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How To Keep From Screwing Up When Photographing an Important Wedding

wedding photography tips
This is a guest post by wedding photographer Laura Novak.

How many of you tend to feel nervous the morning of a wedding? Do you check your batteries and chargers at least a dozen times, or panic trying to remember if there is gas in your car? Maybe you second-guess yourself on your start time, frantically searching for your paperwork to make sure? Truthfully, even after photographing hundreds of weddings, I never stopped having at least a little twinge of nervous energy in my stomach the morning of a wedding.

But there have been some times where it was more than just some butterflies. There have been a few weddings where I can remember being a complete wreck! Usually this is the case when I feel like it is going to be a great opportunity for my career; where I know I not only have to get great images for the bride and groom but network with someone very important at the same time.

So today I’m going to share some tips I learned from shooting a potentially career-changing wedding (the good, bad, and the embarrassing) and how you can make sure it goes as well as possible for you.  [Click to read more]

Nailed It! How to Be a Fantastic Second Shooter

Second Shooter jobs
I remember my first gig as a second shooter for a wedding. I laid in bed the night before, dreaming up all the disastrous situations that could possibly occur that would surely prove my incompetence as a photographer.

What if I drop my lens? What if the lead photographer asks me to do family portraits? What if I reformat my card and lose all my images?!

I stared at the ceiling while running through scenario after scenario until my brain finally conceded and I passed out for the night.

Now, a year and a half later, and I’m the poster child for having “it” together. I know what to bring, how to act, and nerves no longer steal my precious sleep (I’m a monster without at least 9 hours).

So if you’re feeling clueless about second shooting, where to find second shooter jobs, or just want to know how to be better at it, prepare to be educated until your brain fills up. I’m going to give you a glimpse into my super stellar Second Shooter Handbook (not a real thing… please don’t Google it).

 [Click to read more]