Learning a few best wedding photography tips can help the outcome of your candid wedding photos, and who doesn’t want the best possible photos? We’ve identified three traditional moments of a wedding day that typically make amazing in-the-moment wedding photos, but a little help from the bride and groom can go a long way. During these exciting, emotional moments, it is very difficult to hold back tears or shrieks of joy, let alone to remember to photogenically smile for the camera, but we think a little knowledge can go a long way!
Best Wedding Photography Tips for Candid Photos of the Big Day
First off, if you are interested in having plenty of candid photos of your big day, two photographers may be the way to go. Typically without two photographers on site, it can be difficult to capture both portrait photos and unexpected candid moments due to the setting the camera has to be in to capture the different types of scenarios.
The Aisle Exit
Once the wedding ceremony is completed, there is a huge feeling of success across the room. When the couple turns out to the audience and ultimately exits down the center aisle together, smiles are big, arms are up in the air, and genuine happiness is expressed!
Sometimes this ceremony exit done outside the ceremony location while guests blow bubbles, throw lavender, or wave ribbons also makes for some of the best candid wedding photos during the day. The excitement of the marriage being official and anticipation of an exciting wedding reception ahead helps these authentic moments make wonderful photos!
Exit Photo Tips
Look up! With a big dress, formal shoes, or steps ahead, it is easy for that head to look down, but try at all costs to keep it up as long as possible and smile at your partner or to the photographer at the end of the aisle. Also make sure to keep arms or bouquets out of each other’s faces!
The Reception Entrance
Another chance to capture pure delight on the faces of the couple is when they are entering their reception hall for the first time. It is a bit overwhelming seeing 100 to 400 of your closest friends cheer you on all at once, but the reaction of delight is still one to capture! This can be a more difficult shot to capture, as many guests stand to applaud the happy couple, sometime right in the shot line of the photographer.
Also, learn more about creative ways for you and the wedding party to enter the reception here.
Entrance Photo Tips
No need to speed walk to the head table here. Take your time through the crowd and enjoy making eye contact with your loved ones in the crowd (and the photographer). 🙂
The First Dance
Moving right along from entering the ceremony to traditional dances. Typically things kick off with the couple’s first dance. While prior candid opportunities we’ve mentioned are only about 20-30 seconds, with the first dance, there is three to four minutes to be captured here!
Photo Tips
Find ways to be intimate with your partners’ eyes, instead of spending the entire dance leaning your head on their shoulder or chest. It might also be best to chat with the DJ here about turning off any colorful lights during the spotlight dances so the wedding dress remains it’s true color.
Wedding photography is perhaps one of the most difficult and stressful types of photography, so first understanding that capturing every moment of the day perfectly is quite a feat. No matter how much experience an event photographer has, there still may be an uncle who steps in front of the camera or a mother trying to capture the moment as well on her iPad. But keeping in mind the photographer can better succeed with a bit of your cooperation or adjustments never hurts!
Complete Weddings + Events in Kansas City
Finding the right DJ can sometimes require a lot of time and research. At Complete Weddings + Events in Kansas City, we want to help make this easier for you. When you meet with our event consultant, we will go over all the things that are important to you and match you to the very best DJ for your event. The DJs we hire have all the qualities of great DJs, and they know exactly how to make your event everything you want.
There is nothing more important to us than helping to create amazing events. Contact us to learn about some of Kansas City’s best DJs. We can’t wait to connect you with the people who will help you through your “I do’s!”