I’ve been shooting for about 9 years now and have shot around 350 weddings give or take. I stopped counting after the first couple of years. I have been shooting photo and video and have had the privilege to work with many amazing photographers and videographers. I am constantly learning from others and trying to better myself at every wedding. I don’t have a background in photography or film and pretty have learned everything from others and the internet. I actually have a background in engineering and initially loved the technology aspect of photography and grew to love documenting special moments such as weddings and portraits. I guess I would consider myself more of the “Nerd Photographer” because I am a gear junky and have to have the latest and greatest. What has recently caught my eye was the new Light L16 camera because of its portability and its ability to take multiple images and combine them into a single image using multiple built in lenses. The results are incredible and unlike any other camera I’ve seen. I must have this camera. With technology in photography constantly improving in quality, speed and size its hard to tell who the hired photographer is at a wedding sometimes. And if no one knows ever identifies the photographer at a wedding then he or she was a true Ninja Photographer. That or they just didn’t show up. My goal at weddings is not only to take amazing images and video for my clients to have memories of but to also be as discrete as possible and to not take any attention away from the bride and groom. Here are 4 main things that I do to ensure that.
1. Dress professional – When I first started I wore all black so that I would be dark and discreet but sometimes it was pretty obvious that I was the photographer and at times mistaken for a waiter during dinner. I always try to avoid getting in the videographer or other photographer’s shots but sometimes they are unavoidable and it was pretty obvious who I was. So now I wear a dress shirt and tie and ask my female assistants to wear a nice dress so that we look like we are actual guest and blend in. And if we are in some shots we will blend in as guests.
2. Keep your distance and know your restrictions – Some venues have certain guidelines to follow so that we aren’t visible and the center of attention is focused on the bride and groom in the beautiful backdrop that the venue has created. I always ask for those guidelines beforehand and make sure that I follow them. I turn off my flash during main events and turn the silent mode on my camera on. That’s super ninja. The Light L16 has amazing low light capabilities so that you rarely have to use a flash. I also use telephoto lenses and shoot from a distance so I’m not up close and in their faces blocking the guests and stealing the attention.
3. Be organized – I have a timeline that I ask my couples to fill out so that I am well prepared and know what is going to happen and when. I ask for that timeline at least a few weeks before the wedding and give my suggestions to allot extra time for pictures.
4. Communicate – I always communicate with all the vendors to make sure we are all on the same page. We are all on the same team and all equally important to make this day special and memorable for the Bride and Groom. Working together just makes all of our jobs much easier. That’s why I highly recommend hiring a good wedding coordinator on the day of.
I’ve been to a lot of weddings but for the Bride and Groom is usually their first time. Its very important to make them feel special and by being prepared and being a Ninja at their wedding will make their day amazing.
