wedding ceremony perspectives

393 Comments / Photography Tutorial /
destination wedding photography by Alexis Rubenstein
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The ceremony can be the most nerve wracking part of a wedding day for a photographer.  Tons of pressure to capture every important moment in a short time frame, no control over lighting and placement of subjects, no do-overs, and of course despite all that, the images have to look beautiful and dreamy and effortless.

Luckily, many of you are like me and thrive on a challenge, so here are 3 key ideas to think about that will allow you to tackle any ceremony with confidence and ease!

1.  Anticipate moments

Find out as much as you can about the ceremony ahead of time; length, order of things, special or unusual additions.  Then, make sure you can get to the ceremony site early so you can really take a few minutes to survey the area and make a plan.  Put a lot of detail and thought into your plan.  Look at things like the length of the aisle (it’s short so I’ll use a wide angle for the processional), direction and quality of light (hmmm…it’s overcast, so I don’t need a polarizer and I’ll avoid shooting from the shady area), position of ceremony items (there’s no space for me to stand near the Kiddush cups, so I’ll make sure I have my telephoto ready for that moment).  Because of this careful preparation, you’ll be able to calmly and confidently be at the right place at the right time throughout the ceremony and you won’t miss a thing.  Make sure you are in the aisle for the kiss so you can also get their “I can’t believe we did it!” faces right afterwards.

anticipating moments during a wedding ceremony tutorial by Alexis Rubenstein

2.  Variety

Make sure you have both a wide angle lens and a telephoto lens and try to get shots of each event with both perspectives.  For example, a wide shot of the whole wedding during the ring exchange is nicely complimented by a close up of just their hands holding the rings.  If you have two cameras, you can put one lens on each and switch back and forth.  Move around as much as you can to get different angles and points of view…whole ceremony from the front, back, side as well as lots of tightly cropped details and faces.  Get really low for some dramatic shots.  Zoom way in and grab a shot of the groom’s tightly clutched vows or the flower girl’s shoes.  At each ceremony, make sure to get the shots you need and then allow yourself to experiment a little with new angles, ideas, or techniques.

wedding ceremony photography ideas by Alexis Rubenstein

3.  Reactions

It’s very easy to be caught up in the ceremony and focused on the bride and groom, not wanting to miss anything important.   However, some of the most emotional shots you can get are not the moments, but the reactions to the moments.  Don’t forget to turn around and get the groom’s reaction as the bride walks down the aisle, the parents’ tears  as they watch the vows, the loving look of the maid of honor as she beams at them,  even the bored ring bearer making silly faces.  These photos will mean so much to the couple when they see them later, because they only have eyes for each other during the ceremony and this will give them a chance to see it through the eyes of their loved ones as well.

wedding photography tutorial by Alexis Rubenstein

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Today, StickyAlbums is generously giving away a FREE IPAD MINI to one random reader!  How awesome is that?!  Simply comment on this post before next Friday December 28th at 12pm EST to enter to win.  We’ll be back here on Friday to update the article with the winner.  Good luck and please share with your friends on facebook, twitter, and pinterest so they have a chance too!

giveaway update!

Congratulations to the random winner Heidi G who commented with, “Another great article. :)”!  Heidi, I will email you with the details on claiming your awesome prize![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

About the Author
Latest Posts

Alexis Rebenstein

Alexis Rubenstein of Red Stone Photography currently lives and works on the Emerald Coast in Navarre, Florida. She loves to photograph families and kids, but her primary focus is weddings. She has been fortunate to photograph beautiful weddings in the U.S., Japan, Thailand, and Greece! She loves to mentor new photographers, and she spends her spare time traveling, cooking, running long distance, and hanging out with her 3 amazing kiddos.

See more from Alexis at www.redstonephotos.com.

Recent Posts by Alexis Rebenstein

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393 thoughts on “wedding ceremony perspectives”

  15. Rebekah Fountain

    Thank you for the insight on perspectives- so easy to feel overwhelmed the day of a client’s wedding when things are going as planned (i.e. appointments are taking longer than normal, car breaks down, etc.).

    Reply
  16. Nate

    Alexis hits the nail on the head. I have such respect for wedding photographers. I have been shooting families, babies, and seniors for over three years.

    I have been approached several times to shoot weddings, and I continue to turn it down. The more I learn about what is required to pull of an amazing Wedding Shoot – the more respect I have for it.

    The biggest difference between wedding photography and almost every other kind is you only get ONE chance to get it right. And its not just one thing, its a lot of little things, that you get ONE chance at. There are no redo’s.

    Personally I just think this requires a different level of expertise, and experience than what I have. Who knows maybe I will get the guts someday to second (or third) shoot.

    Good luck!! to everyone!!

    Reply
  21. Michelle S

    I love capturing the expressions on the guest and wedding party’s face that most people wouldn’t notice.

    Reply
  22. Mary

    Great article! I’m hoping to second shoot a wedding sometime in the next year so reading this was awesome! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  24. Beth Orey

    Great tips!! And I seriously love that shot of the groom as he sees his bride – just priceless :o) Thank you for sharing, Alexis, and thank you for the giveaway, StickyAlbums!

    Reply
  30. Debbie

    Yes, getting the reactions of those watching the bride and groom means so much~ thank you for these simple yet timeless reminders on the perfect wedding shoot.

    Reply
  33. Kim Peterson

    Thanks for the tips! I am not a wedding photographer, but I find your tips helpful and applicable even for such things as a birthday party/bonfire at the beach (which I attended last night, for example)- planning ahead, shoot from a variety of angles, get in close, zoom out… and your images are beautiful! 🙂

    Reply
  45. Carolyn

    Wonderful article and stunning images! I don’t shoot weddings but found that I can apply your information to other events that I shoot.
    Merry Christmas CM and Stickyalbums!

    Reply
  53. Hannah

    Great post, I wished our wedding photographer read this before our wedding earlier this year!! Of course I love our photos, but if I could do it over again I would!!

    Reply
  56. Holly Thompson

    I think Alexis’s advice is great for any type of photographic scenario, not just weddings. And what a wonderful giveaway! Thank you, Sticky Albums, for the opportunity!

    Reply
  58. Alana

    Thank you for the helpful and insightful tips! I am just trying to break into the wedding industry and with limited experience these ideas are priceless! Would love to read about the strategies photographers used to secure clients when just starting out.
    Also looking forward to trying out the Sticky Albums app – what a great idea! The 28th is a great day to draw the prize – it’s a day when fantastic people are born 😉

    Reply
  59. Kelly

    One of the biggest regrets I have that’s photography related is not paying for a professional on my wedding day. We have some decent shots but nothing that’s just wow worthy and only one that we’ve framed.

    Reply
  60. Sarah

    Great tips in the article.

    I LOVE Sticky Albums, by the way. I use it as a sales incentive and it promotes me too! I just wish I had a phone or iPad (iPad mini would be great 🙂 to show what it looks like – will help push more sales across the line!!

    Reply
  69. corinne m

    Gorgeous! I’ve never been interested in weddings, and this almost makes me want to shoot one! 🙂

    Reply
  70. msn

    Very cool and sound advice. Thanks for sharing! And thanks to Sticky Albums for the slick give away, too!! 🙂

    Reply
  71. Lesley

    I have TONS of respect for wedding photographers. I could never do it! Lots of great information.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  73. Sarah

    Great article, I especially love the tip to make sure to get people’s reactions…these are definitely some of my favourites from my own wedding.

    Reply
  74. Joanna

    Great tips! I’m nowhere near ready to attempt photographing a wedding but these tips were very helpful

    Reply
  86. Deborah M

    I love your ideas on capturing those special moments the bride and groom would otherwise miss. Beautiful images!

    Reply
  95. Heather

    Oh my goodness, I have so much respect for wedding photographers! I was asked to second shoot, and I said no!! I’m too scared to even do that!

    Reply
  111. Brenda

    Great Tips! I love the last idea of catching the faces of the bored ring bearer! I too want to get into wedding photography but nerves keep me from reaching for that dream!

    Reply
  112. Chris McHugh

    As someone who is trying to get into the photography world, with friends shooting weddings, I feel rather left behind. SO I seek advice anywhere, even at clicking moms despite my gender. Great article.

    Reply
  116. Melissa

    Beautiful and great tips! I have just dipped my toes into wedding photography and am really excited to jump in farther! Thanks for a generous giveaway opportunity!

    Reply
  118. Jen

    Having an iPad mini give away is an awesome idea and would make this girl have an awsome Christmas – or as my kids would say “swawesome”!!!

    Reply
  132. Caitlyn

    Good Tips I think a lot of them apply to just all photography in general but especially at weddings!! You definitely have to be brave to be a wedding photography!!

    Reply
  134. Esther Judd

    I love these tips! Thanks for sharing! And that first shot is amazing! Love Santorini, we honeymooned there ;). I would love to win an ipad mini.

    Reply
  135. Stephanie L

    I am just getting started as a “professional” and hoping to shoot a wedding soon. These tips are awesome to keep in mind for when I do.

    I had never heard of “sticky albums” before, and look forward to starting to use these!

    Reply
  141. Rachel Goerke

    Love the tips. Wish this had been written before I did my sisters beach wedding! At least I have the tips now 🙂 Thanks.

    Reply
  148. Jenny

    I am so scared to capture a wedding – still doing only portraits at this time. An iPad mini would be an awesome addition to my arsenal!

    Reply
  156. Crystelle Carrick

    These are wonderful tips and beautiful images. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win an iPad mini. It would relieve a big cost expense on my ever growing list of items I must have for my business.

    Reply
  162. sara revermann

    Great article, Great tips!! Just discovered Sticky Albums! Can’t wait to start using it!!

    Reply
  163. Michelle White

    Thank you for the tips. What a great reminder to have fun with it. Love the reaction shot!

    Reply
  167. Sherry Hamilton

    This is a great post. I do wedding photography and I’m looking forward to the spring of 2013. I have a few weddings scheduled starting with a wonderful outdoor wedding in April. I am always looking for creative tips and poses. I would love to win the iPad mini and thank you, StickyAlbums, for this fantastic give away. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Sherry Hamilton

      I apologize….I didn’t intend to upload this photo of myself. I thought it would show as my avatar.

      Reply
  168. Tammy Skipper (@Tammy_Skipper)

    I just got my first DSLR and have so much to learn, but recently told my friend who is a wedding photographer that I cannot imagine the pressure she must experience! I felt like I was ‘missing’ moments just through the holidays but these are helpful tips, thanks!

    Reply
  172. Kristin Horst

    It’s always good to “get back to the basics” and remember why we do what we do. We have 3 weddings booked for 2013 already. Thanks for the tips & hopeful iPad mini 🙂

    Reply
  173. jamie stephens

    Love this article and the amazing tips and oh how I would love to have an ipad mini!!! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  180. Mindy Newton

    Beautiful images and thank you for sharing the tips! Thank you Sticky Albums for the giveaway – I’ve love an iPad mini and chance to use Sticky Albums!

    Reply
  183. KimElayne Hamilton

    Can’t wait to sit down and really look over the sticky album, I’m very interested!

    Reply
  187. Audrey Boehme

    Thanks Sticky Albums! I could totally use an Ipad mini to show my portfolio instead of on my old cracked cell phone!! I’ve never used an apple product before!!

    Reply
  188. Toni

    These are great tips. I’m thinking about dusting off my camera and start taking pictures again. I will keep these in mind. Thanks!

    Reply
  204. Stephanie

    Made me think of our wedding ceremony photos. Our photographer caught my husbands look from over my shoulder. Always takes me back to that day.

    Reply
  205. Marianne McCay

    I have recently gotten a Canon Rebel Ts4.. looking forward to learning to use it and hopefully one day take pictures of events with it.. the IPAD mini would make a wonderful addition to my photography interest. Thanks for offering it.

    Reply
  208. Dianne

    I’m chomping at the bit for an iPad – would help my business, my homeschooling life, my mom life, and just about everything. 🙂

    Reply
  209. Amanda

    Thanks for the great tips! There is so much going on at a wedding it is easy to miss some of the not so obvious moments 🙂

    Reply
  214. Julia

    I have had the chance to photograph 2 weddings over the last 2 years as a guest and it’s an amazing thing to capture those special moments.

    Reply
  222. Daniele

    I hope to one day transition into Weddings so all of this information is very helpful. Thank you!!!

    Reply
  224. Erin B

    Thank you for the amazing photog advice. As a SAHM mom of 2 very young boys I just received a Nikon for Christmas…I cried…literally. On a fixed income I was overwhelmed by my DH generosity to capture memories of our ever growing little men. I am so excited to be able to join clickinmoms and now StickyAlbums.
    Thank you for the footprints on my new photography journey!

    Reply
  229. Victoria

    Great tips. I did a wedding over the summer for a distant cousin. It was a great learning experience. The only way to learn it is to do it!
    Nice give away. :0)

    Reply
  231. Danielle S.

    Great advice! The weddings I have done as a photography I have had trouble with because I never know where to be and what is most important to take photos of. Not forgetting to get the grooms reaction was something I am so glad I got. These are important factors to get photos for your client that will shine! 🙂 thanks so much!!

    Reply
  235. Tracey R

    Great info, thanks. My SIL gets married in 2013 so that’s given me new ideas. Would love to win this giveaway. Could take it to the UK to show the family my photo’s. Good luck everybody!

    Reply
  243. Katey B.

    Thanks so much for the awesome tips! Weddings can be so stressful for photographers! These tips help! 🙂

    Reply
  248. Emerald

    I have always wanted to photograph a wedding. I love the detail wedding dress shots and the reactions of the guest.

    Reply
  273. Nicole Brown

    Awesome… Variety is a huge one… you’d much rather have “too many” pictures than not enough!

    Reply
  277. RoGina

    I love getting reaction shots of people. You can feel the emotion of the moment if captured just right.

    Reply
  278. Ang Kettles

    So happy to stumble upon these helpful tips and thankyou for the chance to win an iPad mini 🙂

    Reply
  291. Brenda

    Awesome blog! Lots of helpful tips, even for non wedding events!!! Excited to learn more!!! Would love to have ipad mini for my personal photography use!!!!

    Reply
  304. Katie Thompson

    Reactions…some of my favorite photos of my wedding were of my parents and friends reactions during our vows. Great photos with wonderful color!

    Reply
  327. kayla

    Great article, watching the grooms as the brides enter is my favorite! I think many guests often miss that special moment. ♥ Thank you StickyAlbums for your generosity. Happy New Year.

    Reply
  330. Ashlee muscat

    Very good ideas and tips! Thanks so much for the giveaway!! Looking forward reading lots more tips from you!!

    Reply
  333. Leighann

    Beautiful pictures and great ideas! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading more articles. Thanks for sharing because I am just starting out.

    Reply
  334. Deneil

    Great advice my favorite is about remembering to get the reactions to the moments. It’s so true those photos mean so much!

    Reply
  338. Nicole M.

    Great Read. Sounds like a very interesting thing to try out for our clients. Thank you for the tips!

    Reply
  352. Faisal

    Loved the app idea. Would definitely try it. iPAD is the perfect device to display and show your photos off.

    Reply
  355. Sarah Strauss

    The wonderful world of apps and how it makes work so accessible; what a grand idea and great opportunity!

    Reply
  362. dini

    thanks for the stunning article and giveaway~ would love to win as got robbed last night and they took all my camera equipment and my ipad 🙁 fingers crossed!!

    Reply
  368. Elena

    Those are great tips. The app software is awesome too…people always have a phone or ipad/tablet with them to show off their photos!

    Reply
  374. Becky Z

    Great tips! Especially about capturing family and friends reactions too.
    Fingers crossed for the iPad mini!

    Reply
  392. wedding venues adelaide hills

    very nice wedding venue. It looks really fun too. This gives me a good idea of my own wedding few months from now.

    Reply

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