Wedding photos - tips on taking the best photographs

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Every couple wants that perfect wedding photo — the one that will hang on the wall of their marital home forever. Better still if you can produce an entire wedding album full of perfect photographs to remind you of your special day.

First and foremost, the photographs should be taken at the right time. It is no good trying to squeeze a series of family shots in between courses. Most people choose to have a formal photograph session prior to the start of the main reception. You should allow around an hour for this, even though it means that the bride and groom, who are present in nearly every photo, will have to forgo and hour of celebration. You will not regret it. It’s important that you achieve the right balance of moving quickly, but not rushing.

To assist you in getting your photos taken quickly and efficiently, you will need tip-top organisation. Particularly if you have large families, ushers will need to be on hand to collect uncles from the bar, and grandparents from a quiet sit-down. Others will need to herd them into the photography area, and keep them there until they are no longer needed for any shots. Believe us, it is easier said than done!

Selecting the area where the photographs are to be taken should be done with care and attention. People often forget that the background is very important in photographs, and can actually ruin an otherwise perfect image. For wedding photography, the ideal location is outside in a park, as trees and flowers make a picturesque backdrop. You should try to avoid a churchyard with headstones. It is prudent to also have a back-up plan in the event of rain. An indoor location needs to be fairly large to enable the group shots to be taken. Steer clear of gaudy decoration if possible. If you are unable to find the perfect location, don’t worry, but make sure that the majority of the photographs are close-ups, thereby cutting out as much of the background as possible.

Finally, posing is an important element in producing good wedding photos. There are three basic styles of posing, and it enhances the overall look of your album if you can include examples of all of them. Traditional posing is in the typical formal photographs, where any numbers of people look towards the camera and say ‘cheese’. More information about the day can be gleaned from illustrative poses, where the background information is also included — the church, the reception hall and so on. Unconventional poses can make the most interesting photographs. Often spontaneous, they could include anything from feeding the ducks to dancing barefoot on the tables!

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Wedding Photos