Site icon ProVideo Coalition

The Wedding Day – Photo Timeline

Rick Ferro


For this article, I want to give you my timeline and tips on photographing the bride. It’s hard when you don’t have direct contact with your couple; I actually did not have a great dialog with my couple at all. I knew that I really did not have to worry, because the father of the bride was a professional photographer. I relied on him for advice when we talked at the Rehearsal dinner the night before. He took me around the area and I found really cool spots regardless of the weather.

This post used with permission from Rick Ferro and ShootSmarter.com

Timeline


Ceremony: 4 pm

Groom Photo schedule: 2:00 to 2:30

Bride Photo schedule 2:35 to 3:30

One of my favorite shots is placing the rings somewhere on the flowers. When it comes to an album design, adding text like the couples name, in the corner makes a perfect first page. See photo 01.

I always try to add a background to anything that is important. See photo 02.
After details are complete, I like to create images that have mood and impact. I love using window light mixed with a little of off camera flash.  Even though I originally shot this in color, I love what black and white does. To this image, I added NIK Filters black and white as my treatment. See photo 03. 

The Bride had a image like this on her iPhone and asked me if I would copy it. The 15 mm is the trick; I use it quite a bit. It gives really cool negative space.  Also, I like adding a little fashion. See photo 04.

Here is more basic traditional image; I will always do one of these too. I’m sure every bride wants a photo holding her flowers. See photo 05.

This is one of the easiest images to take when you have great back light.
Tip: Set your ISO AT 400, F 6.3 @ 1/60. I will always try to shoot it with 3 different lens, 24 to 105, 70 to 200, and the one I chose for this article, 15mm.  I opened up NIK Filters and added black and white. See photo 06.

Just when it was time to photograph the families, it started raining. Believe me, I did this image in seconds and then finished the rest inside the church. I always try to stay away from the altar of the church; to me it is very distracting. See photo 07.

Once her family was done, we moved the bride out to a special room so I could work with the groom’s family. Like I said, it was raining outside, so I looked for little cubby holes that would still make these images attractive. I have a Quantum Trio off to the right of my camera. I have it high enough so I eliminated any shadows. See photo 08.

Order of images:
Groom, Mom, Dad, Groom, Mom, Groom and Dad
Full length and ¾ length

Ceremony:

This beautiful church had a magnificent balcony. See photo 09.

Lens Canon 24 to 105 mm ISO 800 f 6.3 at 1/30 handheld. See photo 10.

Lens Canon 15mm ISO 800 f 6.3 at 1/30 treatment NIK Tonal Contrast. See photo 11.
Lens Canon 70 to 200 ISO 800 f 6.3 at 1/30. See photo 12.
Lens Canon 70 to 200, basically I just moved in closer. See photo 13.

Post ceremony Photos:

This is my money shot; it always takes a couple of minutes to develop.Keep in mind these folks are not professional models so be patient and watch for small details. Body language is the key! The groom should extend his leg out and they should be double profiled. I will also shoot this with multiple lenses. See photo 14.

What a difference from the last image, but keep in mind a good clean traditional image is always safe, will always make money, and please Mom. See photo 15.

This was actually my favorite image of the wedding and I did not set it up. It was truly spontaneous and cute. See photo 16.

Negative space will always give you impact and power. Not only does set the mood, but the church and 15mm lens really makes a statement. See photo 17.

Please check me out on Facebook, Pinterest, and my new teaching website: rickferrophotography.com

Happy shooting!
Rick Ferro

Exit mobile version