While photographing a wedding, there is a lot to keep in mind and many priceless moments to record. The detail pictures during a wedding might easily be overlooked. It's not uncommon for the bride and groom to have spent some time and energy picking out these smaller elements in the lead-up to the wedding.
On a bustling wedding day, you may not have much time to photograph a large number of small details. However, the advice in this post should be useful.
The vast majority of the photographs We take during weddings are of people, including the happy couple, their guests, and the event itself. The main reason anyone opens a wedding book is to see the happy couple, and this is exactly what they will see. However, weddings are often rich in other visual aspects than the guests.
It would be a waste not to record some of the attention to detail that goes into making a wedding reception seem spectacular in the photo album. The best way I've found to do this is to focus on the little features in some of my photographs, even if that means excluding people entirely from certain images.
Time management is crucial for a smooth wedding shoot, as it might be difficult to get all the photos you need in one day. Because of this, We always try to get there early. One reason We do this is so that we can check out the lighting inside and out of the venue. This, however, affords us the opportunity to photograph the venue and perhaps some of the decorations, flower arrangements, and the like before the visitors arrive.
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Naturally, we are often asked to document the preparations of the bride, groom, or both. It may be difficult to get there early enough to obtain such detailed images if this is at a hotel or some other location far from the event. If that's the case, don't worry; there will be plenty of other chances. Throughout the day, keep an eye out for interesting details to picture, and if possible, sneak a few minutes when you can. Most people don't want their picture taken while they're eating, so that's when We like to sneak out for a stroll around the building's exterior and snap some extra images there.
Shooting Wedding Day Details Tips
Everything from the bride's shoes to the groom's ring to the bride's gown is a carefully selected part of the wedding's overall story. When You arrive at a wedding, one of my first tasks is to photograph the details, which also happens to be one of my favourite aspects of the day. It feels like the quiet before the storm, but only somewhat. When do you plan on jumping in? My plan for getting everything done is as follows.
Educate your bride.
This might be the most crucial tip We can give you, honestly. Preparing the client in the days leading up to a wedding ensures that will have everything we need to perform a good job on the big day. Then tell them we be there unexpectedly and that need all of their information (We give a list of what we need) in one location. And since my brides are like me and they LOVE details, they are more than eager to do what it takes to have amazing images.
The wedding day is not the time to collect information from a wide variety of sources. If planning is left to the day of, details will be neglected. Most brides also send us a hard copy of the invitation to the wedding via snail mail. In this way, We may bring the appropriate ribbons for styling their wedding in accordance with the wedding's colour scheme, which we get to view in person.
Find the best light.
Once We have all the information, this will be my first focus. In spite of the availability of interesting backdrops, proper illumination is essential. We prefer to work in either natural light from an open window or open shade. Flash or video light will do in a pinch, but You try to avoid using them.
Find a good background.
Usually try to find neutral backgrounds, such as simple fabrics or furnishings, that will work with the intricacies of the day. When in the bridal salon, We make do with whatever is lying around; when we not, Simply use a style board. Because out of other options, we use a styling board, which is a stretched canvas wrapped in cloth. Because of this, They can be careful about the lighting in my shots without compromising the integrity of the background.
Work large to small.
We begin by arranging the full set of stationary in a vertical and horizontal layout before making any cuts. Any other permutations involving numerous items will also be documented in photographs at this point. You can now get the most in-depth shots out of the way first. After that, We focus on the smallest of details, such the rings and shoes.
Wedding Details Shot List: The Must-Haves
Having a detailed shot list of the wedding's special details is a tremendous assistance. Here is a list of the most important photo categories to include, in roughly the order they occurred on the wedding day.
Shoes and Accessories
The shoes and accessories should be photographed as soon as you arrive at the location where the bride or groom is getting ready. Indeed, the happy couple. Many males will get brand new footwear just for this event. A good picture of their shoes in excellent condition (with the logo imprinted box if they're an expensive brand or make) is always appreciated, even if you believe they wouldn't be interested.
It's a no-brainer for the bride. Combine the bridal jewellery, the garter, and the presents the groom has presented into one photo.
Anything with a large enough aperture to blur the background would work well. This maintains focus on the footwear.
A wide aperture lens is ideal for this, but you can also just shine a light on the shoes to get the highlights. This causes the rest of the screen to go black.
Nothing special is required when lighting wedding details in this way. A desk lamp, aimed at the paper, will do the trick.
However, there is an excellent opportunity to use an off-camera flash (even a low-cost Yongnuo YN560-III and trigger) to improve your photos.
Flowers
Let's pretend you're filming the bride getting ready in the morning (which you really should be if you can). You can count on the florist to drop over the bouquets and buttonholes just before you leave for the ceremony location.
There are two reasons why you should hurry to get your hands on these:
- First, it only takes a little bit of handling for the stems, petals, and other foliage to shatter or fall off. While it's true that wayward stalks may usually be reattached after the fact, it's best to aim for immaculate condition when taking the shot.
- Second, when photographing the wedding's minute elements first thing in the morning, it's easy to lose track of time.
Taking pictures of the bride's hair and makeup will complete the wedding day look. A few humorous photographs of the bride and her attendants, posing as though they are assisting the bride with the wedding gown and accessories, etc.
The bride's car will arrive soon, and you'll want to photograph that as well. Therefore, you should always take pictures of the flowers as soon as possible.
Take pictures of the blooms on a white or other nondescript background. It's best if they're standing on end (this will depend on the bouquet, though).
Lighting the shoes similarly with angled, off-camera light or with diffuse natural light from a window just out of frame will bring the image to life.
In the future, you'll need to shoot the buttonholes of the men's shirts while they're still wearing them. Do not feel obligated to add any human faces.
A wedding simply wouldn't be complete without flower arrangements. These are likely the most time-consuming and financially taxing arrangements the couple will make. Photos are a great way to commemorate the big day and make for a more colourful photo album down the road.
Wedding Photographer Pro Tip
Wrap the bouquet in a business card, compliment slip, or floral branding from the florist. After the couple gets their pictures, give them these. You should take pictures of the hair and make-up artist, the cake, the DJ, the Master of Ceremonies, the venue itself itself, and any other services provided by outside vendors wherever possible. It's a terrific approach to get to know your coworkers better. Furthermore, the vendors will feel more inclined to recommend your company to any potential new customers.
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Ceremony Details
It goes without saying that you'll want to snap some epic full-length photographs of the happy couple as they say their vows. However, you should also take a look around the ceremony site for any individualised touches the couple may have requested or included.
Consider imaginative touches like flower arrangements that coordinate with the bride's bouquet, sheet music for the pianist (because the happy pair is likely to have requested these songs themselves), or any other objects that show off the couple's interests and hobbies.
The couple would appreciate it if you show that you understand the significance of all these fine points.
It's highly likely that you can't use a flash during this time of day. With a wide-aperture lens, you can use the available light to expose your photo properly without having to increase the ISO.
Wedding Party
Taking pictures of the wedding party's details is a relatively easy undertaking. They are easy to catch if you merely roam around during the canapés that follow the ceremony.
Whether it's the bride's grandmother's hair brooch or the groomsmen's unusual cuff-links, you want to capture these special details, as well as the standout elements of the bridesmaids' and groomsmen's attire.
Rather than relying on a certain lens, capturing these wedding-day moments requires a keen eye for detail.
Spontaneous Intimate Moments
As the name implies, these instances might occur whenever the mood strikes. Much with taking good photos of the wedding party's little details, this requires good eyesight.
Images like this may include the bride giving her parents a little, meaningful present before the ceremony, or it could show the bride's grandfather looking lovingly at his granddaughter's ring after the ceremony. Or it might be as simple as the groom supporting the bride's clothing so that her wedding ring is visible as she comes down the aisle.
Again, this has less to do with the lens you use and more to do with anticipating when something like this would occur. Simply put, you can use whichever lens you have handy.
Reception Room
This is the most urgent of all the wedding-details images to get. Timing is everything, so make sure you account for when the venue staff is wrapping up setup and when guests are beginning to trickle in and start making their way about.
There will likely be a window of opportunity during the canapés served following the ceremony or soon after your arrival at the reception site, both of which are good times to slip away and have some alone time.
The space itself is only one of several wedding detail images. It was probably here that the bride and groom put in the most work decorating.
Keep an eye out for any one-of-a-kind keepsakes that might be displayed on the top or sweetheart table and snap a photo. Don't forget to prepare a location for the bride and groom (especially if using their names as Mr. and Mrs.).
Capture the top table from afar, as well. All or nearly all of the table settings, place cards (or interesting artefacts used in place of place cards), wedding favours, and floral arrangements and centre pieces should be photographed.
Take a picture of each table, including the table name if it was personalised, the cake, and the entire room from at least two different vantage points.
Having everything shot from smallest to largest makes it less noticeable if an unexpected visitor comes in and rearranges the table. It's considerably more likely to be seen in a close-up of the table than in a wide image of the entire room.
As for how long it will take you to fire using this method, I wouldn't expect any more than five minutes.
In this case, you can pick between two different lenses. For close-ups and center-table shots, think about choosing a 35mm or 50mm prime lens. The purpose of this is, once again, to increase resolution and clarity while using a large aperture.
Depending on the size of the room, focal lengths between 16mm and 24mm will work nicely for wide photos.
Keep in mind that the aperture size is less important in wide-angle photographs because the entire scene will be in focus.
Rings
These photographs are, without a doubt, the most crucial of all wedding details photographs.
Photographing wedding rings is best done during the dinner portion of the event. The time between when the guests sit down to dine and when the speeches begin is roughly one hour. As a courtesy to the guests, We suggest you refrain from opening fire now. Taking images of people when they are eating almost never turns out well. Not to mention the fact that it tends to make people uneasy at best and irritated at worst.
It's a great idea to use local ingredients whenever possible. Or, it could be something the couple has planned ahead of time for the ring photo shoot.
If you're camping in the woods, you might consider suspending them from a slender twig. If you're getting married in a large, stately mansion, you can utilise the wedding car as a photo booth backdrop.
This kind of attention to detail will help the happy couple relive their wedding day every time they look at their photographs. Keep your eyes peeled for scenery and props that can help you convey the location of your shoot.
Now is the time to let your imagination run wild. Effects can be greatly enhanced by using elements such as gelled flashes and paling water drops.
Nothing will stop you but your own creativity. If you can, try to shoot the rings while they are isolated in the box (es). Also, remember to record any engravings on the inside surfaces of the rings.
If the wedding rings or the box are very out of the ordinary, you may want to include more than five or six images. Taking pictures of the little things at a wedding: Collage of Ring Shots
In this case, a macro lens of roughly 100mm is ideal due to the complexity and size of most rings; however, a reversing call can be used to get very close focusing distances and therefore, improved clarity and detail.
The Venue and Location
Can you describe the day's weather? In what sort of setting did the event take place? In what city was the wedding held? Pictures taken from outside the site may provide light on these issues. Even more so if the wedding is taking place in a breathtaking natural environment, wide-angle landscape images that include the entire scene can be useful here. Do not, however, limit yourself to merely landscape shots. You should also use a regular or telephoto lens to capture some of the day's smaller moments.
Think about whether or if there are any interesting quirks or landmarks in the area that would make for good photographs. Keep in mind that if the wedding is in an unusual setting, you can often get some really funny shots.
Decorations
It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare the flowers that add beauty to a wedding and the album, and the same is true for the decorations. Handmade (and even handcrafted) additions are common and add a special touch to weddings and, by consequence, the album.
Other details
In addition to the big picture, there are countless minute things worth recording every day. Keeping one's senses sharp and one's self prepared is the key, as was just explained. With the advent of digital photography, it is now completely free to take additional images, so my advice would be to record as much of what you see and experience as possible. You can make the call on which photos to include in the album whenever you like. Just relax, keep your hand steady, and let your creativity shine through.
And finally, the cake!
The personality of the bride and groom can occasionally be reflected in the design of the cake. Since they play such an important role in the ceremony, they should never be overlooked when taking wedding photos. Remember that the cake may not arrive in its final form and may require assembly upon arrival at the site. Taking a picture of something while it's still in progress can sometimes yield more fascinating results.
Conclusion
Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list. In need of a Melbourne-based wedding photographer? Stop right there. Our boutique event planning company has prepared the definitive list of wedding photography services to help you make your decision.
With these crucial photographs under your belt in addition to all the other shots captured, you will aid the couple in keeping their memories of the day alive for years to come.
Here at Boutique Events Group, we have compiled an exclusive list of Melbourne Wedding Photographers to help capture your special day
Frequently Asked Questions About Weddings
Wedding Photography Tips
- Know your gear.
- Bring help.
- Prepare.
- Know who you're shooting.
- Be familiar with the locations.
- Make a shortlist.
- Be bold.
- Observe.
Fully Manual Mode
Shutter Priority Mode and Aperture Priority Mode have their downfalls, which is why it's best to shoot your wedding photography in Manual Mode. Manual Mode allows you to set each camera value, which leaves nothing up to chance.
In addition to your full invitation suite, items to consider having are copies of your other wedding day paper goods (menus, programs, place cards), your rings, ring boxes, ring dishes, wedding dress hanger, your jewellery, perfume, shoes, veil, bouquet, and welcome gifts for guests.
How to Take Wedding Photos – Best Wedding Photography Tips
- Take your time to visit the venue.
- Check your gear twice before heading to the event.
- Always prefer to have an assistant photographer.
- Know the couple well.
- Never miss out on the small details.
- Have backups ready.
- Take lessons on lighting.
Flash can seem cumbersome at a wedding. But it can be useful to fill in light during the midday sun, add light to an otherwise dark venue, and create interesting and fun images during the reception.