Is it possible to be TOO prepared when shooting a wedding?

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No.

Well, that was a short issue! I supposed I should elaborate a bit on WHY you can't be too prepared. I'll give you three good reasons.

1. It's not over until it's over. This is the same mentality when shooting baseball, football, or any sporting event. Until the buzzer sounds, the third out is made or the clock runs out, the game is still on (and sometimes even after the game is over).

Let’s define our terms.

The “game” is the wedding day. If you're shooting a wedding and the bride and groom are still there, the game is still on.

Now quick caveat if you've negotiated a set amount of time and your time is up for the night.

BUT, until the bride and groom or the family has thanked you and KNOW you're leaving the wedding, the wedding is still on.

They might want you to stay the rest of the night, they might another hour for some group photos, or they might want something else. Don’t fret, this means they want to give you more money.

It’s your job to be prepared for this. Don’t be too hot to head out.

Being prepared means being ready for something to happen. When you're shooting a wedding, EXPECT someone to ask for something more...even at the moment you're ready to clock out.

2. Bad things happen to good people. I found this out a few times, unfortunately (and I do consider myself a good person). This is the A-#1, Most Important, Super-Special Reason I give for having backup gear. It's a tool and sometimes your tool breaks.

I've yet to meet a bride I could walk up to and say, "Sooo, bad news, my camera broke. I'm sure this would've been fun, but I gotta go now. Thanks!" without expecting some pushback.

Nope, you gotta be prepared for the worst and sometimes the worst is your tools break. Wipe the tear from your eye, grab your back up and keep going.

Having backup gear may seem obvious but especially when you’re starting out, this is a valuable sales benefit to a bride on a budget.

I’ve heard more than a couple of stories about photographers who didn’t have enough backup gear and had to scramble. Don’t be that person. Be prepared and act like the professional you are.

3. “Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.” – Wayne Gretzky - Very much like sports, you need to anticipate what going to happen next. The way you do this to have your camera pointed in that direction. I'll give you a great example.

It's the first dance and you have a pretty good idea the groom is going to perform a world-class dip at the end of the song. How do you know? Because you were being prepared and asked the groom if he was planning anything special for the first dance (it's quite the thing for TikTubigram if you’ve been away for a decade or so).

He said he’s been practicing this epic dip with his bride-to-be and tonight’s the big reveal. OK, now you've got a couple of nuggets to work with. There might be a dip and it might crash and burn. Both are important for sure.

It's time for the dance. The song is playing and nearing the end. How do you know? Because you've heard it before (you prepared and didn't even know it!) OR You don't know the song and you ask the DJ how long it is (also a good way to be prepared).

Here comes the big moment...but something isn't right.

Your keen sense of timing (like a Spideysense, only for wedding photographers) can sense the pace of your newlyweds’ turning on the dance floor does not sync the the end of the song.

If the song ended from where you are currently standing, you'll be out of position to capture the big moment. (Hint: no one wants to see the dip from behind).

If you've been simply "following the puck," you'll be in the wrong position and you'll miss the moment the couple has been preparing for for weeks.

So you do what a prepared photographer would do - You position yourself to be in the perfect position getting a front-row view of the big dip and you nailing the shot like a seasoned pro.

That's what preparing is all about.

But wait, there's more!

As a bonus preparation tip, try this.

Do a quick search and find out what's in the Bridal Survival Pack or Bridal Emergency Kit and add the most essential pieces to your camera bag.

"What?!!! keep a sewing kit in my camera bag?"

Yuuup! because when a seam pops or something gets torn and YOU are the only one with the supplies to fix it, all of a sudden, YOU look like a genius...because you are...a prepared genius!

Here's a quick list of some essential items you can have in your bag without taking up hardly any space at all.

• Crochet hook - For lacing up the button hooks on dresses

• Heel pads - Some ladies don't where heels often and get blisters

• Band-aids - For you or them

• Sewing kit - Next time you're at a hotel, ask for one and pop it into your bag

• Quarter and penny - For tightening or loosening screws

• Bobby pins and Safety Pins

• Double-sided tape for skin - Also known as “boob tape”

• Small scissors - I use a small Leatherman multi-tool with a knife too

• Tide or Shout wipes - The to-go versions are perfect

All of this will fit nicely into one of the small flat pockets in your camera case. You won't even know they're there...until you hear that call, "Does anyone have some scissors?" And guess who will be the prepared one? (Hint: they’ll be the one that looks exactly like you)

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