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How To Photograph A Wedding

I'm often asked the question, how do I photograph a wedding. This article will give you some good tips, starting from the point where the bride and groom sign the register in the church.

In the Church

Always be discreet and non disruptive in the church. If you have been given permission try to capture the exchange of rings but be very discreet. Any shots you miss at this point can be posed after the service. . In the majority of cases the Minster will wish to allow a proper signing and then allow you to pose a shot. Congratulate the couple using their new name, this will raise a smile.

You should now leave quickly and go to the bottom of the aisle.

There are two ways of capturing the aisle shot, either pre-focus on a chosen spot and take the shot as the couple reach it or, ask the couple to stop. If you get them to stop, focus quickly then ask them to start walking again, at this point take the shot.

Outside

You should now (weather permitting) go outside, check exposure and stop the Bride and Groom in the doorway, take a minimum two shots, one full length and one three-quarter length.

The Bride and Groom

Turn their bodies inward toward each other and ask them to lean their heads toward each other too. As mentioned in the portraiture session, this is about illustrating and capturing the intimacy of the day; to do this effectively you need to exaggerate some of the poses.

The groom should stand on the right of the bride. Ask them to hold each other's right hands. This technique will pull their bodies naturally closer. The bride should then hold the bouquet in her left hand using it to cover the clasped right hands. The groom should have his left hand gently on the brides back, ensuring the fingers are not protruding from her side.

Start with the Biggest Groups and Work Downward

You should start with the biggest group and reduce it for subsequent shots, this way people do not have the chance to wander off. This approach also allows the Bride and Groom to relax during a few group shots in preparation for their own photo session nearer the end of the day.

Bridal Party

With all the large group shots taken you should now concentrate on the Bridal party, anyone who has been missed can be taken later at the reception.

Taking the Bridal party somewhere away from the other guests is advantageous. It allows you to work undisturbed by large numbers of guests all wanting to congratulate and photograph the Bride and Groom. It will also allow the Bridal party to relax into the photo shoot.

On Location

On arrival at your chosen location your first sequence of shots should be those, which include the parents of the Bride and Groom. Next you should shoot the Bride and Groom with both sets of parents and then with each of their parents in turn.

If you did not visit the Bride's house earlier then you should take a shot of both sets of parents on their own. It is probably a long time since the parents had a photograph of themselves together and looking so smart, this shot is usually a good seller.

By: Bobby Jonnes

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Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have written a comprehensive guide on wedding and group photography. Visit my site for more information - Click Here for Wedding and Group Photography Guide. You can also download a free flash guide. Bobby is a photographer and author. He has been commissioned to shoot thousands of events, including weddings.

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