We all may be handy enough with our phone filters and Instagram snaps, but managing to get really beautiful wedding photos of our favorite soon-to-be-newlyweds? Not so easy!
But lots of couples turn to friends or family for help in photographing their weddings—it can cut costs and also provide a pretty cool way to include other people in the day. Pro photographer Sara Kauss shared these DIY tips with Digital Trends—and, hey, they actually seem pretty doable!
1: Anticipate emotions. It's a wedding, so there will be plenty of feels. But Kauss says that you can kind of tell when something special is going to happen, so be aware and ready.
2: Use the surroundings. Frame your shots using the venue's natural resources—leafy trees, old windows, cacti, ponds, pretty birds. After all, says Kauss, the couple chose the venue for a specific reason: It means something to them.
3: Simple is good! You don't need to invest thousands of dollars on high-tech shooting systems; actually, Kauss says you might not even need a tripod to get great shots. Also, remember that if you're shooting a destination wedding, some countries have restrictions on how much equipment you're allowed to bring in without requiring a work visa, so be sure to look into that well in advance.
So have you ever shot someone else's wedding—or did you have a friend shoot yours? What sorts of tips would you include?
More on wedding pics:
* 4 reasons to have your guests leave their phones at home
* Check out this epic Star Wars wedding!
* How to save money on wedding photography