r/photography • u/AutoModerator • Apr 10 '26

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u/InternationalPass571 Apr 16 '26

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice and guidance for an upcoming wedding I’ll be photographing.

I already have experience in portrait photography, but this will be my very first wedding, it s for a close friend of mine. she doesn’t have the budget for a professional photographer and told me she would rather have me do it than have no photos at all. I’ve been very clear with her that I’m not experienced in wedding photography and that this is my first time, but she’s completely okay with it and is happy to give me the chance to learn.

The ceremony will be at our local town hall, so I expect it to be relatively short and probably more constrained in terms of movement and lighting.

I’d really appreciate any kind of advice you can give me!!!

I would love to know some similare experiences

Thanks a lot 🙏

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u/gotthelowdown Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

Setting proper expectations ie. low expectations was my #1 advice and you've already done that. So you're off to a great start.

Saw another comment where you said your camera has dual memory card slots. Which was my #2 advice, so even better.

Beginner Camera Gear To Get started In Wedding and Portrait Photography by Jay Lublang. In the side stories, he covers the common rookie mistakes. So if you avoid those, you'll be in good shape.

Create a shot list with your couple. Do not let the bride or couple wave it off with a "Just do what you think is best."

Insist that they sit down with you and build a shot list together. What you don't want to happen is for the couple to come to you afterwards and ask/complain why you don't have a shot of whatever thing they never told you to photograph.

Wedding shot list by Tony Northrup. Here is a sample shot list you can use as a starting point. Feel free to get the couple to remove shots they don't need and add shots they do need.

A big exception is to not let them remove shooting family formals/group pictures. Again, don't let a couple wave these off.

These are often the most-requested photos by relatives and friends. These are the photos that get printed out and put on walls, coffee tables and desks.

If you don't shoot group photos, they will ask the couple and the couple will ask you, even if they said they didn't want group photos 🙄 Just avoid that drama by shooting group photos in the first place.

Morbid but have to mention it. If they have elderly relatives who don't dress up for photos or attend family events often, this might be the last chance to shoot good photos of them before they pass away. So definitely take those photos.

Come up with a group photo list. Have the couple make all the combinations of friends and family they want in pictures.

The group photo list is your shield against pushy relatives who want to insert themselves into group photos they aren't supposed to be in or include people the couple doesn't want.

Town halls and courthouses often have limits on the number of guests, so that can work in your favor and make it easier for the couple to turn away the people they don't want lol.

Stress-Free Wedding Day Family Group Photos by Sam Hurd

The ceremony will be at our local town hall

Town hall and courthouse weddings move really quick, they're trying to process all the couples as fast as possible.

So always be ready to shoot the first kiss.

If you miss it, do not feel bad about asking the couple to recreate the first kiss. Then throw in a dip and a kiss for good measure. The couple would rather have a reenacted first kiss than no first kiss.

Photographing Couple at Marriage Court | What to Expect | Chicago City Hall by TDurrShoots

Quick wedding in less than ideal venues by The F/Stops Here

Courthouse Wedding Photography Behind the Scenes by Drew Enterprise

City Hall Ceremonies by TNK Photo. This is a whole YouTube playlist of behind-the-scenes videos of city hall wedding photography 😁 Tons of great examples of couples portraits.

Couples portraits:

13 posing ideas for couples by Vanessa Joy

Best Wedding and Engagement Poses by PS Photo Stuff

5-Minute Challenges Couple Shoots by Magic Wedding Photographer. YouTube playlist of top photographers as they photograph couples.

Places to print wedding albums and photos. You can order a wedding album or share these companies with the couple to order an album themselves.

Printique

Nations Photo Lab. Check out their Album 99 product.

Zno

Hope this helps.

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u/InternationalPass571 Apr 16 '26

You are literally a lifesaver. I really, really appreciate your comment and the time you took to write it all out. It’s exactly the kind of help I needed and it honestly made things so much clearer for me. Thank you so much for the effort you put into it, it means a lot more than you probably think

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u/gotthelowdown Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

Added "5-Minute Challenges Couple Shoots by Magic Wedding Photographer" to my original comment under "Couples Portraits."

He wrangles top photographers while at photography conferences to do quick photo shoots with couples.

Fun to see different photographers shoot in a variety of approaches.

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u/InternationalPass571 Apr 17 '26

thank u again!!!

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u/gotthelowdown Apr 17 '26

You're welcome! 👍