Thanks to the warm weather and longer days, summer is a popular season for weddings. Summer wedding photography is so much fun for the same reasons; The warm colors and relaxed atmosphere of summer can make for stunning photos.
Of course, every situation and season brings its own set of challenges for photographers, and summer is no different. The heat and light of the midday sun can be a challenge, especially when you’re shooting outdoors. I have compiled some important tips and considerations for photographing a summer wedding.
Tips For Wedding Photography:
1. Dress comfortably:
While dressing appropriately when photographing a wedding is important, it should also be comfortable enough to move around. This is especially important in warmer weather as you can’t focus on being creative when it feels uncomfortably hot.
Make sure your shoes are comfortable and choose lightweight, natural, breathable fabrics that are comfortable to squat and squat in. Beige or pastel colors are great options to keep you cool. Of course, even if the day started warm and sunny. You should bring an extra layer or two in case the weather changes. It’s also a good idea to pack some face and body wipes to keep you cool throughout the day.
2. Try to discuss the schedule with the couple ahead of time:
As a photographer, sometimes you just have to make the most of it, even when it comes to taking group photos and portraits in the blazing midday sun.
But if you have the opportunity, sit down with the newlyweds a few weeks before the wedding to discuss the timing and to compile an admission list. That way, you can make the couple understand how long it will take to get the photos they want and create a plan so they can work more efficiently on the day itself.
3. Start as early as possible:
Try to get to the venue as soon as possible so you can photograph the venue, location, and the smallest details like flower arrangements and table decorations before the guests arrive. The light becomes softer and you can take photos of anything while it is still cool and calm.
4. Find some shade for midday photos:
If you need to take group photos and couple portraits around noon when the sun is strong and bright, try moving to a shady place. This will help you escape the midday heat and avoid ending up with group shots where everyone is squinting into the sun. The shadow also works as a natural diffuser by removing harsh shadows and giving your photos a softer look.
5. Use a reflector in bright sunlight:
If you can’t move in the shade and have no choice but to capture the couple’s portraits in sunlight, you can use a simple reflector to minimize harsh shadows; reflectors are relatively inexpensive and can be used to shed light on your subject to reflect and fill in the shadows or even create some shadow by blocking the light coming from above.
6. Capture the summer vibe:
Summer weddings are usually fun and colorful events. So keep a record of all the little details that underscore the fact that it was a summer wedding. For example, you can try to include green deciduous trees and summer flowers in the background and get a foreground. Shots of things like ice cream cocktails and beers, menus and cards, and summer floral arrangements.
7. Show off the location:
While you want lots of close-up shots of details and intimate portraits, showing the location and surroundings is just as important, especially when it comes to summer weddings, as these are often held in quaint outdoor locations so make sure you have them next to your portrait lenses also have a wide angle lens that allows you to include more of the surroundings in your photos.
8. Be careful for blown out highlights:
On a sunny day, along with harsh shadows, dull reflections can appear and when this happens you may find that while most parts of your photo are well exposed, the lighter parts, such as the sky or the bride’s white dress, are overexposed.
Unfortunately, once part of a photo has been overexposed, details in low light cannot be restored. Make sure none of the most important parts of the picture are overexposed.
9. Take regular breaks:
When taking portraits and group photos outdoors in hot weather, frequent breaks are a must. For one thing, the bride and groom don’t look optimal in their wedding photos when they have been standing in the blazing sun for too long, and as a photographer, you won’t be doing your best job if you feel like you are overheating.
This is why it’s important to have a flexible, leisurely schedule that allows you to take breaks when needed to hydrate and refresh yourself.
10. Don’t miss the golden hour:
One of the best things about summer photography is the magical golden hour, when the sun is low in the sky and casts a soft, warm light on your subjects. Make a note of when the sun goes down so you don’t miss this opportunity to create romantic wedding portraits.
Of course, you may not be able to do the entire portrait session during the golden hour as other things may already be happening, but if you can, try to catch the newlyweds just before sunset for a few shots close. The results are guaranteed to be worth it.
To Sum Up:
A wedding is one of the most memorable events in a person’s life. It’s no wonder people are willing to pay big bucks for photos that capture the raw emotions and beauty of their special day. As the wedding photographer, your job is to set up and capture snapshots for the couple that they can remember for years to come of the love and happiness they felt on their big day.
