Among the most important professionals you’ll hire on your wedding day, somewhat counterintuitively, is someone who offers something that you won’t actually enjoy on the day itself. If anything, having your photo taken during the day is a distraction and an inconvenience – but it’s one that’s more than justified by the amazing images you’ll be able to look at whenever you want to recall the big day, and the emotions that it stirred.
You’ll have just one chance to get your wedding photographs right. That means picking out an experienced photographer, and having a frank discussion about the images you definitely want to capture.
The Essential Pre-Ceremony Moments
Your wedding shots shouldn’t just be confined to the venue. Often, candid shots of the bridal party, of of the family preparing for the event, can capture the anticipation that might be forgotten after the adrenaline has worn off. Of course, the photographer can only be in one place at any given time, and so the default option in most cases is for them to accompany the bridal party. At the same time, this isn’t mandatory.
Ceremony Highlights You Can’t Miss
The ceremony can be thought of as a long sequence of specific acts and rituals, each of which might be captured in the right photos. There’s the long walk down the aisle, the exchange of rings, the first kiss, and all of those other small moments that come in between. In the United States, weddings are getting more intimate, and even ‘unplugged’. The emphasis of the photos, similarly, should be on the couple, rather than any details of the backdrop. The only exception might be a close-up of the couples’ wedding bands being exchanged.
Portraits and Group Shots That Tell Your Story
Getting everyone together for a big group photo, and then a few photos of various sub-groups of guests, can be more than worthwhile – however awkward it might seem in the moment. You might have a picture of all of the groom’s friends, and then all of the bride’s friends, and then particular branches of the family.
If these shots seem overly stiff and rehearsed, then they might be complemented by spontaneous shots captured by a photographer given license to roam around the venue, capturing those special, off-the-cuff moments when your guests are properly relaxed.
Reception Moments and Detail Shots That Complete the Album
Many of the memorable moments on any given wedding day come as the evening wears on. You might need photographs of your first dance together, the moment you cut the cake, and the speeches given by your family and friends. Close-up shots of the décor details might help you to keep everything contextualized, too.
