Category: Resources

BRIDAL DETAILS

1. Bride’s gown – hanging, draped over chair, or on bed
2. Jewelry, shoes, and veil – close ups
3. Wedding Bands – close ups
4. Bride & bridesmaids bouquets

PREPARATION

1. Bride having hair styled/makeup applied (staged if necessary)
2. Bride getting into dress – buttoning/zipping of the dress, helping with the last detail (such as mother helping put on bracelet, veil, etc)
3. Girls reaction to bride in dress for first time
4. Bride full length shots – reflection in mirror
5. Groom’s Details – shoes, cuff-links/watch, tie
6. Groomsmen prep – adjusting tie, tying shoes, hooking cuff-links, putting on watch, attaching boutonnieres, toasts (staged if necessary due to limited time)

PORTRAITS/FORMALS

1. Individuals of Bride & Groom
2. First Look/First Touch (w/partner, parent, etc)
3. Bridal Party – basic/classic group shots, fun shots, bride and groom w/each individual
4. Immediate Family – parents, grandparents, siblings, if applicable children (groups + individuals)
5. Extended Family Portraits

RECEPTION DETAILS

1. Exterior of the site – before guests enter
2. Interior of the site – before guests enter
3. Small table details – place cards, centerpieces, decor, table settings, bridal table, gift table
4. The Cake – and/or dessert table

CEREMONY

1. Interior and Exterior of ceremony venue – prior to guests arrival, tribute to loved ones, altar details, etc
2. Groom escorting or walking down aisle – solo, w/parent or grandparent, etc
3. Bridal Party walking down aisle – shots of each couple walking down
4. Grandparents walking down
5. Bride & escort walking down aisle
6. Bride being given away
7. Couple at altar
8. Wide shots of the couple & bridal party at altar
9. Special moments – such as candle lighting, readings, etc
10. Vows – close up of couple as they read individually
11. Exchanging of rings – close up of hands with rings
12. The Kiss
13. Ceremony Exit – newlyweds as they exit the altar (hugging guests, hands in air, bubbles, getting into vehicle, etc)
14. Signing of License – if applicable

RECEPTION

1. Guest Book – detailed shots and/or guests signing
2. Bridal Party Intro – each couple entering reception
3. Newlyweds Entrance
4. First Dance
5. Couple at wedding table
6. Cake Cutting
7. Speeches/Toasts
8. Specialty Dances – such as father/daughter and mother/son
9. Dancing – parents, grandparents, wedding party, and guests
10. If events are incorporated into coverage time:
    1. Special Entertainment/Performers
    2. Bouquet Toss
    3. Garter Toss

d. Special Exit (sparklers, bubbles, car, etc)

The best ways to grow your wedding photography business. Yes, it’s easy to put yourself out there by commenting on posts looking for second shooters. 

Curate your website portfolio.  We recommend about 20-25

Be personal. be sure you’re crafting your email and included the element that photographer looking for

Specific about who you reach built a relationships with photographers are at a similar stage in business and styles.

Book a wedding hired a lead photographer and you could still be 2nd if you not comfortable shooting lead

• Arcadia Arboretum – $50 Permit Fee Applies
• Descanso Gardens – $50 Permit Fee Applies
• Downtown Los Angeles Arts District –
• Eaton Canyon in Altadena
• El Matador State Beach –
• Griffith Park-Fern Dell
• Griffith Park- Old Zoo
• Griffith Park- Travel Town Museum
• Griffith Park- Observatory
• Huntington State Beach –
• Joshua Tree –
• LACMA Lights – Some Restrictions May Apply
• Las Vegas Ghost Town Nelson- $50 Permit Fee Applies
• Malibu Creek -O’Melveny Park –
• Old Town Pasadena
• Pasadena City Hall – $75 Permit Fee May Apply
• San Juan Capistrano Mission – $80 Permit Fee Applies
• Santa Monica Pier – Pier itself does require a permit.
• The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens – $300 Permit Fee Applies
• UCLA –
• Vasquez Rocks –
• Vista Hermosa Park – To Downtown Los Angeles
• Nelson Ghost town $45

• Create a hashtag for guests to use at the wedding to upload & tag all your pictures
• Take a few moments at your head table to simply observe your family and friends. It might be just your favorite part of the night
• On your RSVP cards, put a line for a requested song. This way you will know what your guests want to hear and they will get excited when their song come on!
• When planning for your honeymoon, dont just make a list of things to pack but also a list of things to bring back.
• Splurge on a new perfume- it is a great way to capture the day’s memories. Every time you smell the fragrance, your mind will go to that special day
• When getting your wedding dress altered, make sure you can sit in it before they make the dress smaller
• It’s your wedding, not theirs. Be kind, but dont try to please everyone.
• Guests remember two things the most from weddings- the food and the music. Send them home with good memories
• Photographer recommends: Dont wear a bra the morning of your wedding. it will leave marks on your back and shoulders that will be visible in picture
• Have your engagement ring cleaned before your wedding day.
• The easiest way to pee in a wedding dress is to sit on the toilet backward, facing the wall