Detail shots are super important...
One of the most important things during a wedding day to knock out in the first hour or two is the detail or flat-lay shots. This includes the shot of the rings. In this case I was only able to get a hold of the engagement ring and the ring-bearer pillow. I took a couple of shots of the items of the bride during a limited window of time but I overall think they came out good. One thing that could have made this process a little better is to have a flat area to work with and more wedding centric items such as invitations, perfume, flowers, jewelry, etc.
Jakie's beautiful 14k gold engagement ring with a beautiful display of diamonds. Photo taken 2024
Starting the day with the Groom...
While the bride was still waiting to get ready I took some time to get shots with Emmanuel, the groom. My go to shots during this time are the get a closeup of the groom getting his jacket on because the action creates interesting framing. Depending on who you work with this can be a good time to also get a shot of the groom's suit which in the case of this wedding was immaculate. The thing about suits and dresses for weddings is that they are sometimes rented and can be exceptionally expensive. The couples spent a lot of money for these articles of clothing so its good to respect their hard work and capture what might be a temporary purchase.
Emmanuel getting ready for his wedding. Taken in 2024.
The Bride's almost ready...
Jakie was nearly ready with her makeup and preparations so I managed to get a couple of shots of her and the bridesmaids in their suite. The bridal suite happened to be in the top portion of the chapel overlooking the ceremony so it made for a good shot. The makeup artist was exceptional in her work so I made sure to really emphasize the shots on the bride's face to pay homage to the artist but also to the bride for being to beautiful on her big day. Some important photos to take during this time are wide, medium, and detail shots of the bride in her dress. In face this framework can work for just about any case and even in videography it can be useful.
Jakie getting finishing touches on her makeup while getting ready for her wedding. Taken in 2024.
Ceremony time!
The most important part to get right during any wedding is the ceremony. Messing this part up will ruin the entire day so it's important to really focus on the shots that the bride and groom want. The first part of a traditional ceremony is to have the guests gathered prior to the bridal party entering. I like to get pictures of some of the guests and family members around this point to document some of the people that attended the wedding. The next part of the ceremony is the bridal party along with the groom assembling at the arch. I like to get shots of each bridal party couple as they enter so that they can have their own moment in the spotlight. The main shot to get during this time is the bride and father walking down the isle together from the front and the back. After the entire bridal part is assembled all it takes is a simple wide, medium, and tight shot framework to get everything else. Then the next big moment to not miss is the kiss under the arch and the walking down the isle shot. It's all fairly simple but can sometimes be difficult based on the venue and if you have enough time or space to maneuver. It is also recommended that guests don't use their phones in the isle so that its possible to actually get the shot without distractions.
Emmanuel and Jakie during their wedding ceremony in Maryland. Taken 2024.
Dances and Toasts...
After the ceremony the rest of the night becomes very easy and less stressful. The reception and cocktail hour of every wedding is time for the bride and groom to relax and enjoy their company. The most important part of this to capture is the toasts and the dances. Usually a ballroom used for reception is going to be fairly dark and have a lot of mood-lighting. This is why it's important to really get lighting down prior to these events. I usually do this by having several flashes setup in positions in the room that won't show up in the frame during shooting. Once the lighting is good then the next step is applying the wide, medium, and tight framework again but with an emphasis on emotions. Most brides and grooms have never danced in a room full of people but usually only focus on one another while dancing. This is the perfect time to capture the emotions of love and laughter. The next big thing to capture is the toasts which can sometimes go on for a long time depending on who's giving the speech. The essential shots for this moment are the expressions on the bride's face and the raising of the champagne glasses. My favorite expression to catch is any kind of "happy crying" face proceeded by a wipe from a cloth as this is always such a beautiful moment.
Emmanuel & Jakie's first dance together at their wedding. Taken 2024.
Party time!
The rest of the night usually involves a lot of alcohol, dancing, and loud music so its the best time to get a couple of creative shots and document the night. I personally love to get shutter drag photos that capture motion during the dancing. They are often some of the most difficult shots to get right but when done right it can be a very beautiful photo. At some weddings there is usually a special exit of some type whether it be limo, sparkler, or torches. This exit event is usually the only important part to catch for the rest of the night until everyone goes home. Overall the beauty of the wedding event is to document the feel of the wedding in a way that allows the couple to go back to your photos and remember those moments that bound them in matrimony. Weddings are beautiful and so are the connections people make with one another. As a photographer it is of utmost importance to make sure that memories are made and not forgotten.
A night in Hongdae, Seoul of cold streets and neon lights. Taken in 2021.