Wedding Photos

Updated October 2026

It happens to everyone who buys a nice camera. A friend sees your photos and asks, "Would you shoot our wedding?"

Think hard before you say yes. A wedding can't be redone, and the day goes very differently when you're working it instead of attending. A professional will probably get better photos. You'll get to enjoy the day. And if something goes wrong, the friendship isn't on the line. Chipping in toward a pro can be a great wedding gift.

If you're doing it anyway

Bring a camera you know well and a backup body. Pack an external flash with a diffuser or bounce card, plus far more batteries and memory cards than seems reasonable. Dual card slots are worth having.

Sit down with the couple ahead of time and write a shot list. Family groupings, the rings, the first kiss, the first dance and the cake are the usual ones. Visit the venue at the same time of day as the ceremony, and ask the officiant what's allowed during the service.

Shoot RAW (or RAW plus JPEG) so you can fix mixed lighting later. Indoors, bounce your flash off the ceiling instead of aiming it at people. That night, copy the cards to two different places before you go to bed.

As a guest

If the couple asks for an unplugged ceremony, put the phone away. Otherwise, stay out of the aisle and out of the hired photographer's way. Guest photos are best at candids of friends and family, which the pro often misses.