I was sipping my overpriced cup of hazelnut latte, sucking in polluted Jakarta outdoor air into my poor lungs, enjoying my far-too-precious time with my family on a Sunday late afternoon a few years back, when my mom stated calmly, but firmly, that had I been more outgoing, I would have more friends. My kid sister, a living proof of how speed-of-mouth can well outrun speed-of-thought (peace sis ), quickly added that I simply am too quiet, and must really work on how I interact with people.

And at that very moment, I thought to myself, no one, no one, really knows us, but ourselves. People change, we go through many phases in our lives. And we’re labeled, many times, along the way. So it’s completely normal that my family still sees me as this fat introvert kid who can down one jurassic piece of bread in 2 seconds flat. It’s also normal that my high school friends remember me as the still fat piano-and-guitar player who couldn’t stop talking . And yes, it’s perfectly normal that my college friends see me as this skinni-er hyperactive all-sports-playing dude who’d go longer than the Energizer bunny. And the longer you go, the more labels people tag on you.

But let me let you in on a little secret of mine, a secret perhaps only a handful of loved ones are aware of.  Folks, I’m a romantic. A foolish,  hopeless, romantic. And it was one of the main reasons I took the plunge into the wedding photography business. The smiles, the tears, the drama (mix a psychotic overprotective single parent mother-of-the-groom trying to let go of her only son with one razor-sharp-tongue high-pitched bride, and you WILL get drama! ), but most of all, the love-filled atmosphere of the wedding day, make me want to do this forever. And I really hope that my pictures can serve as a reminder to those couples going through patches of rough time, that it was love that brought them together in the first place, a love worth fighting for.

Most people probably go through around 100 weddings in their lifetime. For most guys, that’s 100 too many! And if you’re like most guys with cameras, you’ve likely wondered what it’d be to photograph a wedding as a guest or a family member. So read on brothers!  (sisters are welcome too )

Stay Clear of the Pros!  

Dude! I know you’re a family member or a close friend. And I know that you think that makes you more important than us, mere photographers. But when you’re in our way, you’re actually hurting the couple ‘cause you’re preventing us from putting good pictures into their wedding albums. And you simply can’t undo the damage. So, work with the pros, politely introduce yourself, offer to help them with family members, and they’ll work you in. Win win.

Be Informed

Good photographers stay ahead of the moments, so they’re the ones who are standing with the perfect gear set up, in the perfect spot, snapping away when the moments are happening. Amateurs? They’re the ones trying to ready their gear or rushing to get to the spot. So, get the Wedding Rundown from the couple of the Wedding Organizer days ahead, and envision yourself shooting through the day, and you’ll know what to do.

Be Patient, You’re HUNTING

Imagine your shot, set the exposure, and wait. Wait for the perfect moment, don’t give up easily. If need be, help create the moment by telling a sweet story or by cracking a joke. Follow your hunch, snap away. You’ll smile when you see the results

Come Prepared, but Pack Lightly

A DSLR body, 17-50/2.8 and 50/1.8 lenses, a flash unit, enough memory cards and batteries are what this doctor recommends

Share the Joy

Pros often need weeks before they can deliver the draft photos to the happy couple.  So, pick some of your best shots, and quickly send them to the couple, you’d really make their day!