For some people wedding photography is a casual affair, take a point-and-shoot camera, and then snap away when the opportunity arises. But for some others, it is a very serious, full-fledged profession.  Wedding photos pose a challenge to take, merely because of the continuous activities that go on and the wide variety of lighting conditions that may occur. This will serve as a guide for those starting out in wedding photography and provide various tips and tricks.

Preparation : One of the most critical factors to be a successful wedding photographer is preparation. You have to prepare at least 2 months’ ahead of time to know the bride and the groom and understand their needs and expectations. Here are some good questions to ask:

How many photographers will there be? What kind of photos would they like, mostly formal group portraits or mostly candid shots of the couple? Approximately, how many invitees will attend the wedding? Which locations will be used at the wedding, a church and will there be a reception or a dinner? Such questions will help you understand the requirements for the wedding photos and thereby take better shots.

Find some time to study well the locations, for a church go inside to check out the lighting, décor and environment and find the right places to position you. If a church bans flash during the ceremony, get a fast lens. Checking out the reception area or the podium where the speech will be made is also necessary. If there is a wedding dance, check out the dance floor and the seating arrangement if possible. 

Organizing Your Gear : This is a critical step. The best option is to prepare 1 month ahead of the wedding date just to be sure you have time to get any equipment you might have missed out. A list of important equipment to bring for the wedding day follows:

1-A digital camera: You know what this is for. It is safe to have a backup analog camera as well, just in case something happens to the main one.

2-Camera lenses and filters: Take with you any special lenses or filters you may need to use. 

3-Tripod: Another critical piece of equipment, important for indoor shots under low light. 

4-Memory cards: Take at least two 1 GB cards. You do not know how many shots you will take during a wedding. 

5-Portable drive: This is critical in case you run out of space on those memory cards. 

6-Assistant: Better have an assistant preferably a friend or help at the wedding. He/she can help you arrange the group before you take photos. This will take a lot of burden from you.

These guidelines might have helped you to fully prepare for the wedding shooting. Go ahead and capture the unforgettable moments in a highly professional way.