I've yet to shoot a wedding where my 35mm wasn't wide enough, but I'm realizing that's a potential blind spot in my kit.

I primarily shoot with high-end primes and keep a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS for extra reach. What I'm missing is anything wider than 35mm, and I don't want to get caught unprepared.

I'm considering the Sigma Art 24-35mm f/2 to replace my 35mm Art, while keeping my 85mm f/1.4, 100mm macro, and 70-200mm.

My dilemma: Wide-angle primes aren't much cheaper than a used 24-70mm f/2.8. At that point, does it make more sense to sacrifice some speed and just get the versatility of a zoom?

Wrapping up my 3rd year of weddings and entering into my 4th, I'm at a point where I've began hiring more second shooters for groom gr/general second pov. My gear: Z6III, Z6II, 28-75 G2, 70-180 G2, V1's and a whole bunch of primes. However, every second shooter that I've worked with and have been able to find in my area shoot either Canon or Sony. I'm in the thick of editing a massive 10 hr wedding, and no matter which presets, profiles, masking or point colors I do, the files are just so different from one another and it's definitely slowing me down more than I'd like. I've also noticed that Sony files tend to preserve whites easier, while Canon files seem to have a wider range of data in the mid tones if that makes sense?

Anyway, I adore my Nikon greens and the ergonomics of their bodies, but I also need to simplify things for 2027 if I'm going to continue taking on weddings in addition to the 9-5. Has anyone switched brands and bodies just for the sake of editing or working with second shooters? Would hiring an independent editor be the answer (that feels rude to hand off two totally different files to an editor and say "good luck, bye!")? Is there some magical hack aside from profiles and spending an obnoxious amount of time hand editing files from the same scene? Of course I treat my second shooter files as filler and don't include all of them, but enough that this is becoming an issue. Send me your wisdom!

Hi everybody !

I need some feedback of more experienced photographers.

Every time I am booked for my lowest forfait, my clients are somewhat disappointing with the result, but those who booked the biggest ones are always very satisfied.

I know that the cheapest are often picky. It's driven me crazy, I am currently questioning my work. I don't get it.

I think (really, I THINK) that they compare their photos with higher end wedding and somewhat are disappointing?

I don't know, can you help me sort it out ?

Editing bridal party photos and the bride is very intentionally doing this in one shot with her bridesmaids. Curious what others think and how they would handle it.

Long story short I have been into photography for about a decade. I am definitely not exceptional, but I know a lot and I know what to do. It was always a hobby for me to enjoy.

About 6 years ago I was shooting some models for money and people were telling me I should go into wedding photography but I refused to pursue the opportunity , cause I just wanted to shoot for fun and comply with no one + I was making good money and I literally didn’t care.

Truth is I even stopped taking photos at all, but I picked the hobby again, since I became a father in order to document as much as I can for my daughter.

A month ago I was at a wedding and when I found out how much the photographers get paid nowadays for a wedding made me think I should go for it.

I know it isn’t easy. I know a lot is at stake and it’s very important to do your job correctly, cause it means a lot for the clients.

The upcoming summer I want to prepare and go shoot some events (for free) in order to get some experience, maybe shoot as a 2nd photographer as well for a wedding etc.

Give me some tips, please.

Now - a little camera talk. I went through crop DSLRs, I had a mirrorless A7 back when it came out and now actually I mostly care about shooting film - digital is boring to me, I feel like it’s just for professional work (which wedding photography is)

Today I got a Canon RP, a nifty fifty and a 430 EX which is for family and vacation photos but I believe it will do the job for a 2nd camera paired with a zoom. My plan is to get a 5D Mark IV (cause I always wanted to have one) with I guess a boring 24-70 2.8

Bottom line is - I want to have fun and decide if shooting weddings is for me. Is enjoying myself (with a DSLR) going to limit me greatly taking into consideration there will be no eye AF? Should I just go for an R6 mark I since they are virtually the same price?

I have shot with Nikon as a wedding photographer for 10 years. I have preferred Sony images of my second photographers so much more - the colors are so much better and plus, that 28-70 2.0. I have two z6 iii’s and would switch to Sony A7 IV. Has anyone else made the switch? What is the difference in auto focus, eye tracking, etc? I’ve read the hot shoe on the Sony has some issues.

The Nikon is just so high contrast, punchy and clinical in a way I really don’t enjoy, and I don’t have any interest in the huge files of the z8, though I’ve seen those images do render differently.

Any insight is so appreciated! And please, no mean comments!

My couple did a church ceremony and no one announced that they wanted an unplugged ceremony. Of course, there are TONS of cell phones held up throughout the ceremony, especially during the big photo moments. I’ve never had a client request that I remove them, but they actually called me quite upset FROM THEIR HONEYMOON when they got the sneak peak to ask if I could remove the cellphones when I edit the rest of the gallery. I panicked and said I could try.

Well, the shit has hit the fan as Im working hard to get this gallery done (the bride is so anxious for it) and of course I don’t have the time or frankly the skills to edit the damn cell phones out of every image. Even when generative AI manages to make a hand look Normal and not like a claw, people are still awkwardly standing there with their hands up. It doesn’t look right. I removed a few from key photos but mostly gave up. 

So what do I say if they complain when they see the gallery? Is it common to do this kind of touch up editing? Another point worth mentioning is that one of the prominent phones was live streaming for a sick relative, which they probably don’t even remember. I don’t get paid enough for all the work and worry I’ve already put into this wedding. 

I shoot in a candid, documentary style. I’m really possessive over my style and being responsible for all the photos. I just got a request to shoot a wedding with 180 people. The client knows my style and they also aren’t doing getting ready photos or anything so I don’t necessarily need to be in 2 places at one time. I know it’s a high number of people but if they are aware it’s only me and know the style I have, am I being irresponsible to not get a second shooter? I also know they’re on a budget and I imagine a second shooter would add another $400 to the cost.

Guys I desperately need help on what I’m doing wrong for my reception shots. I have nailed bounce flash and being able to use that but I need help with direct flash. I use a godox v1c, and a x3 trigger with my 24-70. I recently had an outdoor wedding so I couldn’t bounce the flash so I had to use direct. I found it extremely difficult to focus and get them in focus because it was pitch black my focus point was searching a lot. I am still confused on how to get them in focus and how to get clean reception shots with direct flash. Please share your tips I would greatly appreciate it! Even your lens choice for reception/ or your direct flash settings. Thank you so much!

I’m wondering how soon after delivering photos do you post a carousel on Instagram? Is same day ok or should I wait a few days for the couple to look at their photos before I share them socially? I fear the first time they or their family and friends would see the photos would be on my Instagram but also does that really matter? I’m just antsy to post them!

Is she even a wedding coordinator?

Wedding coordinators, please understand when to step in and when to disappear.
Your job during a first look, entrance or any other emotional moment is not to adjust every strand of hair and every fold of the veil every few seconds.
Fix everything before the moment starts.
Once the bride is walking in, once the groom turns around and once they begin talking to each other: please step away.
At a wedding I recently filmed, the coordinator kept lingering around the bride during her first look and entrance, constantly adjusting her veil and dress. And I mean CONSTANTLY.
She even interrupted the first look while the couple was talking by loudly saying, “one moment, let me fix this.”
I still don’t know what she was fixing.
That audio is now part of their first look.
Then when she wasn’t fixing something, she came into the shot with her tripod. I had set up a beautiful wide shot while working around the photographer. The photographer wasn’t in my frame. The coordinator somehow was.
And then: “We’re running late.”
Please 😭
We are running late because I have had to redo shots and moments after you interrupted them.
Please don’t interrupt photographers and videographers in the middle of posing to tell us what pose we should do next either. We have a train of thought. We are watching the light, composition, movement, timeline and what we still need to capture. Having another person directing the couple at the same time doesn’t help us work faster. It slows everything down.
You also don’t need to step in and pose family groups unless the photographer actually asks for help. Helping gather the correct people? Amazing. Calling out names? Amazing. Keeping everyone nearby and organized? AMAZING.
Standing beside the photographer and directing the group yourself? Please don’t.
At one point I genuinely thought she was going to cut the cake with them too. But to my surprise she only stepped in one final time to move the plates closer to the couple because obviously they could not have possibly managed that themselves 😭
We can’t always stop everything during someone’s wedding and say, “please get out of my shot.” We’re trying not to create tension on somebody else’s wedding day.
So please have enough awareness to know when your job has been done.
Brides hire coordinators to make their lives easier. To keep things moving. To protect their timeline. To solve problems quietly behind the scenes.
Not to become part of every important moment.
Fix the veil. Fluff the dress. Gather the family. Prepare the entrance.
And then please, respectfully, GET OUT OF THE SHOT.

I'm curious what everyone is paying (or charging) for second shooting these days, and what factors go into determining that rate.

I know the cost of living has gone up so much across the US, and I absolutely believe photographers should be compensated fairly for their time, experience, and skill.

But I'm also curious how everyone is navigating the differences in experience levels.

For example, I have no problem paying a higher rate for someone who can walk into a wedding day, confidently handle different lighting situations, use off-camera flash when needed, anticipate moments, and work independently.

Where I struggle a little is when someone is asking $75/hour but is still learning some of those fundamentals, like using off camera flash / working in challenging lighting. Or someone who only has one lens kinda thing... no back up gear

And I don't mean that unkindly! We all started somewhere, and I love seeing newer photographers grow. I just think there's a difference between hiring someone who's still developing their skills and someone who can confidently handle just about anything a wedding day throws at them.

So I'm genuinely curious to hear from both lead photographers AND second shooters on this. I'm not looking to debate anyone's worth, just trying to understand how everyone is approaching fair compensation while also accounting for different levels of experience.

Ok, so I know this gets asked all the time. I have been a pretty loyal Sandisk user my entire career but before I drop $3k on newer SD cards (was shooting UHS-I V30's but quickly realizing this shit is too slow for my new cameras) is there really any difference in quality between Sandisk or Lexar. I think the savings is like $300 but always open to thoughts!

Hey everyone!
For U.S.-based wedding photographers who have traveled to Italy or Spain to photograph a wedding and then returned to the United States, I have a question about the legal requirements.
What visa, work permit, or other authorization did you need to legally photograph a wedding in Italy or Spain?
I’m specifically talking about flying in for a wedding you’ve been hired to photograph, working for one or two days, and then flying back to the U.S. — not relocating, opening a business in Europe, or staying long-term.
Did you enter as a tourist, apply for a specific work authorization, or use another legal arrangement?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from photographers who have actually done this and can share their experience, including how they handled the paperwork and how long the process took.
Thanks in advance!

I don’t know if this is Canon specific because I have only ever shot with canon— I’m sorry if this is canon specific.

But they have an option for RAW or cRAW. I have been shooting on RAW but my friend told me her and a lot of her wedding photog friends shoot cRAW. (Smaller files I guess?)

which I would prefer only bc it would save SO much room.
and with this economy and the crazy prices for storage now I could really use any space I can save lol.

But I want to get a second opinion and maybe further explanation of why you shoot with RAW or cRAW!

Thank you for your help!

I just received an email about it. Not that Zola was much better, but at the very least it wasn't a part of the TKWW scam.

Email came from Zola CEO and as you can imagine it is vague, and it doesn't give actual date when companies are merging. Supposedly Zola will remain independent and with their own team that is leading it.

Good lord I am tearing my hair out with Pic-Time. I've been with them for two years and I've continually had issues, predominantly with the Lightroom plugin.

First, renaming files caused all sorts of issues - fine, I'll rename them before uploading.

Next, galleries won't load for viewing - just a loading screen and no images. They advise not to use Pic-Time Safari on an M1 Max because that combination is known to cause problems. I start using Chrome for all my Pic-TIme work (30+ wedding galleries a year). OK.

Galleries won't sort. I'm going through the process of trying to sort by date captured, or file name, or whatever, and screen recording the process, showing that it doesn't work. Hit sort, nothing changes - still in whatever random order is was in before. Absolute nonsense behaviour. Send the video. They can't recreate it. Half an hour later, the scene has now sorted itself. They advise me to upload galleries one scene at a time as a workaround. Like - WHAT.

Sort doesn't work on iPhone. I do a screen capture, demonstrate it. Weeks later I get a message saying the team are still looking at it, and asking questions that just don't make any sense (like have you tried doing this in the full photographer interface, which is basically the only way you CAN try to do it on a phone.

A client wants to upload some photos to their gallery. I tick the box allowing that, and tell the client to go ahead. They come back to me confused saying they can't. I contact support and eventually find out that in Pic-Time 2.0, this feature doesn't work. Known issue. No idea whether it's been resolved.

The AI support chat is very very limited. The support staff are often friendly - I think because their messages are at times AI-written - and sometimes they have been helpful. But the issue isn't really the support. It's the design. They've put some much energy into the aesthetics and features of Pic-Time 2.0 that the platform is now really buggy. The plugin is a disaster.

I've only ever used Pic-Time and I love the way it looks. I like the physical product store. And moving my galleries away is going to be a horrible task. But it's killing me, these technical issues.

Just me?

I recently got my first few weddings under my belt this year (yay) but had a lot of experience second shooting beforehand, so its new for me communicating with other vendors as the photographers I second for handle all of those contacts. I feel that there seems to be some nuances about how I’m supposed to communicate with other vendors. For some context I’ve been very very lucky to second shoot quite a few luxury weddings now. The planners especially but all vendors were always very considerate of photo timelines—making sure we had time to capture the design, happy to make adjustments if we were slightly behind, communication throughout the day, working with you etc. We were always friends by eod even as a second shooter. Contrary to those experiences, for my first wedding I literally just felt like a the planner hated me from the get go. She knew it was my first as a main shooter which I’m sure affected the way she felt about me shooting and I understand that. But she was very hard to get information from, had to hassle for the timeline, and made me feel like every question or suggestion I was stupid. I wasn’t pushy at all but I needed these things to do my job. Barely any communication during the wedding (which would’ve been great considering the venue was double booked-found that out on arrival with the couple) The other vendors all knew each other as this was a destination wedding, and I felt like none of them would give me the time of day. I was confused and honestly felt like a loser.
At one of the other weddings the caterers were just plain horrible to my second and I. The couple had made it a point for us to sit down and have dinner as they paid for us to, the caterers saw us in the vendor room next to the kitchen—said they were busy and didn’t have time for this and literally shooed us out! I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong!!! I genuinelyy feel like I am easy to work with. I aim to be understanding, respectful, and friendly to everyone I encounter. Should I not have reached out to the planner as much? Should I initiate all communication throughout the day? Am I being hazed for being new to the industry? Should I just grow a pair?
If you’re willing, can you share a glimpse into how you communicate with other vendors? Are there boundaries / nuances beyond from what I might know as I’m just starting out?

Hey everyone,

Obviously shooting so many weddings and families every year builds up soooo much data. I’m wondering if anyone here deletes their raw photos after like 2 years to avoid having an unmanageable amount of data to store. Obviously I’d keep my favorites from every shoot but I’m not that attached to every photo I’ve taken for clients. My contract says I will keep photos up to one year and it’s up to the clients to download their images in time. Does anyone else do this so they’re not having to pay for like 15tb?

Had a night mare weddings yesterday. I met with the couple when they booked me back in February. They wanted a simple wedding at their church and reception at a local community building. I picked it up because I went to school with the grooms brother snd we were close friends back then. Shot their engagement shoot back in spring, they are mid 20s and shy yet seemed nice.
The church was a remodeled bowling alley into an independent church. When I walked in I seen a bridesmaid getting her hair done giving me evil death stares. After shooting some photos of the dress the bridesmaid turned to me and said "yeah I was the one that was messaging you about my wedding a month ago and you told me you didn't want to shoot my wedding... It's all good I found the RIGHT photographer."
I remembered her right away, from her messages she had bridezilla written in red marker all over her and I politely responded to her I'm going to have to pass on being her photographer after a few terrifying messages.
When it came time for the bride to get into her dress she was crying because she gained weight and it was very tight on her. I didn't have much to work with for photos. Very little decoration, all the church walls were painted neon orange and it was raining heavy outside. The brides mom told the florist "I'm not paying for these, they are so ugly" she ended up getting a discount. The flowers were quite beautiful, and I was relieved they purchased real floral instead of hobby lobby. I said to my self oh boy, this is going to suck.

After the ceremony while shooting family photos I was given nothing but trash attitude from the brides family.
They absolutely could not believe that I was capable of using my strobe while the room was dimly lit to get photos of them on stage, rolled their eyes when I asked them to stand over here or pose like this or that. The brides aunt kept fluffing the brides train out in an unflattering placement after I properly positioned it. But I made it through it.
Then I arrived at the reception hall after a 5 minute drive to the community center. The place was PACKED with tables and chairs where no one had room to stretch out their elbows. After shooting their entry and everyone starting eating it was starting to get dark outside. I was wondering how I was going to accomplish shooting their "hang on the wall or just married photos" as I call them of just them two.
Heavy rain and no where outside to shoot even if it was sunny. And no where inside. We discussed at the engagement shoot what we would do in the event of rain.
Shoot at a covered spot at the local park. She decided she didn't want to leave her guest when I asked her. I was panicking a little and made the decision to pull her parents aside and ask them what they wanted me to do, with no room inside the reception hall or areas outside to photograph them. I showed them some photos I took of the wedding party on the stage back at the church, I said these are decent but they deserve better photos. They went to talk to their daughter, she got FURIOUS. I heard her yell "well he needs to figure out how to do his damn job”

walked over and tried to calm her down a bit. I ended up convincing her to listen to my advice and drive right down the street to the covered park spot with the brides maids/ groomsmen along. Every photo she had a pissed off brat expression on her face. The sister telling me how I should do every photo standing right behind me pulling photos up on her Pinterest board. After a few minutes of that I took one of my cameras off my harness and said "you want to take them? Please teach me." After 15 minutes of shooting what I needed she said "can we go now?!" When they were cutting their cake noticed they had no plate to put the slice they share on, I walked over towards the food table to grab one and her mom was on her way with one. When I reached for the plate she snatched it back and walked past me to deliver it to them. I shot the photos of them cutting cake and began packing my gear up. The brides sister said
"whewwww yeah go ahead and leave boy!" and took one of her heels off and threw it at me smacking the wall.

I have shot around 160 weddings in my 7 years of wedding photography. I have had 4 "I need a drink when I get home" bad weddings ironically all of them being budget church weddings. But I had never had one so bad I had to walk out or it cross my mind. I will never takes up another low budget wedding and go through this again.

1. Trends are simply a way to think outside of the box, but never meant to say what's truly in.

2. It's more important being true to yourself and how you treat your clients versus the perception of how we glorify ourselves on socials.

3. Being able to document people is really a joy in itself, from happiness to sorrow.

4. When we aren't trying to be something, or trying to fit in and just let go then we become a lot more authentic ourselves.

5. There's always going to be drama, sometimes it's from newer photographers starting, or others who envy something about you -- best you can do is not feed into it.

6. Gear is only a fraction of the creation of the art we do, I still shoot on a 5D Mark 4 and a 35mm 1.4 II -- to some people that surprises them.

7. Having lesser of some particular shoot can be a good reflective time to ask yourself if you want to keep doing it, but also gives you a chance to prove yourself if you WANT to keep doing it.

8. If you've taken it too seriously, or even yourself too seriously, there's always still time to apologize and change.

Post individual wedding, engagement, proposal, couples photos or photo sets or blogs for feedback.

It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned pro, a second shooter, or if you are posting your first wedding photographs as a lead photographer. Don't be shy... constructive feedback is a great way for us all to learn and get improve. Be nice... Be constructive!

Please be constructive. Non-constructive, hateful, or disparaging comments will be removed.

Submission Guidelines:

In order to ensure informative discussions and worthwhile critiques while being mindful of the personal time of reviewers we have instituted the following guidelines.

• Single Images: Please post single images if you would like a quality and in depth critique of technical execution, lighting, composition, posing, perspective, post processing, etc. If you would like to post more than one individual photo, please do so as separate comments.
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This critique thread is intended to help provide access to thoughtful and thorough portfolio review. For that reason, it is best to remain focused which can be achieved by following these guidelines. These are merely guidelines, but if they are followed you will receive a greater response and much more useful and comprehensive feedback