Entertainment for a Kid’s Birthday Party

Wedding photographers must know how to take really good pictures. They need to be experts on shutter speeds, apertures, film speeds, white balances and more. There's more to wedding photography than just knowing the ins and outs of snapping beautiful photos, though. If you're a wedding photographer, here are three ways that you can improve the service you provide to married couples -- and they don't have anything to do with actually shooting photos.

Learn the Religious Customs

If you shoot enough weddings, you'll eventually likely be in weddings of religious traditions that you're unfamiliar with. Make sure you talk with at least the couple getting married, if not the religious leader also, to find out what traditions and customs particular religious have.

Finding out what the religious customs are will help you avoid making a gaffe and offending people at the wedding, because you'll know what customs are to be particularly respected. For instance, you may find that one church, mosque, or synagogue will let you walk right up to the altar, but another one won't let you go up to it at all.

You'll also know what moments of the ceremony are of the greatest religious importance, and you'll be able to capture those on camera.

Find Out if Family or Friends Are Planning Surprises

While the bride and groom are able to plan their big day, sometimes family members and friends like to include surprises in the wedding day festivities.

Sometimes, you may be able to react quickly to a planned surprise you didn't know about and get a shot or two of it. It's preferable to know about any surprises beforehand, however, so you can be in position to get the best photo. Additionally, if you're in on the surprise before it happens, you might be able to send an assistant out to get a few pictures of the surprise being prepared. These photos could provide many laughs for those involved afterwards.

To find out if anyone has any surprises planned, discretely ask the following key people whether they have any surprises or know of anyone who does:

• the maid or matron of honor
• the best man
• the bride's and groom's parents
• any close friends
• any siblings

Network with Other Wedding Professionals

Networking with other wedding professionals can make you useful to the bride and groom before you even take your first picture. Couples getting married will need, in addition to you, a caterer, DJ or band, and other professionals. They may ask you for recommendations. If you could provide one or two recommendations to good professionals in the area, the couple you're serving would likely be grateful.