A Practical Guide to Wedding Photography

You should photograph the Groome getting ready first, as they usually only require 30 minutes to capture the neccessary shots. Get a few casual shots of the Groome getting ready, capture the cufflinks, tying the tie and some candid shots with the Groomesmen.

The bride getting ready can take an hour or more, as there is more to capture, including the dress, make up and hair being done. Not to mention the bride looking stunning when it is all done.

Some getting ready shot ideas:
* Bride's dress on the hanger or over a chair
* Close-up of bride's shoes
* Close-up of bride's bouquet
* Bride in curlers or having makeup applied
* Bridesmaids applying their makeup
* Bride putting on garter
* Mom and/or bridesmaids helping the bride arrange her dress, bustle the train, etc.
* Close-up of dress details
* Bride together with bridesmaids
* Bride hugging mom
* Flower girl(s) ready to go
* Mom or bridesmaids putting finishing touches on bride, adding the veil, etc.
* Bride spending moment alone, thinking quietly, praying or looking out the window
* Full-length shot of bride all dressed and ready to go
* Groom putting on tie
* Groom with groomsmen
* Ring bearer ready to go
* Groom with dad, hugging or whispering advice
* Bride and groom separately getting in the car, limo or cab

The Bridesmaids should arrive first, take one full length and one three-quarter length of them, and one portrait of the Maid/Chief Bridesmaid alone.

When the Bridal car arrives, ask Bride and Father to remain seated, you should compliment her at this point, it will help her relax. Take a flash shot from inside the car then ask Father to step outside the car and take his daughter's hand as if helping her out of car.

Take another shot of Bride and Father standing outside the car, and then approaching the church entrance.

A shot of Bride and Father with Bridesmaids in the church doorway could also be taken. You should also take one of the Bride and her Father at the church entrance.

Leave the front of the church and take up position to shoot the Bridal party arriving at the top of the aisle.

Some arrival shot ideas:
* Groom at the ceremony site, looking out the window, waiting for the bride to arrive
* Car arriving with bride
* Bride stepping out of the car
* Wide shot of ceremony space from the back
* Guests arriving
* Ushers helping grandparents and special guests to their seats
* Front and back shots of flower girl/ring bearer walking down the aisle
* Close up of details (guest book, pew decorations, etc.)
* Groom and groomsmen waiting nervously for bride to walk down aisle

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.

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.

Ceremony shot ideas:
* Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
* Wedding party standing at the altar
* Bride just before walking down the aisle
* Back shot of bride (and escort) beginning to walk down the aisle
* Full-frontal shot of bride (and escort) walking down the aisle
* Close-up of groom's face when he sees bride for the first time (this can be done earlier, if photos are done before the ceremony)
* Back shot of bride and groom together at the altar with officiant between them
* Shot focusing on bridesmaids' bouquets, lined up as they hold them at the altar
* Close-up of each hand as the rings are exchanged
* Close-up of bride's face, as seen over the groom's shoulder
* Close-up of groom's face, as seen over the bride's shoulder
* Shot of both sets of parents' faces as they witness ceremony
* The kiss
* Happy couple walking back down the aisle together, as married couple
* Guests getting ready to shower the couple with well wishes (and bubbles, birdseed, etc.) as they leave
* Bride and groom walking out of ceremony space, hand-in-hand

Pose the Couple, turn their bodies inward toward each other and ask them to lean their heads toward each other too. 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.

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 looking so smart.

Next, you should take the Bride with her Bridesmaids; take at least two or three shots varying the pose each time. Get them in close to each other, show their affection for each other.

Some shots of the Bride and Groom with their Bridesmaids and Best Man should now be taken. You could also take the Bridesmaids alone.

Location Shot ideas:
* Full shot of bride and groom together, smiling
* Full shot of bride and groom hugging
* Full shot of bride and groom kissing
* Bride being lifted or carried by groom or sitting on groom's lap
* Close-up of couples' faces as bride is lifted, carried or sitting on groom's lap
* Bride with her parents
* Groom with his parents
* Bride with groom's parents
* Groom with bride's parents
* Bride with bridesmaids
* Groom with groomsmen
* Bride with groomsmen
* Group shot of bride, groom, family and wedding party
* Groom leaning up against a wall with bride in front of him, kissing
* Bride and groom walking toward the camera, holding hands
* Bride and groom walking away from camera, holding hands
* Bride and groom looking off in the same direction together

You should start with the biggest groups and reduce it for subsequent shots, this way people do not have the chance to wander off.

Try to photograph each table soon after they are seated, this is a good time to get everyone while they are still at the table.

Reception shot ideas:
* Close-up of details (place settings, name cards, etc.)
* Close-up of centerpieces
* Wide shot of entire room before everyone arrives, even better if taken from above
* Any special moments during the receiving line process
* Bride showing her new ring to the guests
* Bride and groom hugging guests, close-ups of faces
* Best man (or other guests) making a toast to the couple
* Bride and groom's faces as they listen to the toast(s)
* Guests smiling and clapping
* Guests dancing and cutting loose on the dance floor.
* Wide shot of entire room after guests arrive, even better if taken from above
* Close-ups of guests' faces, laughing and having a great time - lots of these

Always pose the shot of the first dance. The dancing shot must always be three-quarter length. Bride and Groom cheek to cheek, heads turned toward camera is good.

Then some candid shots as the couple dance and look at each other lovingly, whisper or share a laugh.

First dance shot ideas:
* Bride and groom's first dance
* Groom dipping bride
* Bride dancing with her dad -- close-up of her face as seen over his shoulder
* Groom dancing with his mom

Keep the Bride to the forefront of this shot; this will display her dress to full effect. Ask the groom to hold the knife and to place the Brides hand over his; now take one full length and one three-quarter length.

Cutting of the Cake shot ideas:
* Close up of the cake
* Bride and groom cutting the cake
* Bride and groom feeding each other

Pay particular attention throughout the day to the Brides appearance. She is the most important person in your photographs. Before firing the shutter always check that she is looking her best.

Pay specific attention to the stance of the Bride. She should be posed by asking her to stand at a slight angle to the camera. The foot nearest to the camera should be extended forward three or four inches towards the camera with the knee slightly bent. Now ask her to transfer her weight to the foot farthest away from the camera.

Her head should be turned towards the camera and tilted slightly. Avoid straight limbs, for example arms and wrists should always suggest a gentle curving, almost flowing movement.

When photographing the bride and groom together, or the bride with any male, angle the shoulders so that the male is wider to the camera than the bride. The last thing you want to do is make the bride look bigger than the groom.

Viva Wedding Photographers Perth
When you entrust a Viva wedding photographer for your wedding day, you can be assured that you will have a true professional who will provide you with beautiful, creative imagery that you will cherish for years to come.