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1) Get that first look as they sit down after the vows. Their eyes will be melting. 2) Beginners: don't be over-ambitious with your depth of field. Better to have it all in focus than just the wall behind the bride. The signing of the register can be tricky; it's a close, wide shot and the bouquet can end up very close to you. Remember: only one third of your depth of field is in front of the focal point, the other two thirds are behind. F8 until you are confident. 3) Invite the guests to take their own photographs after you. Then photograph them doing it. 4) If you have to shoot into the sun, expose for the background and fill with the flash. Crank the ISO right down, set the aperture and then use a neutral density filter to mop up any excess light. Then make sure your flash has enough power. Take the diffuser off for half a stop more. Check your shutter speed; above 1/200th set the flash to hi-speed sync. 5) CHAT...and smile the whole time. Don't ever fiddle with the camera in silence. Practise till you can tweak the settings while carrying on a conversation; "So where's the honeymoon?" (click, check). "Oh wow, I'd love to go there" (click, check) "When are you off? (click, check) "Now, that was great, just turn towards me, look back at Sandra..." (click, check) "That's super! Here, have a look!" When you get a nice shot, show them. Their confidence will grow and the next one will be even better. And if you smile at them...they will smile back. 6) THEN...go with the flow. Everyone looks good if they're enjoying themselves. The light's right, they're relaxed and laughing, so if they move, go with them. Underexpose, rather than blow the highlights. I've been two stops under to catch that split second when the bride caught sight of an old friend under a tree, but I got it back in Photoshop. Ok, the quality was less... but the expression was there. 7) Don't ever look puzzled! If all else fails, lick your finger and check the wind. It always gets a laugh...and buys you a few seconds. 8) Frame wide sometimes. Get the background shots for the wedding book. 9) Don't get separated from your gear. Plan your moves, particularly at the end of the service. It's difficult to get quickly and unobtrusively through crowds with your tripod and bag. Have stuff cached where you will need it next. 10) Take just a few seconds to check each shot. They'll wait that long, especially if you compliment them. "That's gorgeous, can you do that again!" can actually mean "I've blown the dress by two stops and the groom's tongue was sticking out." But they don't need to know that.
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