Free Q&A for Photographers: Full Recording & Key Takeaways
This post contains the full recording of an open Q&A session I ran with a group of photographers. It’s unscripted, full of real questions and practical fixes
If you’re new here, I’m Kevin Mullins, a documentary wedding photographer and educator based in the UK.
We talk about working fast without fuss, Auto ISO guardrails, Fujifilm Dynamic Range behaviour, contracts and privacy, street-craft on receptions and dance floors, and more
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Presets: The Lightroom presets used across my blog images
Browse presetsAt a Glance (Key Takeaways)
Auto ISO is brilliant once you set sensible floors and ceilings; remember that “Minimum Shutter” is effectively a recommendation and the camera can dip below it. Watch the EVF turning your shutter readout blue as the warning signal .
Dynamic Range 100/200/400 affects exposure behaviour. DR200/400 will lift ISO to protect highlights; DR100 is my baseline for predictable control in tricky venues .
RAW capture with a monochrome preview lets you read light and gesture fast while keeping full latitude for the edit. I often use an Acros + Red-style preview .
Contracts and privacy: include clear publishing permission, offer an opt-out, and show galleries before publishing so couples can request removals. Laws vary by country; keep it plain English and consistent .
Street-craft at weddings: choose light and background first, then let the scene build. Clean frames in busy rooms come from patience, layering and timing, not direction
Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and what this video is
00:19 What to expect, who I am, what we’ll cover
01:12 How I work under pressure, DR gotchas, permissions, street-craft overview
05:28 Auto ISO guardrails and why “Minimum Shutter” can still dip
06:46 RAW with a monochrome preview mindset (Acros + Red)
09:57 Websites vs social media for showing work (why long-form still wins)
15:05 Privacy, contracts, GDPR responsibilities and practical workflow
23:26 Course note (The Art of Documentary Wedding Photography)
26:18 Back to Q&A
27:05 Fujifilm Dynamic Range in RAW: what 100/200/400 really do, and why I start at DR100
30:41 Street photography, usage and releases (people, police, buildings; UK vs EU nuance)
45:02 Careers beyond weddings in the age of AI: risks and opportunities
58:23 Spain, stadium policies and the “no real cameras” trend (anecdote)
01:07:54 Adapters and mixing systems briefly
01:08:36 Wrap-up and thanks
The Meat (Summaries)
1) Auto ISO that actually works at weddings
Set base and max ISO for print-safe files, then a minimum shutter that matches focal length and scene pace. Remember the camera may dip under your minimum; treat it as advisory and watch for the EVF shutter readout turning blue as your cue to intervene .
2) RAW capture, monochrome preview, faster decisions
Compose and judge light with a B&W preview, keep the flexibility of RAW. I often set Acros + Red in-camera so the preview emphasises tonal separation and gesture while capture remains RAW for the colour/B&W decision in edit .
3) Dynamic Range 100/200/400 on Fujifilm
DR200/400 raise ISO to protect highlights. That behaviour carries into RAW via exposure choice, so the file’s baseline ISO will be higher. For predictable shutter/aperture control in low light, I typically start at DR100 and only move up when highlight protection is genuinely needed .
4) Contracts, permissions and privacy
Put standard publishing permission in the contract with a simple opt-out. Under GDPR responsibilities vary; I show couples the gallery first, honour removals, and avoid foregrounding the “sharing” conversation in sales meetings so it does not create friction unnecessarily. If a couple insists on full privacy, some photographers add a privacy fee; I explain both approaches in the session so you can choose what suits your market .
5) Street-craft in receptions and dance floors
Work the light first, lock a background, then let people move through the frame. Clean layers and micro-gestures beat constant direction. This keeps you fast and invisible and reduces friction with guests
FAQ
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Yes. DR200/400 push ISO to protect highlights, which influences the RAW exposure baseline. I usually start at DR100 and move up only when highlights demand it
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Set a firm minimum shutter and keep an eye on the EVF. The camera can dip under your minimum in some modes, so intervene if you see the blue shutter readout
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It simplifies decision-making and highlights light and gesture, while RAW keeps full latitude to finish in colour or B&W later
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Plain permission for marketing and portfolio use, an opt-out, and a workflow where couples preview the gallery before anything is published. Laws vary by country, so adapt the clause accordingly
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In the UK, candid coverage used for editorial/portfolio is broadly fine, but not for advertising someone’s likeness. Building trademarks and country laws vary, so check local rules and use common sense
This comprehensive online course offers 7+ hours of practical insights to help you tell authentic wedding stories. Explore how to use light, composition, and human behaviour to create compelling images with confidence. Drawing on real-world lessons from my experience shooting over 800 weddings, this masterclass includes practical advice, personal insights, and an exclusive live Q&A session.
