Traditional, esp here in Philippines. It takes 12 hrs or more for a full wedding coverage esp for Christian weddings and 6-8 hrs for Muslim weddings. :D
One concern I have is leaving the couple portraits for last. I prefer to place couple portraits first and as a priority. This is because, if for any reason the timeline gets squished due to any unforeseen circumstance, leaving couple portraits for last - then it is the couple portraits that will suffer from being rushed. I do the couple portraits immediately following the first look because they are already alone together and in some good feels. If the timing is squished because of an unexpected delay, at least these photos are captured and in the bag. The bottom line, though, is TIME. There must be enough time allotted to get the needed photos. I really appreciate your video.
The region I'm from we don't categorize how it works with first look or traditional. I've been a follower of yours and believe me I love your content. I like the way you share your ideas. You share it in a way that it becomes effortlessly contagious.
dude! you just changed my timeline the way I do photos on a normal day! Get the lads done when they're dressed up, do their shots, go to bride, do brides maid shots, and ceremony bam. where as normally I would do the family shots after ceremony, then bridal party, then couples portrait so hardly any time to enjoy really. So gonna change my ways after that.
Yeeees!! Timelines!!!!! Love a first look wedding! I feel like I have so much more time to take photos... or at least it's not so rushed. Also it's fun to see the bride and groom in that first intimate moment. So sweet! Also, rainy wedding days can be the biz! 👍🏼
Exactly! THere's so much extra time. So much more flexibility. Less stress for everyone and also if something runs late a little bit it's no big deal because we have so much free time.
Great video, John! I’ve solo shot a few weddings (hardly 200+) and the idea of shooting the groom’s party first never occurred to me. My problem with that is the groomsmen who show up late. I guess I’ll have to make the couple aware of that. Most of my weddings don’t involve a wedding planner, so I would appreciate a video on how/when to work with them.
I am team first look all the way, but it is hard to sell that idea to those wanting a traditional vibe. That happens a lot in the Midwest we are a bit slow on the new ideas. haha
Totally understand that. I've delt with that a lot after moving from NYC to NC. Most NC couples tend to do traditional days. There are some times that I strongly suggest first looks however. Like when I have couples who want to do a traditional day for a December wedding. The day is just TOO short for that.
I'm the opposite, i just hire a good lead and work as second. Take the artistic shots and anything the lead might have missed. Relax and enjoy the day shooting.
This was something I didn't even know the photographer setup until I started second shooting. I always assumed it was the couple or wedding planner that did it. It definitely makes it nice to have a nice flow to the day though
It's hands down the best thing to do. I remember when I finally started writing my own timelines and it changed EVERYTHING for me. Before then my wedding days were a little bit all over the place. Hands down no one will know better about how much time you'll need aside from you.
As a wedding photographer based in a tropical area of Puerto Vallarta I definitely prefer the traditional way, all because of the weather. At 3-4 pm it can be really hot here even in the shade and the sun is just too bright, so my couple would feel really uncomfortable. It’s much easier for everyone to take all the important group pictures and couple’s pictures after the ceremony during the golden hour.
Exactly! I just had a traditional wedding this past week. It’s always such a scary day! Wait ceremony is at 4:30, sunset is at WHAT TIME? 5:10!!😟 😱 thank god for primes!!
OH MY GOODNESS!! I hate those days where everything is stacked all on top of each other in the least amount of time and the planner and the couple think that's a good idea and I'm like "no....we need much more time"
I'm shooting my first wedding in May and your videos are a blessing! I love the 'shadow' videos where we get to see your work flow and why you do what you do. Question, what is the reasonable number of final photos that you deliver to your couple? For let's say a party of 50 people in the wedding? Thanks in advance!
I definitely like the first look day better! I sadly have a traditional day coming in February and I don’t know how it’s gonna work with the winter days being so short when it comes to natural light. Any tips?
I don't have any tips 😞 The best thing is to fit in as many of the photos as you can before the ceremony. So solos of the groom, the groom getting ready, the groomsmen. And then do the same combo of shots with the bride. That way when you're done with the cremony you can knock out family quickly and then get the portraits in as fast as possible. I have a Feb wedding as well. It'll be interesting.
It's always the best when the couple wants to do it. I never pressure my couples into it but in our meeting I always chat with them about the pros and cons of not doing a first look. The biggest PRO is the fact that you actually get to go to your cocktail hour.
@@jbivphotography I actually gave them the option, but I think they are going with Traditional 😥 thankfully it’s a small wedding. 🙏🏻 I appreciate your response. I am taking notes & can’t wait to apply them. Thank you sincerely Amanda @ramosaphotography 💙
@@jbivphotography hi John, I just found out they don’t want (any) Getting Ready or First Look & want strictly Candids. I am tiene as this is my first destination wedding. Any TIPS on how to get the Best Candids in this case. I was hoping to at least get her putting on the dress with her mom. 😔 I mentioned it was important to complete the gallery to have those details but they still said no.
Hai John , would request your suggession wether wedding photography is possible in camera which has only single SD Card Slot by using multiple SD cards , Also Request if you could do Vedio on this topic
@@jbivphotography Indeed. Also as a photographer, I take full control and help build the timeline accordingly to my needs, so we can have even better results. I hate wedding were no one knows what or when are things happening.
@@JaviyEve Exactly. It's the worst when there's no timeline or the planner makes the timeline for you but doesn't take into account the actual photographer.
Generally I stick the details section in with the getting ready time. Basically what I do is I try to be ahead of schedule and when I show up to either bride or groom I start with the details and take no longer than 10 minutes. Also, while I start the details I set expectations of what they should be getting ready to do so that once I’m done we can go ahead and start taking photos.
Hi John, love your videos they are super helpful. I was just wondering if you have had any couples that are hesitant about going for a photoshoot pre or post ceremony due to them not wanting to mess up their dress/ suit, let’s say at the beach or in the woods and how would you usually combat this.
Hi John! Do you have any advice or videos on how to shoot a wedding when it rains? I'm headed to Mexico to shoot a destination wedding and there will be tropical thunderstorms scattered throughout the trip and might hit their day. Thank you fam!
How much some should be set aside for a first look? We're doing our first look at a garden around 20 to 30 min away from the wedding venue, and 30 minutes away from where I'm getting ready (I'm the bride and I'm getting ready at my parent's house). Wedding starts at 6pm, but I cannot figure out for the life of me when to do it. I asked my friend (the photographer) when it should be, and he asked me when it would be 😵💫 Send help, my wedding is in 16 days
It depends what all you'll do during your first look. If you're going to do your first look together, portraits of you all together, as well as maybe immediate family or bridal party photos I would say allot for about 45 mins to an hour. Then give yourself wiggle room to get to the venue. If you're just going to do the first look between you and your spouse and then some portraits it can be more like 25-30 mins. I hope that helps out and congrats on your upcoming wedding!!
I have and Sony apsc camera so should I take should prime lens or which prime lens should I buy or should I buy tamron 17 to 70 mm f2.8 to cover a wedding
What''s up bro? I really like your channel and the way you describe everything a person should do to become a good marriage photographer. I have a question, how many wedding a photographer should do a month?
If you expect rain so that you’ll be shooting the family portraits indoors in the reception room ………… you don’t use off camera strobe with a large shoot through umbrella?
I do not. Generally I’ll just have an on camera flash and that does well enough for me. The biggest thing is I find the room best suited for what I’m shooting, make sure there’s little natural light. And then using bounce flash is usually enough.
In my country this is how we photograph weddings 7-9AM arrival for preparation and start shooting with the details, bride/bridesmate, groom/groomsmen until 11AM-12PM lunch and relax and then at 1, 2, or 3PM we go to the ceremony. After ceremony family pics and bridal party and then finally 15-20min of couple portraits. Finally the last 1 the reception at 5 or 6PM until 8 or maybe 9PM
Hi John - I have my first full wedding in February and really learing heaps from your channel. One question. Do you wait for the bride to leave her home with the father and grab those shots or are you heading to the ceremony to wait on her arriving there?
It really just depends on the layout of the day. If she's going to be seeing her father before the ceremony I do usually capture them first seeing each other. But not all couples put such an importance on that. So if they don't I head over to the ceremony area. It's really a case by case scenario that I chat with my couples about before the wedding.
I don't write timelines for my couples. I have my couples write them for me. I do this because A) I'm a photographer, not a wedding planner and B) I'm not looking to control or influence the day beyond giving suggestions for how good wedding days flow. I'm happy to give feedback on what's viable or may work better but it's their day.
Totally understand. I'm not "just writting" timelines for my couples. My timelines are always based off of a questionnaire I send them first so I know generally what's happening when. When hair and makeup starts, when the ceremony starts etc. The way I look at it I'm not "controlling" their day. I'm more so helping them since I'm the professional. Since I've done 200+ weddings I generally will know better than the couple what will work best for their day. That's the same thing a planner does when they create a timeline for them. So I think it's HIGHLY important not to just think of yourself as "a photographer" and more so as a professional who can communicate best practices to your couples so that they have the best experience. Rather than having them dictate the day not really knowing how weddings function since it's there first. Thank you for sharing your opinion as well!
@@jbivphotography Thanks John! That's a really good way to change my own thinking on it. I'm not as experienced as you so I value your opinion :) don't get me wrong about that
@@jbivphotography what's actually funny is no sooner than I checked my emails after this, did I have a client email me querying about timelines and how much time is needed where! Happy to stand corrected in my thinking. If it offers my couples better value and a better workflow on the day for me, I'm dumb not to do this
Are you team First Look or team Traditional??
team First Look is the BEST
Trad but not different houses 😅
Traditional, esp here in Philippines. It takes 12 hrs or more for a full wedding coverage esp for Christian weddings and 6-8 hrs for Muslim weddings. :D
First look sounds like the way to go
Team First Look 100%! My wedding tomorrow is a first look wedding, thanks for all your awesome content, you are truly a blessing!
One concern I have is leaving the couple portraits for last. I prefer to place couple portraits first and as a priority. This is because, if for any reason the timeline gets squished due to any unforeseen circumstance, leaving couple portraits for last - then it is the couple portraits that will suffer from being rushed. I do the couple portraits immediately following the first look because they are already alone together and in some good feels. If the timing is squished because of an unexpected delay, at least these photos are captured and in the bag. The bottom line, though, is TIME. There must be enough time allotted to get the needed photos. I really appreciate your video.
Good addition!
You don't know how many times I've explained this in consultations. Great video!
It's so true!! It's basically the main thing I talk about when meeting with couples.
The region I'm from we don't categorize how it works with first look or traditional. I've been a follower of yours and believe me I love your content. I like the way you share your ideas. You share it in a way that it becomes effortlessly contagious.
That's great to hear! I'm glad that my communication is comming across very clearly.
dude! you just changed my timeline the way I do photos on a normal day! Get the lads done when they're dressed up, do their shots, go to bride, do brides maid shots, and ceremony bam. where as normally I would do the family shots after ceremony, then bridal party, then couples portrait so hardly any time to enjoy really. So gonna change my ways after that.
This video is such a blessing, so helpful with creating a timeline for the photos with the traditional wedding! Thanks so much
I am suyog wedding photographer from India, i am regularly watch your videos and it's help ful for mi😊
Totally agree John. I always suggest to the wedding couple to do the non- traditional first look.
First Look is the best! Reduces the stress of photography, time schedule, and allows the photographer much more creativity.
Totally agree!
Yeeees!! Timelines!!!!! Love a first look wedding! I feel like I have so much more time to take photos... or at least it's not so rushed. Also it's fun to see the bride and groom in that first intimate moment. So sweet! Also, rainy wedding days can be the biz! 👍🏼
Exactly! THere's so much extra time. So much more flexibility. Less stress for everyone and also if something runs late a little bit it's no big deal because we have so much free time.
Great video, John! I’ve solo shot a few weddings (hardly 200+) and the idea of shooting the groom’s party first never occurred to me. My problem with that is the groomsmen who show up late. I guess I’ll have to make the couple aware of that. Most of my weddings don’t involve a wedding planner, so I would appreciate a video on how/when to work with them.
I am team first look all the way, but it is hard to sell that idea to those wanting a traditional vibe. That happens a lot in the Midwest we are a bit slow on the new ideas. haha
Totally understand that. I've delt with that a lot after moving from NYC to NC. Most NC couples tend to do traditional days. There are some times that I strongly suggest first looks however. Like when I have couples who want to do a traditional day for a December wedding. The day is just TOO short for that.
@@jbivphotography yep same thing happens here and I do my best to explain and they just aren’t having it. Haha
Patiently waiting for the full wedding behind the scenes. Much love from zambia
Yep. I have 2 currently fully recorded. Just gotta put everything together. So expect 2 this year.
Team First Look for sure.
👏👏👏
great video i am a wedding photographer and this gives me a idea where i am at and thats not that far from what your doing. thank you.
I'm the opposite, i just hire a good lead and work as second. Take the artistic shots and anything the lead might have missed. Relax and enjoy the day shooting.
You hire someone other than yourself to lead one of your own weddings?
This was something I didn't even know the photographer setup until I started second shooting. I always assumed it was the couple or wedding planner that did it. It definitely makes it nice to have a nice flow to the day though
It's hands down the best thing to do. I remember when I finally started writing my own timelines and it changed EVERYTHING for me. Before then my wedding days were a little bit all over the place. Hands down no one will know better about how much time you'll need aside from you.
Thanks for this. Shooting my first big wedding and this was very helpful.
you got it
As a wedding photographer based in a tropical area of Puerto Vallarta I definitely prefer the traditional way, all because of the weather. At 3-4 pm it can be really hot here even in the shade and the sun is just too bright, so my couple would feel really uncomfortable. It’s much easier for everyone to take all the important group pictures and couple’s pictures after the ceremony during the golden hour.
Exactly! I just had a traditional wedding this past week. It’s always such a scary day! Wait ceremony is at 4:30, sunset is at WHAT TIME? 5:10!!😟 😱 thank god for primes!!
OH MY GOODNESS!! I hate those days where everything is stacked all on top of each other in the least amount of time and the planner and the couple think that's a good idea and I'm like "no....we need much more time"
Good to see the scheduling you have for your weddings !
Happy to share!
Thanks John.
You’re welcome!
This has been the MOST helpful video I've seen! Thank you so much!!!
Glad it was helpful!
I'm shooting my first wedding in May and your videos are a blessing! I love the 'shadow' videos where we get to see your work flow and why you do what you do. Question, what is the reasonable number of final photos that you deliver to your couple? For let's say a party of 50 people in the wedding? Thanks in advance!
You may want somewhere around 200 to 300. To be sure. Not exactly spray and pray, but mostly candid, portraits and probably landscape shots
I've just found your channel and was just about to ask you this question, thank you for the video!
Awesome! I’m glad I could answer the question even before you had a chance to ask. That means I’m doing the right thing!
Team first look!!!!! I got it from you
YEEESSSSS
First looks all the way! Also first!
TEAM FIRST LOOK! There's so much more flexibility with those days.
This is good stuff. Keep the cool vids coming.
Thanks, will do!
For me, it depends on what the couple wants. That's the team I'm on lol.
lol totally. Team first look over here but I never pressure my couples into anything.
I definitely like the first look day better! I sadly have a traditional day coming in February and I don’t know how it’s gonna work with the winter days being so short when it comes to natural light. Any tips?
I don't have any tips 😞 The best thing is to fit in as many of the photos as you can before the ceremony. So solos of the groom, the groom getting ready, the groomsmen. And then do the same combo of shots with the bride. That way when you're done with the cremony you can knock out family quickly and then get the portraits in as fast as possible. I have a Feb wedding as well. It'll be interesting.
Your videos are so helpful John. Thank you.
Glad to hear that!
@@jbivphotography hey John. What business card company did you use.
Than you John. You are the best.
Thank you for hanging out on the channel. Glad you're enjoying the content.
thank you! this is great! I am hoping that my upcoming wedding couple agrees on First Look. 🙏🏻
It's always the best when the couple wants to do it. I never pressure my couples into it but in our meeting I always chat with them about the pros and cons of not doing a first look. The biggest PRO is the fact that you actually get to go to your cocktail hour.
@@jbivphotography I actually gave them the option, but I think they are going with Traditional 😥 thankfully it’s a small wedding. 🙏🏻 I appreciate your response. I am taking notes & can’t wait to apply them. Thank you sincerely Amanda @ramosaphotography 💙
@@jbivphotography hi John, I just found out they don’t want (any) Getting Ready or First Look & want strictly Candids. I am tiene as this is my first destination wedding. Any TIPS on how to get the Best Candids in this case. I was hoping to at least get her putting on the dress with her mom. 😔 I mentioned it was important to complete the gallery to have those details but they still said no.
Great stuff! First look weddings are fun. 📸
They really are. I'm all for first looks.
Hai John , would request your suggession wether wedding photography is possible in camera which has only single SD Card Slot by using multiple SD cards , Also Request if you could do Vedio on this topic
Excellent information and thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
First Look helps things to run smoothly. I think is something we need to do more often, specially if we can add a twist or a theme to it….
Agreed. I actually had a couple who got ready together and honestly it was the coolest thing I've been a part of.
@@jbivphotography Indeed. Also as a photographer, I take full control and help build the timeline accordingly to my needs, so we can have even better results. I hate wedding were no one knows what or when are things happening.
@@JaviyEve Exactly. It's the worst when there's no timeline or the planner makes the timeline for you but doesn't take into account the actual photographer.
@@jbivphotography So true... #weddingprofessionalsstories lol
THANKYOU...
You're welcome! I hope this was super helpful.
Is there a slot when you do the detail shots? Or the detail stuff is within the bride and groom's time? Like rings, watches, flowers..
Generally I stick the details section in with the getting ready time. Basically what I do is I try to be ahead of schedule and when I show up to either bride or groom I start with the details and take no longer than 10 minutes. Also, while I start the details I set expectations of what they should be getting ready to do so that once I’m done we can go ahead and start taking photos.
Hi John, love your videos they are super helpful. I was just wondering if you have had any couples that are hesitant about going for a photoshoot pre or post ceremony due to them not wanting to mess up their dress/ suit, let’s say at the beach or in the woods and how would you usually combat this.
So Informative Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent info!!!
Thanks for watching!
Hi John! Do you have any advice or videos on how to shoot a wedding when it rains? I'm headed to Mexico to shoot a destination wedding and there will be tropical thunderstorms scattered throughout the trip and might hit their day. Thank you fam!
How much some should be set aside for a first look? We're doing our first look at a garden around 20 to 30 min away from the wedding venue, and 30 minutes away from where I'm getting ready (I'm the bride and I'm getting ready at my parent's house). Wedding starts at 6pm, but I cannot figure out for the life of me when to do it. I asked my friend (the photographer) when it should be, and he asked me when it would be 😵💫
Send help, my wedding is in 16 days
It depends what all you'll do during your first look. If you're going to do your first look together, portraits of you all together, as well as maybe immediate family or bridal party photos I would say allot for about 45 mins to an hour. Then give yourself wiggle room to get to the venue.
If you're just going to do the first look between you and your spouse and then some portraits it can be more like 25-30 mins. I hope that helps out and congrats on your upcoming wedding!!
I have and Sony apsc camera so should I take should prime lens or which prime lens should I buy or should I buy tamron 17 to 70 mm f2.8 to cover a wedding
Where are you
I'm in NC. But travel for a bunch of my weddings. Mainly here in the US.
And then, you get that one event where one or more persons or everyone, is late.
LOL.
Yep.....that's also another advantage of a first look day. Because if they were late at least you allotted extra time.
What''s up bro? I really like your channel and the way you describe everything a person should do to become a good marriage photographer. I have a question, how many wedding a photographer should do a month?
If you expect rain so that you’ll be shooting the family portraits indoors in the reception room ………… you don’t use off camera strobe with a large shoot through umbrella?
I do not. Generally I’ll just have an on camera flash and that does well enough for me. The biggest thing is I find the room best suited for what I’m shooting, make sure there’s little natural light. And then using bounce flash is usually enough.
In my country this is how we photograph weddings
7-9AM arrival for preparation and start shooting with the details, bride/bridesmate, groom/groomsmen until 11AM-12PM lunch and relax and then at 1, 2, or 3PM we go to the ceremony. After ceremony family pics and bridal party and then finally 15-20min of couple portraits. Finally the last 1 the reception at 5 or 6PM until 8 or maybe 9PM
This sounds basically like what I would call a "traditional" day. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent information! I only photograph weddings occasionally and this is great planning information. Thank you a thousand times!! 💛
Glad it was helpful!
Hi John - I have my first full wedding in February and really learing heaps from your channel. One question. Do you wait for the bride to leave her home with the father and grab those shots or are you heading to the ceremony to wait on her arriving there?
It really just depends on the layout of the day. If she's going to be seeing her father before the ceremony I do usually capture them first seeing each other. But not all couples put such an importance on that. So if they don't I head over to the ceremony area. It's really a case by case scenario that I chat with my couples about before the wedding.
I don't write timelines for my couples. I have my couples write them for me.
I do this because
A) I'm a photographer, not a wedding planner and
B) I'm not looking to control or influence the day beyond giving suggestions for how good wedding days flow. I'm happy to give feedback on what's viable or may work better but it's their day.
Totally understand. I'm not "just writting" timelines for my couples. My timelines are always based off of a questionnaire I send them first so I know generally what's happening when. When hair and makeup starts, when the ceremony starts etc. The way I look at it I'm not "controlling" their day. I'm more so helping them since I'm the professional. Since I've done 200+ weddings I generally will know better than the couple what will work best for their day. That's the same thing a planner does when they create a timeline for them. So I think it's HIGHLY important not to just think of yourself as "a photographer" and more so as a professional who can communicate best practices to your couples so that they have the best experience. Rather than having them dictate the day not really knowing how weddings function since it's there first.
Thank you for sharing your opinion as well!
@@jbivphotography Thanks John! That's a really good way to change my own thinking on it. I'm not as experienced as you so I value your opinion :) don't get me wrong about that
@@jbivphotography what's actually funny is no sooner than I checked my emails after this, did I have a client email me querying about timelines and how much time is needed where! Happy to stand corrected in my thinking. If it offers my couples better value and a better workflow on the day for me, I'm dumb not to do this