4 Ways the World Cup is like Wedding Photography

I am obsessed with the World Cup. This year’s games have had some amazing moments. Mexico’s team came out fighting strong against the home favorites – Brazil. The goalkeeper Ochoa not only kept Brazil from scoring a single goal in their match, but also defended shot after shot against the Netherlands in which Mexico was finally eliminated 2-1. Costa Rica played beautifully until finally being eliminated in the quarterfinals with a penalty shootout against the Netherlands. Our USMNT, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, France… I have loved watching them all.

Today it’s do or die. The championship. Who will go home with the cup and the glory – Germany or Argentina?

Soccer is just like wedding photography in some ways.

1. Training
It’s no secret that the best futbol players have spent thousands of hours practicing.

The best wedding photographers have also spent thousands of hours taking photos. They have developed their craft and style through classes, personal projects, workshops and just getting out there with a camera.

Soccer players learn the rules of the game, while photographers learn about f-stops, shutter speeds and ISO. The real test for both is applying that knowledge in the field.

2. Game Time
Before I decided to concentrate on wedding photography, I had a photojournalism degree, several years experience freelancing for newspapers, thousands of travel photos and a few personal projects. All of my experiences shaped me as a wedding photographer.

However, there is no substitute for game time. It’s one thing for a soccer player to be the best during practice. Add a loud crowd, unfamiliar stadium, the pressure of an important game like those in the World Cup, and now it’s not just the training that matters, but also the experience that was gained from having played many other games, the ability to keep one’s cool.

In the 100-plus weddings I have photographed, I have learned to anticipate moments better, work around the strict rules imposed by some churches, and always maintain my cool and professionalism whether my camera malfunctions during a wedding ceremony or a shotgun is pointed at me (well technically that was an engagement session, and Michael claims the guard was just holding the shotgun and not pointing it).

3. Teamwork
Soccer is known for its stars past and present: Pele, Maradona, Messi, Mueller, Ronaldo, Robben, Neymar. However, to win matches you need teamwork.

The German team has been an excellent example of teamwork in this World Cup. The defense and the goaltender have worked together protecting the net. Eight German players have scored a goal in this World Cup, second only to the Netherland’s nine I believe.

Weddings not only require the lead and second photographers to coordinate with each other, the relationship between the photographer and the couple is most important for good photos. The best photos happen when the bride and groom are in sync with their photographer. When I work with a couple, they trust me to take the best photos but we often work together to come up with ideas. I’m a big believer in drafting a game plan together before the wedding. When I know the couple, I can make suggestions that will fit their personality and style.

4. Goal
At the end of the day, in order to win you have to shoot. I’m not a soccer statistician, but I’m going to guess that often more shots on goal means more goals. Although it’s much more complicated than that. A player has to decide in a split second whether he should take the shot, where he wants it to go and how to do it. High, low, left, right, pass, run, shoot, left foot, right foot. Whatever he chooses, precision is key. An inch too high and the ball bounces off the goalpost. I’m not a soccer player, but I would venture to guess the best players think ahead, visualize and anticipate.

Wedding photography is not about shooting 300 photos per hour. It’s about timing, vision, anticipation, capturing that perfect moment of joy.

For wedding photographers, there is no greater reward than the smile of a bride and groom when they see their photos. I suspect it’s similar to the exaltation of winning a game.

It’s all about playing the best game – and winning.

What other ways is soccer like wedding photography?