From the outside, being a Naples Wedding Photographer looks like an easy life. Work a couple of hours, chat to some people, shoot some film, then off home right? Walk a day in my shoes and see what really goes on. Then you’ll change your mind.
My day starts at 6am, where I have a good breakfast and plan the day with my wife, who is also my business partner. Then we head to the office where we get marketing, answer correspondence and try to drive the business forward. Work doesn’t land in my lap, I have to fight to get it. I write a blog post to promote my services, check out any new equipment that’s due on the market and make some calls.
By about 8am, I’m talking to our wedding album supplier about new designs. Then checking inventory and ensuring we have everything we need for the week ahead. Then the work for that day begins.
I first check the equipment I’ll be using, then rechecking it. I pack spares of everything, make sure all the batteries are fully charged, the memory cards are empty, formatted and one is loaded. I then pack the car, and put a spare camera next to me in the front, you never know what might happen on the way.
I make my way to the brides house, take a look around, meet the people and take some pictures of a worried woman getting ready for her big day. I then rush over to the grooms place and do the same. The groom is generally more relaxed and his buddies are teasing him or drinking. I then go back to the brides house and get a couple of shots of her almost ready, and a first shot of the dress.
On the way to the venue, I stop at the post office to send some proofs I did the week before. The wedding is set for 1pm and I’m there at 12pm, to check out the venue, locations, backgrounds and have a good look around. Then I talk to the manager, priest, vicar or whoever is performing the ceremony to go through the schedule and cover off any particular rules they have.
I then go outside and take shots of people when they arrive and wait for the bride and groom. I get the groom as he gets out the car, then again at the altar or wherever the registrar is, then head back outside to wait for the bride. I get her as she arrives and repeat the procedure until the ceremony starts. I get what I can during the ceremony, depending on the rules.
After the ceremony I capture everything, then move on to the posed pictures. I spend as little time as possible doing this as nobody likes it, but they are a staple of the day. I try to control the shot and get everyone smiling and take as many shots as I can get the party to pose for before leaving.
That’s just the day, it isn’t over yet…
Being a Naples Wedding Photographer, The Day
Naples Wedding Photographer
02/10/2010