Wedding Photography Behind the Scenes | A Real First Look + Solo and Bride & Groom Portraits

Dedicated to helping you become a better wedding photographer!
Steve Michalak is a Boston based wedding photographer and owner of Storie Photo Collective LLC and the Wedding Photographers Academy.
Come behind the scenes with me to a real wedding and a real first look with a bride and groom. I'll photograph their first look and some portraits.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:10 Setting up a photogenic first look
00:56 Finding good light
01:48 Pre-first look chat with bride
02:17 The Wedding Photographers Academy
02:55 First look
05:51 Bride and groom portraits
11:08 Brides portraits
13:02 Grooms portraits
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join the Wedding Photographers Academy waitlist: bit.ly/wpawaitlist
Free posing Guide (also gets you on the WPA waitlist): bit.ly/12dynamicweddingposes
Follow me on social!
Follow the Wedding Photographers Academy: / weddingphotogsacademy
Follow my work: / storiephotoco
Wedding, portrait session, and mentor inquiries: storiephoto.com/contact
Business Inquires/Direct email: [e-mail]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How I manage my business (HoneyBook): bit.ly/gethoneybookasap
MY GEAR
Main Photography Camera
Sony A74: amzn.to/3DO0Rh1
Lenses that I'm currently using
Sony 50mm 1.2 (my workhorse): amzn.to/4cbWPP8
Sony 35mm 1.4: amzn.to/3vblBya
Sony 24mm 1.4: amzn.to/4a7IHVd
Sigma 85mm 1.4: amzn.to/3VkcMg3
Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM II: amzn.to/3wSew6h
Lensbaby Edge 35: amzn.to/3wZFsAM
Cheaper alternatives that I've owned/used in the past:
Sigma 35mm 1.4: amzn.to/4bErkMu
Even cheaper Sigma 35 2.0: amzn.to/3K60WPO
Sony 50mm 1.8: amzn.to/3wWyyMY
Tamron 28-75mm 2.8: amzn.to/3vgbYhy
Tamron 70-180mm: amzn.to/3wSMsi
Cheaper, but still great camera for getting into wedding photography (built my portfolio on this camera)
Sony A7III: amzn.to/3Yagurp
Tripods
Lightweight/travel tripod: amzn.to/4aaPeyj
More robust video tripod: amzn.to/49ONgUt
Action Cam's used for BTS
GoPro Hero 12 Black: amzn.to/4a9DvQO
GoPro Hero 9 Black: amzn.to/3TBF8kR
Insta 360 Go 3: amzn.to/4boN67e
Camera/gear Bags I use
Think Tank Airport Security (main gear roller): amzn.to/3wUcKBz
Tenba TriPak for lightstands: amzn.to/3wF5QjE
Peak Design Everyday Sling: amzn.to/3UK0ziW
Ona Bowery Messenger Bag: amzn.to/3TchFVX
Large Rolling Case: amzn.to/4dGkYht
Other wedding photography gear
On Camera flash: amzn.to/3VhepLn
Off camera flash: amzn.to/48SNvg3
Triggers: amzn.to/3x1IioT
Ultra portable flash stands: amzn.to/48NAK6A
Ear Protection (for wedding receptions): amzn.to/48MYyaE
Bose Bluetooth Speaker (use during portrait sessions): amzn.to/3wZHS2i
Magmod diffusion: amzn.to/48NE1mo
TH-cam/Video Gear:
Sony A7SIII Camera: amzn.to/3HHfXGn
Godox SL60W Light: amzn.to/3YbV5y1
Lantern Softbox: amzn.to/3I4zQbz
(I actually use Aputure products but they are discontinued and these are much cheaper and just as good)
*Commissions may be earned from the links above. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Using these affiliate links is a great way to support the channel as these videos take time out of pocket expenses to make. So, thank you.

[@darrellwilliams1031]

nice work man

[@SteveMichalak]

Thanks bro 👊🏼

Very good

[@eemilosmala7573]

So glad that you made this bts video of first looks and portraits, images are looking great! 🤩 Im going to shoot my first weddings this summer and im super nervous about it. Im confident with my camera and my skills, but still its just so big day for them and there isnt any redos. 😅 Any tips by any chance?

[@SteveMichalak]

Happy you found it helpful. I’ve got lots of tips but mostly just being aware of the timing for everything. Follow the 30/30/30 rule for family, wedding party, and bride and groom portraits. Have a few signature “safe” poses to go through that are must haves. Be prepared for a fast paced day and just be ready to adapt to something not going exactly according to plan. Shoot me a dm on IG if you have any specific questions. Good luck!

[@claudiaortiz4496]

Gear specs