Summer is the height of wedding season. But you don’t have to be a professional photographer to take amazing shots of the bridal party. You might be the parent of the flower girl, a friend of the groom, or the date of a bridesmaid, regardless there’s no reason to leave your camera at home on such a special occasion.
Simply follow these tips and you’re sure to snap winning shots that can be keepsakes for the bride and groom (and you) on what will likely be a day to be remember for years to come:
MIND YOUR MANNERS
Believe me you won’t be the only one who shows up at the wedding with a camera. In fact, in most cases there is a horde of paparazzi waiting to get a shot of the happy couple. If the ceremony is taking place in a church be sure to respect the rules that might be in place regarding picture taking. There might be rules restricting photographs during certain moments of the ceremony. Respect the dignity of the event and location by refraining from taking flash pictures.
CANDID CAMERA
Most weddings include tons of people so be on the lookout for opportunities to capture candid shots: the bride wiping lipstick from the groom’s face; Aunt Patty straightening the ring bearer’s bow tie, the bride closing her eyes during a special prayer. The professional photographer will be taking loads of posed portraits, so think about how grateful the bride will be to receive a slew of candid shots from her big day.
LIGHTING
Take advantage of candlelight at the ceremony or the reception. Dim-light situations can make for very attractive shots. Whether you are shooting a silhouetted couple against a plain background or the flower girl staring into the tea lights that line the entry into a garden reception, make sure you turn your flash off and hold your camera steady so your images don’t come out blurry.
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