5 Tips on Becoming a Better Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography is a tough business, but it’s also full of opportunity. If you’re looking to make a name for yourself as a wedding photographer, you’ll need to learn from the best and practice constantly. That said, here are some tips that will help you make it in this competitive industry:

New York City Wedding Photo Shoot

1. Build your technical skills:

As a wedding photographer, you need to have a solid understanding of camera settings, lighting, composition, and post-processing. Take the time to learn and practice these skills regularly to improve your craft.Practice is the key to improvement. If you want to be a better wedding photographer, then practice shooting in low light and at night. Practice shooting in different environments and at different times of day. Practice shooting at different locations as well!

It’s easy for us all to get stuck in our own comfort zones when it comes to photography (and life), but if we want our work or abilities as photographers or people who love photography and are passionate about it all around us in general–not just weddings–to grow and improve then we need to step out of those comfort zones every once in awhile.

2. Develop your people skills:

Wedding photography involves working with clients, wedding party members, and vendors. You need to be able to communicate effectively, put people at ease, and build rapport quickly. Practicing your interpersonal skills will help you build a good reputation and ensure that your clients are happy with your work.

Attitude is everything. If you’re the type of person who gets down on themselves, or if your attitude is negative, it will show in your photos. Keep an optimistic outlook at all times!

Don’t let a bad experience get you down; learn from it and move on.

Ask for help when need be; don’t be afraid to ask other photographers for advice or critique (and don’t take their advice personally). Also, it’s okay for friends/family members not being photographers themselves to do test shots with their phones–they’ll still give valuable feedback on things like lighting, composition etc., which can be just as useful as having an actual photographer there helping out!

Don’t be afraid of taking risks either: try different things with composition or lighting styles until something clicks!

 

3. Invest in quality gear and learn from other pros:

Having good quality camera gear can make a huge difference in the quality of your photos. While you don’t need to go out and buy the most expensive equipment, investing in good lenses, a sturdy tripod, and a reliable camera body will help you produce high-quality images.

There are a lot of great ways to network with other wedding photographers and get feedback on your work. One of the best ways is to join a community of like-minded people who share their knowledge and experience in order to help each other improve. You can find many such groups on social media, but you’ll also find them at conferences and workshops, or even just by asking around at local events where photographers might be present (you never know who might know someone!).

If you want to learn more about how wedding photography works from someone who has been doing it for years, seek out mentors who are willing to share their knowledge with others–and don’t forget that there are plenty of online resources too!

4. Build a strong portfolio:

Your portfolio is the key to attracting new clients and establishing yourself as a professional photographer. Make sure your portfolio showcases your best work, and includes a variety of shots that demonstrate your range and style.

When you’re first starting out as a photographer, it can be hard to know where to begin. There are so many skills that you need to develop in order to become better at your craft–but where do you start?

The best thing that you can do for yourself is to learn from others and practice as much as possible. Study other photographers’ work, see what they do well and how they do it differently from other photographers. Then try incorporating these techniques into your own style of shooting weddings (or whatever else).

You also need practice shooting weddings yourself! It sounds obvious, but the more time spent behind the camera at real events will help build confidence and improve technique over time–and make sure that when we get into editing later on this list of five tips for improving wedding photography skillset becomes easier for everyone involved!

Same sex wedding at Robert restaurant in New York City

5. Keep learning and evolving:

Photography is an ever-evolving field, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. Attend workshops and conferences, follow other photographers on social media, and continue to learn and grow in your craft.

In conclusion, if you want to become a better wedding photographer, there are a few things you can do. First off, practice! The more you shoot weddings and portraits, the more experience you will have under your belt. Second, study the work of other photographers–both professionals and amateurs alike. You never know what tips or tricks could help make your photos even better than before. Finally, network with other photographers so that they can give advice on how best practices would work in their own lives as well ?”

 

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Starting your wedding photography career? Hey, I’m Tatiana, a wedding photographer based in New York City capturing love since 2004 and I’m here to help you start your journey! Leave me a comment below or shoot me an email at artvestastudio (at) gmail.com

Speak soon!


Ryan and Craig a fun wedding at Robert restaurant in New York City

New York City, Columbus Circle, Museum of Art and Design. It is such a dream for a modern and artistic couple to get married right in the heart of The Crossroads of the World at Robert restaurant inside of NYC’s MAD.

Ryan and Craig’s wedding took place in 2013, two years after gay marriage became legal in New York City. The incredibly happy spirit of the long-awaited change made the couple’s special celebration extra festive.

Ryan and Craig’s wedding took place in 2013, two years after gay marriage became legal in New York City. The incredibly happy spirit of the long-awaited change made the couple’s special celebration extra festive.

The couple’s wedding proposal was very simple and very true to their personalities. They are both in the entertainment industry and both lead very busy lives. They were both out of town for a bit and that day they were finally back home, in the same place, having one of those conversations when both parties are truly present and connecting. Ryan said, “What do you want to do for Valentine’s Day?” Craig said, “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” Ryan just looked up and said, “Go to Tiffany’s with you and look for wedding rings.” Craig said, “Is this a proposal?’ And Ryan replied saying, “You know that we’re going to get married….so….let’s start planning.” It was very simple and very sweet!

What do you want to do for Valentine’s Day?” Craig said, “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” Ryan just looked up and said, “Go to Tiffany’s with you and look for wedding rings.” Craig said, “Is this a proposal?’ And Ryan replied saying, “You know that we’re going to get married….so….let’s start planning.”

Their wedding day turned out a bit hectic. Ryan & Craig flew in their closest relatives to New York and their luggage got lost in flight! It meant that the couple’s moms, dads, and siblings had to purchase brand new outfits right before the wedding and our photo-session got pushed way back because of it. But I always plan every photo shoot and we managed to capture all the family formals in no time!

Ryan & Craig flew in their closest relatives to New York and their luggage got lost in flight! It meant that the couple’s moms, dads, and siblings had to purchase brand new outfits right before the wedding…

Once we were done with the formal part of the photo shoot, everyone seemed to become less tense. Robert restaurant’s staff was very helpful and accommodating, they brought in some wine and snacks to get our love birds and their families into a better mood. 

The reception was full of hugs, kisses, warmth and laughter . It was also a lot of fun! Some great entertainment options, such as a live band performance, a photo booth, and an exclusive MAD museum tour kept the guests entertained. It was definitely one of those couples and weddings that will stay in my heart forever.

 


A Foodie Wedding at The Upper Story in New York City

Everyone always wants something different, but what does that really mean for a wedding? By its very nature, weddings are imbued with tradition, rituals that make a wedding a wedding. Having said that, is there a way to personalize a wedding so that it feels authentic and reflects the couple who’s getting married? In essence, the inspiration behind this styled shoot was just that: how to take tradition and make it unique.

We wanted a Parisian-inspired theme for this New York City shoot. In New York City, the possibilities are endless but for every wedding, you must prioritize the things you think are most important. This couple would be all about the food, and so started with a venue that they knew could provide the delish meal that all their guests would appreciate. The next big-ticket item was the flowers. We wanted lush, lively, unique arrangements and chose a color palette to reflect the mood we aimed to achieve: lavender and ivory with gold accents. The French plates on the sweetheart table provided just another touch of class.

The stationery provided a warm winter feel with the lavender-velvet look that was used on the invitations and the menus. The main dinner table had a full, table-length ivory lace overlay. The clear chargers, purple candles, and gold vases were all carefully chosen to help enhance the dining experience.

For a smaller space, we didn’t want large, traditional gowns, but wanted to add a little classic touch with the veil. Traditional bridesmaids’ dresses didn’t fit the bill either, so we went with shorter dresses with elaborate detailing.

Every element, from the centerpiece down to the cake was carefully selected to provide a classic yet modern twist to a traditional rite of passage.

Venue/Catering: @upperstoryny |Photographer: @artvestastudio | Cinematographer: @firstandlastproductionsllc | Floral Designer: @glamurosa.designs | Planner: @wedding_md_ny | Stationery/Calligraphy: @g.c.lettering | Attire: @henry88designs | Hair: @instaglam83 for @glass_slipper_wedding | Makeup: @artistrybyjeanna_ | Cake: @sugarfetishcakery | Accessories: @alyson_nicole_ | Rentals: @chargedupeventsnj | Arch Rental: @partythemes973

Bride and Groom Models: @theadrianacabanas, @lloverafraank | Bridesmaid Models: @nasthya_arandatv, @_completebeauty | Groomsmen Models: @officialgerardocaballero, @iamjoelramirez

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A Walk Through The Woods winter styled wedding shoot at Intercontinental New York Barclay

It all started with an idea. An idea about a perfect wedding in winter wonderland.

Cold months weddings in New York City are not as popular as summer or fall ones but Diana at Diana LaMer Events wanted to challenge that stereotype with breathtaking designs and magazine-quality photographs.

A winter wonderland “Walk Through The Woods” styled wedding shoot matched Intercontinental New York Barclay ballroom’s decor perfectly: the grey and blue-ish motifs got our team’s creative juices flowing.

After a million of back-and-forth texts, emails, and Instagram messages, Diana came up with a mood board that was uniquely fresh and exciting. The under-saturated look and cool white balance were the things that I was, literally, shooting for. Most of it was post-production but I am a Photoshop ninja so the challenge was accepted!

And all the hard work paid off. We received a full-page editorial feature in Sophisticated Weddings magazine’s 2019 Volume II!

Huge thanks to all the wonderful event professionals, who contributed their talent and time to create and capture the magic!

Planning: @diana_la_mere_events | Photography: @artvestastudio | Stationery: @cecinewyork | Cake: @cakes_by_nicolle | Rentals: @partyrentalltd | Jewelry: @david_bader_ny_diamonds | Florals: @floraliesevents | MUA: @shesaidyesbeauty | Venue: @interconbarclay | Bridal gown: @kleinfeldbridal | Groom’s tux: @theblacktux | Bridal gown: @reemacrawedding | Bridal gown: @carolinaherrera  | Linens: @nuagedesignsinc

THE GALLERY

Damien and Leilani ~ The Marmara Park Avenue, Midtown Loft & Terrace

Capturing couples’ happiest moments makes me happy. Every moment has its own beauty and this wedding of a New Yorker, Damien, and a native Alaskan, Leilani, was truly unique and magical. The day tastefully incorporated elements of both cultures, celebrating the beautiful blend of traditions.

For the union of Damien and Leilani, both parties got ready for their big day at the Marmara Hotel in New York City.  The Marmara is one of the best known luxury hotel chains in Turkey. Its NYC branch is located on East 32nd Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. A spacious terrace of the hotel, which shows the gorgeous backdrop of the Chrysler Building, was the perfect place to start the day. Though it was marginally cold out, the couple braved the chill to take their photos on the outside terrace of one of the hotel’s suites.

The harmony of the happy couple matched the synchronicity of their chosen accessories. Both the groom’s boutonniere and the bride’s bouquet matched in rich color and paid homage to bride’s home state of Alaska. The groom’s boutonniere had a cute addition of a Ruffed Grouse’s feather, the most predominant bird in Alaska. The bride’s bouquet incorporated a strip of fur wrapped around the flowers. Both unique additions alluded to hunting, which is a significant part of the Alaskan culture.

From the hotel, both parties moved on to the Midtown Loft & Terrace at 267 5th Avenue where they held an outdoor ceremony incorporating some Jewish and native Alaskan traditions important to the bride and groom such as breaking a coconut by Leilani’s dad and breaking the glass by Damien. It was a beautiful ceremony taking place under an arch covered in burgundy and golden flowers. Those warm and welcoming tones were carried through to the reception, along with rich turquoise, to create an intimate and elegant reception atmosphere.

It was a fun and lively party, especially with the addition of the lifting of the chairs, another Jewish tradition. It was also an emotional evening at times with some touching moments such as parents’ dances and speeches by members of both sides of the family. The night ended with an available-light photo of a romantic kiss between a newly wed husband and wife, with the background of a lit up Empire State Building.

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The Marmara Park Ave, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

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Amber & David ~ JW Marriott Essex House NYC

JW Marriott Essex House is a truly quintessential location for a perfect Manhattan wedding. This luxury iconic NYC hotel set in an art deco building is located just steps away from Central Park and Columbus Circle. Choosing the perfect venue for their wedding, the couple did many site visits and almost chose a venue in Long Island but then realized they ultimately and truly wanted a Manhattan wedding. The decor on the walls looked like a dream when they first walked in. It was a dream that came true!

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Amber and David’s, my picture-perfect couple, met online. Here is their love story.

How and where did you and David meet?

We met on OKcupid. Our first date was on Valentine’s Day.

For how long have you been dating?

We have been dating for three years before we got engaged.

How and where did he propose?

The proposal was so wonderful! He surprised me by taking me to dinner and then he proposed near riverside park by the water. Then he took me straight to his rooftop for a party and surprised me with all my friends and family.

What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning? 

I envisioned my wedding to be opulent, elegant and sophisticated with a touch or romance. I wanted the style to match the look of the magnificent chandelier in the exquisite ballroom. A Star studded event with endless dancing!

What was your color palette and your style vision? 

My color palette was soft pinks and whites to go along with the stunning gold ballroom.

What unique elements or DIY details did you include? 

We had a sculptural manzanita branches display with pale pink dendrobium orchids in a draping style hung with bubble glass candle holders above the seating arrangements. Something very special to me was that my 15 year old poodle (I got her for my Bat-mitzvah) was able to be in my bridal suite getting ready with the girls and taking photos with us. She wore the most adorable dress in silver to match my bridesmaids’ Alfred Sung gowns. We also had the presidential suite in the hotel with a wrap around balcony, I had a huge after party outdoors!

What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail? 

When I sang “Dear Future Husband” by Meghan Trainor on stage in front of everyone and then jumped into the arms of my new husband standing in the crowd. That was by far my favorite moment. Everyone was in shock and I felt like a total rock star! One crafted detail that pops in my mind was during my parents welcome speech my Mother displayed a large picture frame with a photo of me sky diving 15,000 ft high to show how proud she was of me.

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Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc. 

My bouquet was GORGEOUS. Cascading white phaleonopsis orchids. It is in the process of being preserved. The chuppah was filled with white, ivory and pale pink peonies and roses. The aisle hurricanes were gorgeous too, to match the chuppah. 

My gown was designed by Romona Keveza. It had the sophistication of Grace Kelly. It was form fitting with soft ruching. Mermaid style, off the shoulder with a pearl coloring. My favorite part was the sequined lace at the bottom edges setting it apart from any other gown in similar style. My cake was stunning. L’esti’s specializes in cakes and hand painted a 5 tier white and gold cake with pearls and flowers on the top to match the room. My first look was so romantic. We had a red velvet horse and buggy pick me up to do a photo shoot. 

One of my favorite details was hiring our Cantor- Shimon Craimer to sing popular tunes in Hebrew as we walked down the aisle. His voice was hauntingly beautiful and romantic. The crowd was captivated by his talented singing and the unique traditional aspects our Rabbi Exler helped us create during our ceremony from start to finish. Even my Bedeken before I walked down the aisle was so special to me.

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What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?

Always make sure that you have more than one person come to your last fitting so that multiple people know how to bustle your gown. But most importantly, try not to let ANYTHING bother you that day. Brush it off.

Slideshow ~ Amber & David’s Wedding at JW Marriott Essex House NYC

Dress- Romona Keveza (from Bridal Reflections)
Shoes- Valentino
Venue- Essex House
Photographer-  Artvesta Studio
Florist- Quatre Coeur
DJ (band)- Veronica Martell
Caterer – Northern Valley Affairs
Videographer- Sunnyville Films
Invitations-  Invitations Plus (Crane & Co.)
Cake- L’esti’s Desserts
Lighting- Luminescence
Rabbi- Rabbi Steven Exler
Cantor- Shimon Craimer
Photo Booth- The Bosco
Hair & Makeup Team- Betsy Elisa Inc.
Sweetheart Table Linen- FloraRosa Design
Dance Lessons- Fred Astaire


Catherine and David. Carlton hotel, St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University, and Midtown Loft & Terrace

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” —Franklin P. Jones

Carlton hotel, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

Life is such a wild, unpredictable adventure. No matter how much we plan, it has this way of surprising us—sometimes with bumps in the road, but often with the most beautiful, unexpected moments. One of those moments? Meeting the person you’re meant to spend your life with. At first, you don’t know it’s them. It just feels like another ordinary day. But before you know it, they become the center of your story.

Some of the most incredible moments in life are your college years and the joy of newlywed bliss. When those two worlds come together, it’s pure magic. That’s exactly what happened for Catherine and David. Catherine, a Belgian bride, and David, her Greek-American groom, first met at Columbia University as grad students. On that first day, there was no sign they’d one day walk down the aisle together. But life had other plans, and here they are—starting their next “first day” as husband and wife.

For their wedding, Catherine and David’s immediate family stayed at the elegant Carlton Hotel, where I began capturing their special day. My first shots focused on their gorgeous details—the accessories they would wear as they got ready to say “I do.”

One of my favorite moments from the morning was when David and his groomsmen gathered for a fun, quirky shot in the hotel’s Broadway Dive suite. It perfectly captured their energy and excitement, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable day.

Catherine and David’s love story is such a beautiful reminder that life’s most incredible surprises come when you least expect them. And when they do, they have a way of turning life’s ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

Carlton hotel, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

The styles selected by the bride helped set the stage for the design of the festivities. The bride brought a lovely custom-made wedding dress from Belgium and went even more multi-cultural with her shoes, which were purchased in Paris, France. One of the more unforgettable accessories worn by the groomsmen were their colored socks, which coordinated to match the colors of their wives’ dresses.

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With a warm and sunny wedding day greeting all guests in attendance, the weather helped reflect the mood of utter happiness and love, allowing for many smiles to exchange and spread the good cheer. The wedding ceremony itself took place at St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University. This beautiful chapel acts as a venue for hundreds of religious and campus events each year. Performed according to Greek tradition, during the wedding ceremony the couple exchanged Stephana crowns, to important cultural symbols that each had been handed down for generations.

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Carlton hotel, Midtown Loft & Terrace Wedding

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Photography: ArtVesta Studio | Wedding planning & day-of coordination: Allie Levine Events | Getting ready: Carlton hotel | Ceremony: St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University | Reception: Midtown Loft & Terrace | Reverent: Mary-Rose Engle