Wedding Photography How To

(Editor’s Note: Exploring Light is a monthly Shutterbug column featuring tips, tricks, and photo advice from professional photographers in the Canon Explorers of Light and Canon Legends education program. This month's column is by Denis Reggie with tips on how to successfully capture weddings like a news event.

Capturing great portraits requires more than an attractive model, proper shooting techniques, and a nice location. That’s because all could be for naught unless you are adept at posing the subject.

Chicago-based photographer and filmmaker Eric Flobeg has been shooting weddings for seven years and he’s learned a lot along the way. In the below video, Floberg shares some of his own tips and strategies for how to get started as a wedding photographer, along with tips and strategies he’s picked up from his colleagues in the wedding photography business.

If you think you’ve run out of ideas as a photographer, watch the below video from Light Club that presents one seemingly small but actually much bigger idea: shoot the dog.

Sure, the passionate kiss and the classic theater marquee in this shot by wedding photographer Jason Groupp are romantic but what’s the deal with Anthony Bourdain? The popular chef and host of CNN’s Parts Unknown seems like a cool guy and all but why photograph this couple smooching in this particular spot?

For our annual discussion on the business of wedding photography, I spoke to three wedding photographers who are finding success in doing what they love. One of the keys to their success is that their marketing ideas and tips illustrate top-of-mind awareness, which helps keep them foremost in their clients’ minds.

When it comes to great portrait and wedding photographers, California pro Bambi Cantrell is near the top of everyone’s list. In the tutorial below, she provides three powerful tips for making stunning photos of your own.