How to Photograph a First Look with No Shade | Real Wedding Day Behind the Scenes

KJ ALL ACCESS MEMBERSHIP | geni.us/yt-all-access
KJ FREEBIE DOWNLOADS | geni.us/kj-freebies
Check out our 4 FREE webinars! These free classes would be a great starting point for you and to help gauge whether or not you are ready for our courses!
Lighting Training (FREE) | geni.us/kj-class-lighting
Editing Training (FREE) | geni.us/kj-class-editing
Posing Training (FREE) | geni.us/kj-class-posing
WEBSITE | geni.us/katelyn-james
BLOG | geni.us/katelyn-james-blog
INSTAGRAM | geni.us/katelyn-james-insta
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS | geni.us/kj-education
When we find a product or company we love, we love to share it with you! At times we may include affiliate links which means that we may earn a commission if/when you click on or make purchases via those links!

[@MichelleDiamondPhoto]

oh WOW... the TONE change with the bride once she came out, loved that!! Starts whispering "you need to just enjoy this" - so great!!! If I was the bride I would feel like your were 1000% in control of the moment and light.

[@dawnestes5755]

As usual, awesome video. I actually purchased your KJ all access and this was the first video in your lesson for me! Speaking to your youtubers - you will not be disappointed in purchasing her educational videos. They are incredible! You learn lighting, posing, conversation, lenses, settings and more. She is the best!

[@KatelynJames]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@LiztheBRAVE]

I love this light!!! Its high but workable when you have gravel/concrete!!! Beautiful work

[@KatelynJames]

Yes! Thank you!

[@AshlynWrites]

Love watching you teach, Katelyn. :) (and that Tudor home gahhhhhh!)

[@KatelynJames]

Thank you sweet friend!

[@AshlynWrites]

@@KatelynJames You're so welcome! xx.

[@amandamckevitt7890]

I think these turned out beautiful even with the harsher light!!!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much!

[@katedowns9952]

I'm looking forward to joining KJ All Access VERY SOON! I have a friend who took your courses and is now a very successful wedding photographer. Her style is so much like yours which I LOVE!❤️ I've shot a few weddings for friends and I have so much to learn! I'm so excited to get started!

[@KatelynJames]

We are excited to have you join us! Let us know if you have any questions!

[@rachellee2995]

Katelyn, thank you for sharing. You have no idea how helpful you are! Thank you so much:)

[@KatelynJames]

I am glad you enjoyed it

[@nurseveronica]

Thank-you Katelyn! I love these inside peaks into really tough scenarios and even though I'm a pet photographer, your techniques with lighting really improve my shots!! I also love seeing the camera settings.

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it is helpful!

[@wcsdiaries]

@@KatelynJames Did yuo have 2 cameras on you? How did you switch between 50mm and 70-200 so fast during the first look?

[@alexvargas1772]

I really enjoyed this video! Thanks for sharing. We miss you guys a lot!!!

[@KatelynJames]

Hey friend! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fotografieaugenwerk]

Hello Katelyn, thanks for the video :-)

[@KatelynJames]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robsgirl7778]

Yes!!! Groom and groomsmen portraits at high noon

[@KatelynJames]

So hard!

[@40JoCharles]

Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@KatelynJames]

My pleasure!

[@robsgirl7778]

I love seeing how well you interact with the videographers!!! I've had some good experiences with videographers and I've had some nightmares. I would love a video about how you work with and around videographers. I understand the importance of videography, and the bride hired both so I want the video to turn out great but still need to get my shots

[@KatelynJames]

I totally agree! Tyler and I should make that video!

[@katyliu22]

Love this, just wondering if it's worth it for family photographer to join the course?

[@quinlangray5252]

Hi Katelyn, thanks for the video. What metering setting do you use?

[@KatelynJames]

Spot metering!

[@carmencarmensita5422]

That is such a low f stop. I feel like only 1 part of a face should be in focus. I will shoot my first wedding this weekend and I am terrified of group pictures and couples being sharp and in focus. Ty for this tut.

[@SlickSticks989]

Hi !! Great video !! I'm learning and wanting to ask... Do you generally shoot at 50mm with a low fstop?

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@emilygrace1960]

Was your bride crying before she even got out there? Was she nervous about the photography part? Or what? You sure have a great calm and assuring voice in these moments. Wow.

[@KatelynJames]

She was just so excited to see her groom! :) I don't think she was nervous at all about the photography part, they were both very comfortable and natural with us!

[@elenamitchell6556]

Thank you for sharing. What camera shooting mode are you using?

[@KatelynJames]

I shoot in one-shot mode, standard color!

[@elenamitchell6556]

@@KatelynJames Thanks Katelyn, I guess I meant to ask, do you shoot in Aperture priority, Shutter priority or manual? I was watching your settings change and wonder which mode you're in. Thanks so much.

[@KatelynJames]

@@elenamitchell6556 I shoot in Manual!!

[@elenamitchell6556]

@@KatelynJames Thanks a bunch!

[@emilygrace1960]

Katelyn - I'm so sorry... I will totally take on your All Access the minute I can afford it, but I just can't at the moment and I have a few questions: 1. When you are shooting this type of situation, do you take a certain angle and / or types of photos? And have someone else shoot something different? (Do you both shoot close ups and wide angles, or does one of you focus on one and the other on another? Do you both just shoot the scene how you see it or does one of you focus on the bride the whole time and the other focuses on the groom the whole time...? How do you divvy up who shoots what?

[@KatelynJames]

We look forward to having you join us when the time is right!:) My husband/second shooter is getting different angles throughout the first look as well! He is typically farther away. We decide beforehand who will be shooting from which angle to ensure we are capturing reactions from both the bride and the groom!

[@patrickhin4301]

Why were you using f2.8 on harsh light.

[@KatelynJames]

I want to soften the light with some more shallow depth of field but also have moving subjects to not lose focus on!

[@patrickhin4301]

@@KatelynJames Thank you , interesting.

[@stefano_campani]

someone invented flashes... ;)

[@KatelynJames]

haha good one!!