3 photo tips for your wedding day

On a wedding day (or at the engagement shoot) I often coach my couples and give them tips for feeling at ease in front of the camera so I can produce natural, beautiful images. For the most part I love to shoot unobtrusively on a wedding day so I try not to stop & 'pose' my couples during the proceedings of the day.

That being said there are a few photo moments that are worth considering before the big day arrives to ensure you get the candid photos you want.

THE FIRST KISS - I'm not saying you need to pull out a full minute worth of kissing (unless you want to!) but anything longer than one second is always good ;-) It's definitely a moment you want captured on your wedding day, but I do understand it can be uncomfortable getting your smooch on in front of all your guests, not to be mention being photographed too! Think of it this way; it's the very first kiss of your marriage so start as you mean to go on. There is no rush - it is your moment, so own it.

Some of my very favourite shots are actually the moment just before or just after the kiss!

SIGNING OF THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE - I urge my couples to take their time with this segment of the ceremony, there is no rush and it's the perfect moment for the two of you to have a quiet word with each other, share another kiss and be a little bit cute! I much prefer capturing these tender moments candidly, rather than the more posed 'smile at the camera as you pretend to sign' photos. If you do want this photo I suggest signing first, doing your thing then as you finish look up to the camera or at each other.

So to get these candid moments here's another tip; stay by each other's side. So many times I see one person sign and then step away for their partner's turn to sign. Stay side by side, pop your arms through his, lean on his shoulder, or talk. But just keep the connection between you both. A photography peer once told me something that makes this work even better; if you're sitting to sign your certificate, have two chairs so you can sit side by side the whole time!

CUTTING THE CAKE - Sometimes when we get to reception venues it seems that the cake table placement has been an after thought to the rest of the layout or has just been put in the corner out of the way. Which is important as you don't really want that masterpiece bumped off it's stand or in people's way as they're getting to their seats! But so often the corner it's put into is poorly lit and when the couple try to cut the cake they are squishing themselves in against the cake table & a wall/corner because there isn't much room. 

If you want beautiful photographs of your wedding cake and shots of the cutting of the cake, take the time to consider the placement of the cake table. Avoid putting it right in a corner where you won't be able to stand in beside/behind the table to cut your cake. 

My next Wedding Wednesday post is going to be about what to expect after booking me as your weddng photographer! And remember if you have any questions that you think I could answer in a Wedding Wednesday blog, I would love to hear them! xx