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Final Thoughts

Lesson 56 from: The Wedding Story: Capture Creative and Authentic Photos

Davina and Daniel Kudish

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Lesson Info

56. Final Thoughts

Lessons

Class Trailer
1

Class Introduction

03:25
2

What Are "Epic" Images?

16:50
3

The Slideshow Formula

11:04
4

First Client Meeting

08:19
5

Establish Client Relationship

20:35
6

Expectation vs Preparation

10:39
7

Pre-Wedding Checklist

06:55
8

Gear for Photographing Weddings

07:16
9

Capture The Subtleties

03:32
10

Show The Connection

04:07
11

Importance of Capturing Transitions

25:17
12

Sidelines & Story Telling Details

23:42
13

Anticipation & Patience

09:26
14

Let The Scene Develop

21:10
15

Sequencing in Numbers

08:53
16

Successful "Anticipatience"

19:52
17

Examples of Poor Reaction Time

08:57
18

HTCG in 10

06:41
19

Giving Direction

15:33
20

Have Variety With Light & Composition

10:24
21

Capture The Mood

07:37
22

Take Advantage of Natural Light

05:43
23

Be Creative With Video Light

06:47
24

On-camera Flash For The Dance Floor

05:32
25

Find Flattering Ambient Light

04:09
26

Don't be Afraid of Tough Light

04:32
27

Composition & Framing

12:07
28

Lens Choice

06:11
29

Keep it Simple

18:13
30

Purpose of the Creative Portrait

29:07
31

Scouting for the Creative Portrait

17:06
32

Maximize a Location

05:48
33

Unique Posing for a Creative Portrait

12:04
34

Experiment with Your Photography

12:42
35

Make The Image Personal

11:19
36

Post Production Overview

05:04
37

Stay Organized in Post Production

04:42
38

Full Gallery Edits

05:25
39

Lightroom Workflow Overview

06:48
40

Bring Out Detail in Lightroom

10:55
41

Black & White in Lightroom

10:51
42

Landscape Images in Lightroom

06:32
43

Bold Images in Lightroom

05:18
44

Slideshow Edits

07:26
45

Importance of The Slideshow

08:18
46

Selecting Slideshow Images For a Large Wedding

22:13
47

Culling Slideshow Images for a Large Wedding

20:22
48

Complete Slideshow Example for a Large Wedding

07:22
49

Slideshow Images for a Small Wedding

15:24
50

Complete Slideshow Example for a Small Wedding

09:49
51

Build a Business Around Storytelling

08:10
52

Portfolio for Clients

15:04
53

Importance of The Inquiry Reply

11:35
54

Price List Best Practices

21:04
55

How to Price Your Work

12:10
56

Final Thoughts

05:05

Lesson Info

Final Thoughts

Well we are at the wrap up stage. Oh boy, are we going to get emotional about being done? No, no. Me? Never. So what we want to leave you guys with we want to make sure that our formula is nice and clear, so we'll just leave it here as a slide one last time. Again, this is the formula for us right now. If you talk to us again in a year or two years, this might change and that's okay. You have to leave an open mind in business and in photography and let yourself adapt. Don't get stuck in your ways. Yeah, so the idea for the formula as you know by now, this is for our slide show. This is how we piece together our slide show. Want to cover the inner circle, the most important people related to the wedding. The obvious moments of the day, transitions to take you from one place to the other. Sidelines, so you know, where a lot of personality is coming out, kids, and people at the bar, and just anything that can be adding to the main storyline. Storytelling details, same idea. Detail...

that is very specific to that wedding that can show some personality. And the opening photo, which is gonna be, you know, that hopefully kind of grand image that opens the slideshow. Might be the cover image on the album, it might also be a print on their wall, those are all the hopes that we have. Outside of the slideshow, we have covering the other guests and our responsibilities. That's formal photos of families, safe looking at the camera photos that are gonna be classic forever, detail photos, any of those photos, and throughout the entire day, we're reminding ourselves or trying to keep in mind, how does it feel to be here? How can I convey mood in my images? Showing emotion and connection between people and doing all of this with some visual variety. So our galleries and our slideshow especially aren't visually repetitive. Those are all of the very valuable tips that our son Max has given us throughout the two days. So make sure that you get close to your subject, don't be afraid to do that. When interacting with your clients, listen, care and share. So share a bit about yourself and let your clients into your own life as well. Calm the F down, he said fudge, just again I want to be clear, so calm the fudge down. This is really about having a calm mental state, and not letting yourself panic, and anticipating your photos and being very patient with yourself and seeing all of your photos through. Don't be afraid to take control, you know, we're wedding photographers, not photo journalists and taking control is okay in a lot of instances. Don't control the moments, but do control where the situations happen. Make sure the hands are always busy, especially for posing, and even in storytelling moments, be sure that the hands are included by they express so much towards other people. And then take it all the way as Max says. So if you're working on a photo that's a little bit abstract make sure that it's abstract all the way. Don't leave any literal elements in the images. So here's our advice, I guess, or where we hope that you can kind of go forth and conquer after this course. So connect with the client before the wedding. Get tuned in to what's important to them, who is important to them, and set the tone for your involvement in the day. For us that comes through the pre-wedding meeting. Take any form. It can take multiple forms. It can be a phone call, it can be a Skype call, whatever it may be. It could be several drinks at a bar. But yeah, take the time to get to know them and just know what they're about, who is really important to them. And remember to not make assumptions, and not to have any judgements. Also, focus on one photo at a time, and be deliberate about what you are photographing in that moment and commit to the photos and see them all the way through. That goes back to Max's advice to calm the F down. Yes. And of course, apply the formula to tell the complete story of the wedding day as it applies to this specific couple. So once you've gotten to know them, and you know what they're about, who is important to them, look at the wedding day as your chance to tell a complete story through all the elements that we've discussed. And, most important, embrace your bias. So let your own life experiences dictate how you take your photos.

Class Materials

Bonus Materials with Purchase

Wedding Photography Contract
Albums Contract
Pre-Wedding Checklist
Five Discount Codes

Ratings and Reviews

a Creativelive Student
 

Holy Moly! I have been very familiar with Davina & Daniel for several years and I also work closely with Image Salon for the past 3 years. I loved their relatability, raw honesty, human connection, and their teaching method. It was also super helpful to see the GoPro footage on a real wedding day and walk through their thought process with them. A refreshing wind of inspiration has now flooded my mind and attitude. I am excited to begin my 8th year of weddings with a clear mind and full heart. These two are the REAL deal and I am so happy I made this investment. Thanks, CL for always bringing the BEST of the BEST.

a Creativelive Student
 

I’ve been following Davina and Daniel’s work for years and suffice it to say, they are in my top 6 all time favorites. I was so excited to watch this creative live and it didn’t disappoint. From their approach to shooting through the moments, to their stunning locales and minimalist gear, there is something for everyone in this class. Both Daniel and Davina have a tremendous knowledge of photography and their willingness to share and educate is second to none. Oh, and just so you know, they are also the nicest people on the planet. Super sweet, amazingly talented. Thanks for having them on.

a Creativelive Student
 

Davina and Daniel are fantastic presenters as well as an exceptional photo team (plus they are super nice people, too!). I love their approach and methods and felt like there is so much value in this course. Even though I've been photographing for a long time, I took away a lot of great value gems from their course and look forward to applying several to my own business!

Student Work

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