Weddings are big days in anyone's life, and the photographs that capture those special moments can be treasured for years to come. But as anyone who has tried to break into this highly competitive field can tell you, getting those photos that make you go 'wow' takes more than just taking stunning images, it's about capturing the right moments and making sure that every image is part of the bigger story.

One of the best ways to ensure that you are not missing the 'critical moments' of a wedding is by planning ahead and scouting the venue well in advance. This gives you a chance to identify ideal shooting positions, get an idea of lighting conditions and even look for picture-perfect backdrops that will add to the jaw-dropping results of your shots.

Another way to help plan ahead for critical wedding moments is by providing your clients with a shot list before the event. This allows them to see the type of coverage that you can offer, as well as give you a better sense of how long they can expect you to stay at the wedding.

A good wedding photographer has to be a bit of a planner. While there will be some posed photos that you can take over and over again until they are perfect, some of the best photographs come from unexpected moments that can only be captured by being agile, quick and knowing how to blend in.

When shooting a wedding, you'll want to have the right equipment for the job. This will often include a variety of lenses. While zoom lenses are great for covering a wide range of perspectives, many photographers prefer the look that comes from using prime (fixed length) lenses. Popular choices include the 24-70mm and 70-200mm combinations.

You should also consider bringing along a flash or two for use during the ceremony and reception. Having this extra light is important for creating a more flattering look in low-light situations as well as for helping to separate your subject from a busy background.

While it is a good idea to get inspiration from the work of other wedding photographers, you should also try to find sources of creativity that are outside the industry. Pay attention to movies, commercials, music videos and magazine covers for examples of beautiful imagery. You may also want to try your hand at other genres of photography, such as street, portrait or fine art.

Lastly, don't forget to back up all of your wedding files immediately after the event. This will keep you from losing any images that could be critical to your clients' memories. Many wedding photographers choose to use cloud storage for this purpose, as it is easy to access and offers a high level of security.

In the end, the most important thing to remember when it comes to wedding photography is that your client's happiness is paramount. If you care about your couple and take the time to understand their needs, you will be able to create the type of images that they will love in a way that makes them feel special and loved in return.