Wedding photography: it’s beautiful, emotional, exhilarating, and yes, sometimes downright chaotic. One moment you’re quietly capturing the first kiss, fully focused and in the zone. The next, you’re weaving through a crowd trying to get the shot, only to be blocked by an overzealous uncle who’s determined that his iPad photo is the one that will go down in family history.

Welcome to the rollercoaster that is wedding photography.

What makes it so special is also what makes it so unpredictable. Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events charged with energy, expectation, and emotion. There are no do-overs, no controlled environments, and often no time to catch your breath. As a photographer, you’re not just documenting a day, you’re capturing moments that might live on for generations. That’s an incredible responsibility, and it demands a mix of technical skill, emotional intelligence, stamina, and quick thinking.

Over the years, I’ve shot weddings of all shapes and sizes, from intimate civil wedding ceremonies to large-scale celebrations. I’ve worked through blazing sun, sudden rainstorms, and timelines that changed by the hour. I’ve learned a lot, some of it the easy way, much of it through experience in the field.

So, whether you’re a fellow photographer interested in starting out in the field of wedding photography, or a curious couple wondering what goes on behind the scenes of your wedding album, here’s an honest look at what it really takes to create wedding photography, at least in my view.

Preparation: The Calm Before the Storm (aka, Do Your Homework)

Great wedding photography starts well before the big day. I’m talking weeks, sometimes months in advance. The actual photos might be taken in one whirlwind day, but the foundation is laid through careful preparation and good communication. I always meet or video call with the couple, because let’s face it, if I’m going to spend 12+ hours third-wheeling your wedding, we better click (pun intended).

These pre-wedding chats are more than just a formality, they’re essential. I ask a lot of questions. Some are practical, some are personal, and all of them help me understand what truly matters to you. Like:

What moments matter most to you?
Are there any surprise dance numbers I should know about (and where should I be standing when they kick off)?
Should I avoid photographing certain people together (family politics are real)?
Could you give me a quick mental cheat sheet of the VIPs (parents, siblings, close friends) so I’m not mistaking a random guest for your dad during the ceremony?

I also work with the couple to map out a timeline, ideally with some wiggle room, because weddings never run like Swiss watches. Having a solid structure with enough flexibility helps me stay one step ahead, anticipating moments before they unfold.

Pro tip: Build trust early. Clear, honest communication before, during, and after the wedding makes all the difference. It puts everyone at ease, especially the couple, and when people feel comfortable, they act more naturally, resulting in beautiful images.

Gear Talk: Tools, Not Crutches

Let’s get nerdy for a second. Gear talk. My typical wedding kit looks like this:

Two Sony A7 IV cameras, because having two bodies means I can switch focal lengths instantly without fumbling with lens changes, and more importantly, I have a backup in case one fails (which will eventually happen at some point).
Lenses:

Sigma 24–70mm f/2.8 – my workhorse. It’s flexible, sharp, and handles everything from wide shots of the ceremony space to tight, emotional moments during speeches.
Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM – perfect for storytelling. It gives me context while keeping a natural perspective. Ideal for candid scenes during prep and reception.
Sony 85mm f/1.8 – for portraits, vows, and quiet, intimate moments. It compresses backgrounds beautifully and gives that lovely separation between subject and scene.
Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM – when I need to keep my distance but still want emotional close-ups without being intrusive. Especially useful in churches where movement is limited.

One flash to pull a lot of weight during receptions, poorly lit churches, and anywhere else where natural light disappears. I use it to create extra light, for shutter drag, or creating shape and contrast where there is none.
Enough batteries and SD cards to power a small army – because eventually, they will die on you. Usually at the worst possible time, like just before the first kiss. Or during the ceremony. So I always pack extras, labelled, organized, and within reach.

The philosophy behind my gear is simple: it should help me, not get in the way. Everything I carry has been tested in real wedding conditions. It’s fast, reliable, and versatile. If a lens or piece of equipment doesn’t earn its keep or slows me down, it stays home. I don’t bring gear to impress other photographers, I bring what lets me work smoothly and stay focused on the couple.

And yes, always shoot with dual card slots. Always. One card for backup, one card for sanity. Because someday, no matter how careful you are, your SD card will fail. And in that moment, you’ll feel your soul quietly leave your body while you smile and pretend everything is fine. Trust me: dual slots.

Anticipation: Be the Ninja, Not the Tourist

A huge part of nailing wedding photography is being invisible, yet everywhere. You're not just documenting events as they happen, you’re predicting them. Anticipating them. Living five seconds in the future while staying completely rooted in the now.

It’s not enough to see a moment, you have to anticipate it. When the bride is about to walk down the aisle, you should already be in position, composed, and ready before the music even starts. When it’s time for the first kiss, your shot should already be framed, focused, and waiting. These key moments happen in an instant, and being prepared means you won’t miss them.

It’s a dance of timing, instinct, and knowing people. Once you’ve done enough weddings, you start to read the room like a psychic. Dad’s about to cry? Boom. Got it. That groomsman is about to fall during the group photo? Yep, nailed it.

This kind of anticipation separates a good wedding photographer from a lucky one. It means you’re in the right place before the moment happens, because if you’re reacting, chances are you’re already too late. And trust me, those once-in-a-lifetime moments don’t politely wait for you to change lenses or rethink your angle.

Lighting: The Ultimate Frenemy

Wedding photographers face every lighting situation imaginable in a single day: moody candlelit dinners, harsh mid-day sun, soft golden hour portraits, and dark reception halls or churches.

I try to prepare for all of it. My Sony A7 IVs handle low light exceptionally well, and fast primes like the 35mm f/1.4 GM and 85mm f/1.8 are my low-light heroes. They let me preserve the mood and avoid pushing ISO to outer space. These lenses are sharp, bright, and versatile and never let you down when things get tricky.

As for flash… well, let’s just say it’s not my favourite thing to use, but it's a necessary evil. I bring it, I bounce it, I diffuse it, and I try to make it feel as natural as possible. Flash becomes essential during dimly lit ceremonies, indoor receptions, or anywhere ambient light just isn't cutting it. My goal is to use it in a way that enhances the scene, not overwhelms it.

Hot tip: Don’t fear bad light, learn to control or embrace it. You won’t always get golden-hour perfection or soft window light. Sometimes, the weirdest lighting creates the most interesting, cinematic, or unexpectedly beautiful images. Other times, it just forces you to get creative, which is part of the fun.

Lighting is rarely ideal across an entire wedding day. But with the right gear, a flexible approach, and a little stubbornness, you can make any light work for you instead of against you.

Not Everything Goes According to Plan (And That’s Okay)

Here’s a universal truth: weddings are unpredictable. Someone’s always running late. The outdoor ceremony that was meticulously planned for? It might rain sideways.

Your job? Roll with it. Pivot like a wedding day professional. Stay positive, calm, and solution-focused. I’ve had to rearrange group shots on the fly, change locations last minute, and even help bustle a wedding dress with one hand while adjusting my shutter speed with the other.

Weddings rarely go 100% according to plan, and that’s part of the reality. The key is to adapt, stay present, and find ways to make the unexpected work for you. Whether it’s a weather change, a delayed schedule, or a technical hiccup, your ability to think on your feet and remain composed under pressure will make all the difference.

Adaptability isn’t just a nice-to-have skill, it’s essential.

Candid Rather Than ‘Plandid’

Yes, we do the portraits. Yes, we pose people for those classic, perfectly composed shots. But the best shots? Those are the candid moments. The way the groom sneaks a look at the bride during dinner. The spontaneous laughter during speeches and dances. Grandma tearing up during the vows.

These are the moments that can’t be faked. They’re fleeting, raw, and beautiful, and they’re the heart of any wedding gallery. To capture them, you need to be more than just a photographer with a camera. You need to be present, aware, and quick. You need to have an eye for the unexpected, the unscripted, and the unposed. It’s about being there, without getting in the way, and letting the emotions unfold naturally.

These candid moments are the ones that couples will look back on and (hopefully) cherish forever. They capture the essence of the day, the joy, and the love in a way that posed photos simply can’t. When done right, these fleeting moments tell the real story of the wedding day.

Caring is Your Superpower

Here’s something that might sound a little cheesy, but I swear it’s true: caring about your couple makes you a better photographer.

When you genuinely care, you pay more attention. You become attuned to the emotional currents of the day, the quiet moments of joy, the unspoken connections, and the tender glances. You make people feel comfortable, seen, and celebrated. And that energy? It absolutely shows up in your photos.

I genuinely want my couples to have the best day possible. I want their photos to do more than just capture what the day looked like, I want them to reflect what it felt like. The laughter, the nerves, the overwhelming joy they experience in front of the people they love most.

When you care about your couples and their story, it’s reflected in every shot you take.

Sneak Peeks: The Cherry on Top

The day has been full of emotions, laughter, and memories, and naturally, they’re eager to relive it all. To keep that excitement alive and help them hold on to the magic of the day, I often send 10–15 sneak peek images within 24 hours.

These sneak peeks are carefully selected, just enough to give them a taste of what’s to come without overwhelming them. It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long way in building trust and reinforcing that I’m fully invested in their experience. It also keeps the excitement alive, couples love to relive those special moments while waiting for the full gallery.

Beyond the immediate gratification for the couple, these sneak peeks help me manage expectations and prevent the inevitable "Sooo… any previews yet?" texts every few days. It’s about keeping the energy positive and ensuring they feel heard and cared for from start to finish.

Final Frame: What Wedding Photography Is Really About

Wedding photography isn’t just about sharp images or perfect lighting, it’s about presence. It’s a craft that balances preparation with spontaneity, technical precision with emotional sensitivity. Every wedding is a new story with its own pace, its own surprises, and its own version of chaos and beauty.

What makes the job meaningful isn’t just the gear or the experience, but the intention behind every frame. The ability to see moments forming before they happen. To adapt when plans change. To stay calm when timelines fall apart. And above all, to care, not just about the work, but about the people in front of the lens.

When you’re genuinely invested, your photography moves beyond mere documentation. It captures the subtle nuances of each interaction. And in the end, that’s what matters most, the images hold up because the moments were real, and the approach was honest.

How I Shoot Wedding Photography: Lessons from the Field