As a wedding photographer, you want to get the best shots while being unobtrusive at the same time.
During the ceremony especially, as a photographer, give some space. It’s not only distracting for the bride and groom, but ALL the guests if you are standing up close. People prefer to see the bride and groom without a photographer plus their honking camera in the way. I’ve been at weddings where the photographer didn’t take other people into consideration and last I checked, no one wants your butt in their face the entire time.
I like to pretend to be a ninja. Hide behind bridesmaids, moms, dads, and shoot over their shoulder. Crouch between furniture, stand on chairs…
Standing back and giving space will also allow intimate moments to unfold. People give more genuine emotion when there isn’t a camera right in their face. Mike Colon says it best: It’s like looking through a window.
Note: To do this, it helps to have a longer lens. My longer lens is the 70-200mmf/2.8 which I love to use during the ceremony, first dance, and speeches. When I first started shooting weddings I didn’t have a long lens and it made it very difficult to get those intimate shots from far away. A long lens is worth renting or investing in!
In summary – be a ninja. Not only does it work better for everyone, it’s fun. *dramatic shoulder tumble.
Nice shoulder tumble. I like to think of myself as a little photographic hedgehog.
Hehe. Hedgehog…
Love Your work and Love learning from you!!
Excellent tips! as usual! thanks!
Be a Ninja is my goal! 😀
This is random, but 3 of the pictures, were they taken in OH?
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