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Chances
are that you will be attending a wedding or two sometime soon. And, chances are,
you'll be bringing your camera to the wedding along with a gift or two for the
happy couple. Here are some tips from the pros at the New York Institute of
Photography, the world's largest photography school, to help you take great
pictures of this memorable occasion.
While most couples hire a professional
photographer to photograph the ceremony and reception, there's still plenty of
room for you to also capture this occasion on film. Not only will you have a
record of the wedding for your own pleasure, but imagine the joy of the happy
couple to receive prints of events that the professional photographer did not
see or wasn't asked to cover.
For instance, many wedding photographers no
longer shoot those "table shots" of the guests because these photos
don't usually get purchased by the bride and groom. This is the perfect
opportunity for you. But shoot these like a pro: Have some of the people at your
table stand up and move behind those still seated and take a group shot. Avoid
showing the entire table complete with half-eaten food, instead concentrate on
the faces of the guests.
Another photo opportunity exists at your table.
Many bridal receptions now include disposable "single use" cameras at
every table. You may need to get the show rolling and coax your table mates to
start taking pictures. Remember, the bride and groom can't be at every table to
take part in the festivities so candid photos from these cameras can show the
guests having fun in a way that professional photographers aren't likely to
capture.
A couple of hints on wedding photography
etiquette. If you want to take photos at a church, synagogue, mosque or chapel,
take your cues from the professional photographer hired by the bridal couple. If
you see that he or she is not taking photos at the ceremony, chances are it is
because the clergy told that photographer not to do so. Respect the tradition
and don't take pictures. The same thing holds true for flash photography. Some
places of worship will allow it at the ceremony, others will not. If you see
that the pro is shooting, then take an aisle seat. It's the best place to get
nice close shots of the couple that fill the frame as they leave the church.
One other suggestion on wedding photography is to
be respectful of the professional photographer. Don't get in that individual's
way. You don't want to ruin the photos that the bride and groom are paying the
pro to take, and the pro can do a better job of capturing many parts of the
event than you can. As we've indicated, there are plenty of different kinds of
shots for you too.
Photo Tips For You
To Offer Your Wedding Guests
We
thought it might be a good idea to take the dean's email one step further. With
more and more "wedding cameras" showing up at weddings and receptions
a bride and groom should be able to easily ask friends and family to take some
of these candid shots the article mentions.
Take the time to clear this with the photographer
you are going to hire - and try to bring this up early BEFORE you have hired the
photographer and you are then told that "it wouldn't be such a good
idea".
As long as you have an understanding with your
photographer and as long as you make sure your friends and family are given a
copy of the New York Institute of Photography's article to have a better
understanding of their potential role and the necessary photo etiquette that you
wish to have followed - you should have a ball - and - you are likely to get
some outstanding shots that you otherwise would have missed.
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