and we ran to schedule (just about!) I nailed all the shots we'd discussed together plus my usual stuff, and they were relaxed all day full of smiles as they had trust in me. I delivered on my promises.

My skill and professionalism shaped the outcome of the day.

Now, let's imagine a scenario where managing client expectations is overlooked, timings are non-existent, and interaction with wedding guests is somewhat lacking shall we say. This tale of stress and woe unveils the pitfalls that many unprepared photographers encounter. Let's paint a picture of this underprepared photographer who decides to wing it on a wedding day. I'm gonna make you the star of this just so you can picture yourself in over your head on a wedding day… roll with me on this, I'm not aiming this at you, more setting a scene…

So, in this scenario, a couple book you based on price alone. Your website had a few pictures, some words about shooting weddings in any style, your prices are advertised as cheap or affordable. You've done your homework and checked out other photographers prices in your local area, and you came to the conclusion that simply undercutting them on price is the key to success, or to offer more for the same price.

Picture this wedding day without a plan. You did at least ask the couple to email you a list of all the shots they wanted, but their vision remains a mystery to you, and you find yourself navigating through the day simply being reactive to whatever happens in front of you.

The absence of timings amplifies the tension. Delays are inevitable, it's a wedding day, you're caught in a web of stress, and as moments stretch and schedules crumble, your composure teeters on the edge. You scramble to capture everything on the list, but it feels like chasing your tail in ever decreasing circles.

Interacting with wedding guests becomes a rush. You're there to capture their emotions, but the connection is missing as your stress builds with each passing minute. Instead of friendly, spontaneous reactions, you rush about only capturing forced smiles. The photographs lack the natural emotions you wanted to shoot. Moments are missed, a few crucial shots aren't captured as you run out of time. You finish the day stressed and frazzled. You have over-sold and under-delivered. You dread downloading your cards and delivering to the client, knowing key moments were missed.

Sure, if you're shooting solely in a documentary style, then at least you stand a chance of getting away with no set plan, but it's when they start asking for groups, and expect some posed couple stuff that's when time flies by, as you're caught unawares. Yes you may advertise as a docu-wedd tog, but most of the general public don't know what true documentary photography is and they mostly think it's natural stuff but with some stuff added in like groups and couple portraits- so not true docu-style, and unless you've had the conversations with them, you could well be caught out on the day. Communication is key.

Not all of my weddings have run smoothly and to plan I can assure you, I've learned a lot from my mistakes fo'sure. I've had weddings in my past where timings have run wildly astray, groups have been rushed, shots missed, client visions misinterpreted, jeez I've had a few in my time, and they are always utterly stressful days, the kind of days where I've questioned my choice of career. They're naaaasty, stressful long-ass days when that happens.

Anyway I only said this to make a point, to serve as a cautionary tale. It emphasises that overlooking the critical elements of wedding photography can lead to a tumultuous journey instead of a harmonious adventure. Or to put it more bluntly, mess things up on the day, and you have very limited options to put things right. Do things right, and it's an amazing career, it's awesome watching couple's reactions to seeing their images or unwrapping their wedding albums in front of you and being overjoyed at what you've created for them- it's an immensely fulfilling experience. ****

In essence, being a wedding photographer means more than simply knowing how to operate a camera. It goes beyond decent camera skills, we need to be a people person, we need to be able to read a room, to react to unforeseen changes in requirements, or weather, or unexpected changes to the wedding day timings for example, venue restrictions, etc. Oh you're a natural light photographer? Ahh, it's a rainy winters day out there and you only have a small, dimly lit room to photograph in after the couple's mid-afternoon ceremony… good luck with that. Oh and you shoot a docu-style, and the couple have landed 12 group requests on you and are expecting to be taken off for some couple shots, and they're sitting down in half an hour to scoff food… yeah pull that off without melting!! Don't be that unprepared photographer, learn to be better than that please, for your couple's sake! This is their day and their memories in your hands.

Embrace client communication, show empathy and understanding. It's about listening and interpreting emotions. Through chatting and listening, we become the bridge between ideas and reality. Our role is to be the best we can be, each and every time we shoot a wedding.

Effective scheduling is the sat-nav guiding us on this adventure. It's about nailing down the timings, having some ideas up our sleeves on what to shoot and where, and identifying the irreplaceable moments our clients desire. The schedule becomes our roadmap through the labyrinth of emotions, leading us to capture the essence of the day.

Guest interaction is fun and spontaneous. We're no longer a stranger with a camera; we blend in, we're part of the gang, guests think we friends of the couple just there snapping pictures. By being approachable and making people comfortable, we invite their true selves to step into the frame. Our images reflect genuine emotions, etching the day's memories.

Yet, in this expedition we embark upon each time, the journey is often met with unforeseen surprises. This is where our composure comes into play. It's about embracing adaptability, remaining calm in the face of adversity, and navigating through the unexpected. It's a delicate dance that ensures we capture every moment, no matter how unpredictable.

So, how do we simplify this message? At its core, it's the art of managing client expectations. It's about more than just having a conversation; it's about having the right conversation.

Imagine yourself not as a service provider, but as a story teller, a guide perhaps. Your interaction with clients is more than just a financial transaction; it's a connection. It's the moment you say 'I do' to a couple, and join them in the journey to their wedding day. Are they looking for the natural vibe? Or do they lean towards the posed timeless stuff, with those beautifully dialled lit portraits? In my experience it is probably a mixture of both, but it's your job to find out.

By understanding your clients deeply, you lay the foundation for your journey together. It's not about being a mind reader, but about being a heart listener. It's the art of translating their emotions into tangible, beautiful memories.

Let's pause and reflect on the impact of this journey so far, not just for us the photographers but for everyone involved. We've imagined a wedding day where client expectations remained unaddressed, where the elements of time were underestimated. The consequences rippled through the day, leaving a trail of stress in their wake.

For the photographer, it's a journey through chaos, where moments slip through the cracks, and they capture only half of the story. The disappointment lingers long after the day ends. The dissatisfaction of the client, anticipating moments that remain unphotographed, is a bittersweet memory that no one wishes to savor.

Now, picture the different scenario where the day unfolded harmoniously, guided by the art of managing client expectations beforehand and understanding the nuances of a wedding day. The photographer glided through the day, capturing the emotions, the memories. The client loved their images, they raved about the photographer to their friends, that tog is totally gonna get an enquiry or two on the back on this. The impact of this journey is evident in the smiles, the tears, and the stories shared for generations.

In essence, mastering this journey extends beyond the photographer and the client; it touches the hearts of everyone who witnesses the magic of the day. It's an experience to cherish, where the legacy of moments lives on. And work you magic on the day, wow the guests with your awesomeness, and who knows, you may just well score some referrals. And this what being a pro is aaaall about

As we reach the end of this journey, let's remember the wisdom in the story of the chaotic, unprepared photographer. It's a tale that whispers a simple truth: the art of wedding photography is an intricate dance. Overlooking the critical elements can turn this dance into a chaotic stumble.

So, let us embrace this adventure with open hearts and open eyes. Let's manage client expectations, understand the benefit of time management, and connect with the souls behind the smiles. With the warrior spirit within us, we can turn challenges into opportunities, moments into memories, and chaos into smiling, happy adventures.

Photography isn't about snapping pictures; it's about capturing emotions and creating memories. It's about telling stories. This, my fellow photographers, is the magic of the journey.

In the words of the great photographer Ansel Adams, "You don't take a photograph, you make it." Let's make every wedding photograph a masterpiece, a testament to the warrior spirit that resides within us.

And with that, our journey continues, one photograph at a time, one moment at a time, one memory at a time.