How to Photograph a Wedding Ceremony (FULL Breakdown)

In this episode of Wedding Day 101 we're breaking down how to approach the ceremony! If you're a brand new photographer, this episode is exactly what you need before photographing your first wedding!
Make sure to check out the rest of the Wedding Day 101 series playlist: • Wedding Day 101
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00:00 Intro
00:37 Processional Breakdown
04:25 Main Ceremony Breakdown
16:06 Recessional Breakdown

[@izzbizz3378]

I’m shootings my first official wedding in….4 hours 😂 so this was very helpful! Quick sub ✅

[@KatelynJames]

Love it! Let us know how it went!

[@Play4YourLi4e]

Same hahaha

[@izzbizz3378]

@@KatelynJames it was amazing! A lot of hard work being a solo shooter but believe me, your video helped me with my placement during key moments and the way you had it drawn out made it very easy to digest. Thank you again!😊

[@initiumphotography]

Been there 😅

[@Rakesh11503]

When shooting in harsh light, what metering mode are you using?

[@jesslynmccartney2527]

I’m obsessed with how this was set up like a sports play - this is the most athletic I’ve ever felt 😹 I love your approach!

[@jesslynmccartney2527]

Also when you said “raise your prices” I laughed out loud, yes ma’am!!! ❤️

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@IMGDirect]

Nobody is doing what you’re doing on KZbin. One of the best photography channels on KZbin hands down.

[@KatelynJames]

Wow thanks so much!!

[@jules9669]

I can't thank you enough! I have autism and this is my first wedding ceremony I'm shooting for my photography business tomorrow. Thank you for helping give me confidence about where I need to be and when!!❤

[@juditvitan7327]

As a photographer myself, I LOVE learning from other photographers and continue expanding & growing to become a better photographer no matter how much I already know. There is always more to know & learn that helps us tweak some areas to be the best of the best. Being creative too comes at its finest - once you get the hang of it which is a great skill to have. I appreciate you sharing this insightful information. THANK YOU

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much!! That means a lot!!

[@VXEO]

You have literally just saved my life!! I have a wedding shoot this morning and I’ve been going out of my mind thinking I should stand right at the front… your layout is perfect and makes sense. Thank you so so much!! 😅

[@k1nser]

I'm shooting my first wedding tomorrow and was searching for last minute tips because of nerves. I've already prepped for it- extra batteries, second camera, etc. but I was still iffy on where to be during different parts of the ceremony. Your explanation of these diagrams helped me so much!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@juangiraud6013]

The more you do - the more you learn. Including where to stand because each of your weddings comes with their own story lines. What ever we plan to execute never takes place so you learn to go with the flow and be at 38 places at one time. Wedding days are my longest days. So even when hired to do 8hrs of coverage - for me it's a 12-15hr day concentrated on the wedding day. No one ever beats me to the church nor the reception. - Giraud

[@justinemarie6109]

Watched this whole video even though I’ve been shooting for 11 years🤣 I’ll watch anything Katelyn puts out #alwaysgold

[@KatelynJames]

SO sweet Justine!!

[@Thekaitlynmcdole]

Shooting my first wedding tomorrow and I needed this!

[@taylorhusband9052]

Shooting my first wedding this Saturday and I am an anxious mess. You are helping me SO much. THANK YOU!!!

[@TheRealAdele]

You are a gem!!! I'm still a new-ish wedding photographer and I'm so happy to have found your channel. You've taught me almost everything I know since I jumped so quickly into the industry. Such a lifesaver, thanks Katelyn!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@thepeytonshow4403]

My first wedding is in a few days and this was so informative and clutch ! Thanks so much for this ! your channel is God sent for me right now.

[@KatelynJames]

You are so welcome!

[@ashleykayy08]

T minus 13 days until I shoot my first wedding... Even though it's for friends, I've been SO NERVOUS! Your videos have been a BIG help in calming my nerves! thank you so much!!

[@garasefora8043]

Most helpful video I have seen about photography. It’s like simple coaching. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@jewel9246]

This was incredibly helpful, thank you! I'm doing my first wedding a week and a half!

[@das2003]

Too many photographers these days walk in front of the guests to get from the Bride's side to the Groom's side and they don't care. Worse is when there is available space behind the alter, or the centre piece, Photographers move behind and capture the bride and groom. The entire purpose of wedding photography and videography is to remain unobtrusive while getting your shots. This video perfectly outlines how to correctly shoot a ceremony unobtrusively. Think of it like a stage, you would never walk up on to the stage while the performers are performing, so why do it at a wedding? This video is excellent.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@jessicamedaris2593]

Super helpful. I’m photographing my first solo wedding this weekend and KJ All Access has been such a lifesaver!

[@KatelynJames]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@DanielMaquiling]

this is a good no nonsense video, earned a sub, first wedding shoot in 2 days

[@DallasandSarah]

This is incredibly helpful. I do my first real wedding tomorrow

[@MichelleRenee-ui5th]

Thank you so much for this!! I was just asked to do my first professional shoot at a wedding. Talk about feeling pressure! 😱 BUT I am really excited! This video helped so much!

[@missaraebiaphotography]

Watching this video has shown me, I was doing everything wrong lol. I was doing too much moving 😂😂😂.

[@coryducey2650]

I recall my wedding and everything you mentioned was done minus the 2nd shooter. I was asked to do a friend's wedding. 3xcited

[@mikewoodside2223]

I literally shot my very first wedding today and I’m so bummed I didn’t see this until now. 😫 luckily it was my friends wedding and I didn’t do too bad but still I wish I saw this. Definitely gonna be watching the videos of how you photograph weddings.

[@sierrarichter6797]

not me last minute studying for a wedding tomorrow! first one solo! thanks for this. i will take many of your tips!

[@melodyphillips2388]

I shot a wedding today, and used notes to make sure I got everything as laid out in this video! I bet I muttered my way thru where to go and when a dozen times, and even walked thru it in the sanctuary before too many guests had arrived! It all went very smoothly, getting the shots for this ceremony. Thanks for what I consider assistance!!❤️❤️❤️

[@angiemyhre.photography]

This is probably the most helpful video you’d done 🎉👏👏

[@bryanranagan2177]

Shooting my first official wedding in 2 hours, thank you! Lol

[@AStageForTheKingdom]

How did it go? What did you learn from the experience?

[@daviyuki4121]

Thank you so much for the Tips! Tomorrow I’m going to shoot a wedding for the first time, the video really helped me 🙌

[@ripthroughlol9714]

I picture you wrapping up making videos like this and sign off "bye" and Mike, doing his own thing somewere, hears that runs in and says "bye" real quick too! lol

[@KatelynJames]

Haha!! It may happen sometimes!!

[@ADG843VA]

Thank you for this video and the freebies! Blessings to you

[@jasonmalwitz8044]

Good video Katelyn. One of the best ceremony angles you did not mention is from the officiant’s perspective with the guests as the bg. Even a tight closeup of the ring exchange. Even the first kiss. Many of our couples love this shot. Just need to educate them beforehand. Especially in outdoor non church settings. A 35 works the best generally.

[@KatelynJames]

Yeah! It can be a hot button issue if the officiant doesn’t want you to be around them. But we have done this at a few outdoor ceremonies!

[@jasonmalwitz8044]

@@KatelynJames absolutely it can be. It’s important to let the officiant know before the ceremony begins that your couple wants those close up intimate shots that require us photographers to be very close at times. Church ceremonies however, are a different story.

[@bigrob1409]

This is one of the most helpful and insightful videos I’ve ever seen, getting prepped for my first wedding shoot in a month!

[@cocokorbel]

I’m obsessed with the 25-105 mm it has all the variables you’re talking about I go through the same thing without this lens it solves so many problems 😅

[@jasmck3261]

Yesterday I was asked to shoot at a wedding. It will be my first time... 😳 But thankfully I've stumbled on your video which I will no doubt watch a few times before. Thanks so much for helping us who have no clue ! 😂 I only have apsc so I will take that into consideration regarding the lens choices you make in this tutorial. Thanks again. 😊👍

[@Illusionary_INTJ]

Very helpful!

[@skydivejw]

Katelyn, this is so helpful. Thank you!!!

[@melanieboonstra5766]

This is soooo helpful! I am so thankful for this video

[@lindseygates3712]

love this

[@1215mymy]

💕Thank you!

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Super helpful!! Thanks!!!

[@martinpickard5818]

So glad that Tamron made the 35-150 f2 - f2.8 for Sony….makes life so much easier.Thank you for you channel.

[@philiportega4292]

love the video so on point Thank you

[@yannguerin3164]

That was amazing! Thank you

[@julianprods1]

This is amazing work!

[@junobugc]

i just got my very first digital camera (canon rebel t7) yesterday, and my family wants me to shoot their ceremony this week!! so intimidating but it's casual and for practice 😁

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidalan7]

very good!

[@deannadidthat4530]

Love this!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much!! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@ladd1000]

This is great information 👏

[@norgerichard]

This is very help full 👍

[@marcewing3514]

Brilliant!! Very concise and helpful! Thank you!

[@queerfoto]

Awesome video!!!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks!!

[@wscphotographyc.e.o.7677]

This was AMAZING

[@tallflamingo1373]

Wonderful video! Thank you so much!!

[@KeaniSoa]

This is really a great video! Learned a lot!! Also on the expectations as a second shooter. Thank you Katelyn!

[@oflightbeguile]

thank you so much! this was so helpful and I feel way for confident!

[@valdemarcaballero5298]

EXCELLENT, GREAT VIDEO!!! thanks for sharing!!!

[@IntothewestOkotoks]

Wow this is a great video, thank you for sharing! I’m usually a sport/wildlife photographer, but had a friend asking me to shoot a friends wedding (I gave them a speech of I know what I don’t know, and wedding photography is a whole other ball game lol)…I am a crop camera shooter, so I have that working against me, but I have the 70-200 2.8 III, and 135f2, and once I agreed to this I’ve got the 28-70F2 and 16-35f2.8 for rent. I’d rather use primes but not knowing, I guess I’d rather deal with noise then not having the range. Using an R7 and 80D (I have a friend that will mostly use the second camera)…so what you shared here confirmed my approach. Now just have to get thru it with hopefully a few good shots!! Again, thanks for the crash course - definitely appreciate the skill and experience to pull off successfully photographing a wedding!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@montisphotography]

You earned my subscription today. Thanks!

[@kierstingunnels7281]

Thank you !

[@rodolfoarmendarizhernandez8325]

This is awesome!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much!

[@thewildthornberrie3536]

Can’t wait to watch this !

[@KatelynJames]

We are excited to share it!

[@elizabethavila2966]

So glad I found your video! I had the brilliant idea to shoot my own wedding which is in 2 months. 😅 Now to find a trusted 2nd shooter to help me out 😃

[@jennasedgwick682]

Loved watching this! Thank you for breaking it down for solo photographers as well!

[@KatelynJames]

Totally!! Glad it was helpful!

[@mesther3191]

such a good teacher...i just subscribed

[@ravenwardlow2646]

I love your videos Katelyn!!!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much!!

[@hyunju225]

Thank you! It was very helpful :)

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it was helpful!

[@saminabarqoi582]

This was amazing! I'm curious to know about your preferred aperture/apertures throughout the ceremony though :)

[@meganseitz1003]

So helpful Katelyn!! Thank you so much!

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it was helpful Megan!!

[@unforgettablelensphotography]

Thank you.

[@letitiabruintjies3397]

thank you for sharing your experience

[@m1ch4Lko]

This is priceless! Thank you.

[@KatelynJames]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@juangiraud6013]

Great detailed instructions. I always coordinate meeting whom ever provides instructions - to how weddings are conducted inside a church ceremony. This is where you are told what your shooting limits are. Especially using flash. In all the weddings I've done - somewhere around 70% don't allow flash. And in some cases - no walking down the center Isle. Thanks Again Karly. - Giraud

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewra8563]

Katelyn, you're amazing! thank you for all these videos!

[@KatelynJames]

Glad you like them!

[@josediazh3890]

Muchas gracias

[@amberkaylonski923]

This was so amazingly helpful! I’ve been a wedding photographer for four years now and it’s great to have this even now! Thank you for making and sharing!! xx

[@rms4621]

Wow thanks for this! You are an awesome teacher thanks for sharing.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@lampv]

This was great.

[@KatelynJames]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MartinV.]

great video

[@KatelynJames]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ChristianTejada]

Thank you!!! Super useful - will be shooting a wedding this weekend!

[@lisakenney6094]

Thank you so much. This is the most helpful video.

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it was helpful!

[@treasuremediazw]

This is great - thanks for your time and effort sharing your experiences so we can get a head start!

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Giibbz]

First wedding on Saturday, this definitely helped to give me a few ideas of what I need to do! Thank you for the great video!

[@DebbieWatkins133]

I love your videos x

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@douglasmelo7212]

You as always have great videos that helps me a lot and makes my life easier ! Thanks a lot and keep up the great videos ;p

[@KatelynJames]

Happy to hear that!

[@MosesMind]

thank you this was very nice explanation

[@KatelynJames]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AStageForTheKingdom]

This is so helpful! Thank you! Photographing weddings reminds me so much of theatre. It's a bit stressful and chaotic, with high-stakes, highly problematic if you fail, and you only get one chance to get it right (per performance). It's important to know your role, to have your choreography down, to know exactly what to say and do for each part of the event so you can be cool and confident and hopefully not make any major mistakes. It's also important to be ready to improvise and to stay calm and roll with the punches.

[@mikaya89]

Love your educational content. Was wondering if you have ever considered using more exclusive language we teaching about wedding days?

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@melissaysitall7703]

This was amazing 🤩 I’ve never been main photographer so this was amazing!! Thank you & can’t wait to check out the free trials!

[@KatelynJames]

Love it! Let us know if you have any questions!!

[@Nelsonng6688]

Great job! I'm learning a lot from your video! Thanks👍😊

[@KatelynJames]

Awesome Nelson!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@modernmusicstudio303]

The diagrams are super helpful! Excellent video!

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@willordpeetey9936]

This is very educative✊

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@esteracz4763]

Wow. I am editing photos right now and wanted to learn a bit more.. and I think your video is the best ever!! It’s just so great prepared. Thanks and greetings from Poland 😊❤

[@jusbeme4me]

Love watching the video. Great information and what is the widest and fastest Lense to use as you mentioned, when the bride and groom are coming down the aisle?

[@BruiserFL]

Another great video, thanks. I've learned so much from your online courses and I highly recommend them.

[@KatelynJames]

Thanks so much!! That means a lot!!

[@yourmomentsAnders]

Shooting my first whole wedding tomorrow. This was Sooo helpful. Keep your fingers crossed that everything goes well.

[@organichealings]

Katelyn, thank you. Your explanation and voice gave me confidence. Other videos got me anxious. I appreciate your beginner and single shooter tips. God bless you.

[@JETFoto806]

Glad I found this. Shooting my first wedding next weekend solo. It's a small backyard wedding but this is all great info to have.

[@Julie-lw3it]

You’re just the best! I was recently trying to explain a lot of the key points you made to my second shooter and now I can just shoot this video her way ;) excited for the rest of this series!

[@KatelynJames]

Great to hear Julie!

[@annlosinski]

Love this and it definitely gives me some things to think about when I'm shooting. I generally do a lot of Catholic weddings and end up with a long lens most of the time because I'm terrified of getting too close to shoot with a 35 or 50 😬

[@ftinungki]

Thank you so much!!! Shooting my first wedding next month and really needed this!!

[@KatelynJames]

Glad it was helpful!