A Nigerian Wedding - The Colour, Culture & Chaos Behind My Latest Shoot
Wedding Registry Nigerian Bride and Groom Signing
Before this shoot even began, one thing stood out immediately: having a contract in place was one of the smartest decisions I made. It clearly outlined expectations on both sides and gave me structure going into what turned out to be a fast-paced and unpredictable wedding day.
For this shoot, I kept my main setup simple but reliable:
Sony A7R IV
Sigma 24–70mm 2.4 lens
Godox V1 Pro flash
I also used a second camera, my Canon 90D with a 50mm 1.8 lens. I will explain why I used this combination later on in this blog.
This combination turned out to be exactly what I needed, especially considering how unpredictable the day became.
A Chaotic Start at the Registry
The day began at the registry office at 1:30 PM, and the first challenge hit before I even got inside. Parking was much further than expected, and carrying all my gear across that distance wasn’t ideal.
But things escalated quickly once I reached the venue.
As I walked in, I was stopped by the venue staff who told me only one photographer was allowed inside and that they were already upstairs. For a moment, I was so confused. I got a call from the bride, and we quickly realised the “photographer” they were referring to was actually a social media videographer. So technically, I was still the only photographer.
After some back and forth, they eventually let me through. By that point, I was running late and had no choice but to jump straight into the action.
Working Under Pressure
The registry room itself was small and, at times, quite dark. This is where having the right lens made all the difference. Shooting at 24mm allowed me to capture the full scene despite the tight space, and I was still able to move quickly between moments.
Even with the pressure, there were some genuinely beautiful scenes that I was able to capture. The groom stood waiting, calm but clearly emotional. Then the doors opened, and the bride walked in with her maid of honour, a moment that felt both intimate and powerful at the same time.
The venue staff, despite the initial confusion, turned out to be incredibly helpful. They guided me on when I could and couldn’t take photos, always with a smile. That support helped me settle into the rhythm of the ceremony.
How to Lose Your Dignity as a Photographer in 3 Seconds
There was, however, one moment I won’t forget anytime soon. I dropped my lens cap, and it slid perfectly under a locked door. I had to ask the staff to unlock it and retrieve it for me, not exactly my proudest moment. Still, they handled it with patience and kindness, which made it a little less painful.
Adapting on the Fly
I had originally planned to capture some behind-the-scenes footage using my Insta360, mounted to my chest. It would have added a really nice perspective to the shoot for my reels on Instagram and TikTok. But with everything running behind schedule and the pressure building, I had to let that idea go. There simply wasn’t time to set it up properly.
Moments like that remind me how quickly plans can change on a live shoot — and how important it is to adapt without overthinking.
The Rush Outside
Once the ceremony ended, we moved downstairs and outside for group photos. This is where things became truly hectic.
Another wedding party was already waiting for their turn at the bottom of the venue stairs, and the venue staff were understandably pushing us to move quickly. That party's photographer stood there watching us, and I could feel the pressure as I could tell she was mainly looking at me and how I worked. Damn, I never felt more pressured at a photo shoot than I have at this moment. At the same time, guests were naturally doing their own thing, talking, celebrating, and moving around, which made it difficult to organise structured shots.
I had to step up and take control, raising my voice slightly to direct people and bring some order to the situation. It’s never easy doing that in a formal setting, but it was necessary.
Trying to get clean shots of just the bride and groom was another challenge. A few guests kept stepping into frame, wanting to be part of the moment. Completely understandable, but in that short window, it meant I had to politely and quickly guide people out of the shot to get what was needed. Not exactly the shots I planned, but I got the shots I needed.
A Much Needed Reset
Me with my Run and Go equipment ready for the party.
After that intense start, we made our way to the second venue for the main celebration. This part of the day felt like a reset.
I arrived early while everyone else went to change in their hotels, and that quiet time made a huge difference. It gave me space to breathe, think, and properly prepare for the next phase of the shoot.
I set up my 360 camera, this time attaching it to my camera brace since I was running two cameras. I also had my Canon 90D with a 50mm lens on hand. It might seem unusual to carry two different brands, but that camera was my first ever, and I brought it along as a backup in case anything went wrong with my main setup. Thankfully, I didn’t need it for that, but I did use it for a few creative shots.
I also set up a parabolic softbox facing the stage, planning for group photos later on.
Settling Into the Celebration
Before guests arrived, I took the opportunity to capture the venue as it was clean, prepared, and full of anticipation. These establishing shots are something I’ve come to value more over time. I learned this from my jobs at events where the client always wanted shots before the event started.
As the evening progressed, I moved between moments naturally. I photographed the bride and groom getting ready, guided them through a few more artistic shots utilising the Hollywood-style vanity mirrors, also using this opportunity and amazing lighting to get some ring shots. I then focused on capturing the energy of the room as guests arrived.
There were speeches, laughter, dancing, and a constant flow of moments worth capturing. The atmosphere was completely different from the registry. It was louder, more vibrant, and full of personality.
Watch out for the Cake!!!
At one point, everyone gathered on a relatively small stage, with the cake placed to the side. What started as a celebration quickly became a tight, high-energy situation.
I was in the middle of it all, trying to capture the moment while staying aware of everything around me. There wasn’t much space to move, and I genuinely thought the cake might get knocked over at any second.
Without really thinking, I stepped in and moved it slightly out of danger. I also noticed the carpet beneath us wasn’t properly secured and had started to bunch up, creating a trip hazard. I adjusted it where I could.
That instinct comes directly from my background working as security in music venues, where health and safety are always a priority. It’s interesting how those habits carry over into completely different environments.
The Experience Beyond Photography
One of the standout parts of this shoot was the culture. The energy of a Nigerian wedding is something else: the music, which in my opinion was a bit too loud for the venue size, the movement, the sense of celebration.
Multiple times, I was offered food while they were eating, but my main priority at that time was catching people with mouths open eating, LOL (Photographers used to catch me out like this too, so I have to get my revenge and keep the ritual going). The food was delicious, and it added to the overall experience and made me feel part of the event rather than just someone working it. Always nice to have amazing clients that don’t treat you like rubbish.
Going Beyond the Clock
The shoot was originally planned to finish at 6 PM, but I ended up staying until 8 PM at the bride’s request.
I didn’t mind in the moment; the energy was still high, and there were still moments to capture. But it did highlight something I need to tighten up moving forward: clearer communication around time and expectations.
The Aftermath
When I got home, the exhaustion hit properly.
Then came the editing. I just wanted to watch One Piece!
I had taken over 1600 photos throughout the day, which I narrowed down to around 600 final images. The editing process wasn’t the hardest, but it definitely required focus.
The bride had asked for a bright and warm look, which I leaned into. At the same time, I included some black and white edits and a few more artistic shots to add variety. Too much consistency can sometimes make a gallery feel flat, and I wanted this one to feel dynamic.
In the end, they loved that artistic decision I took. Sometimes you have got to take these risks and have fun with it.
For delivery, I used Pixieset for the first time, and it’s safe to say it won’t be the last. The ability to create clean, customised galleries, especially with sub-sections, made the whole presentation feel much more professional.
Final Thoughts
This shoot was very different from my usual event and portrait shoots. It demanded more energy, quicker decisions, and constant awareness.
But it was also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had so far.
If there’s one thing I’d take away immediately, it’s this: not every moment needs to be captured (1600 damn photos). Sometimes it’s about choosing the right moments, not all of them.
What I Learned & What I’d Improve
This experience reinforced a few key lessons. I need to be more proactive in understanding venue rules ahead of time and build more buffer into tight schedules. Managing people, especially in high-pressure situations, is just as important as the photography itself.
Looking ahead, I’d focus on being more selective with my shots rather than overshooting, and I’d make sure any creative tools like my 360 camera are ready well before the pressure kicks in.
Most importantly, I’d tighten up communication with clients, especially around timing, to avoid any uncertainty on the day.
This wasn’t just another wedding shoot.
It was a reminder that every experience, especially the chaotic ones, pushes you forward if you’re willing to learn from it.
I am so grateful to have done this job, and special thanks to the bride and groom for allowing me to upload their special day on social media and talk about it on my website.
Thank You!!!
Finally, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my first-ever blog. I will try to find a way to add a comment section and reviews so I can get some feedback and create a discussion with like-minded people.
