Wedding Portrait Photography
Wedding portrait photography can be very rewarding - it is an opportunity to create an image that really says something and will give a lifetime of memories.
The first rule of good wedding portrait photography is to LOOK at your subjects.
This sounds obvious but take a browse through some wedding photographs and you will see that most of them have a sameness about them.
Each person has some unique quality that deserves photographing. It doesn’t have to be perfect skin, a remodeled nose, pouting mouth, stunning eyes. There should be some aspect or quality to the person that conveys his or her individuality best.
Sound challenging? It isn’t if you follow some basic techniques of wedding portrait photography:
Do Not Use a Flash Directly at the Subject.
Flash is light at its most boring. Very rarely it can really raise an image into stunning life, but usually the use of available light is superior. A flash firing removes any relaxed atmosphere you may have built up with your subject and gives the shot a bland look.
Use a Telephoto Lens. 105-135mm is best.
Wide angle is a big no-no.
Use Vertical Compostion.
Tilt the camera to one side. Wedding protrait photography generally encompasses the head and upper body and often includes the hands. Portraits almost always look best when taken vertically. Horizontal framing can leave you with wide open spaces either side of the subject that can detract from the feel of the shot.
Try to use the available light to good effect.
Try to place your subject(s) in a position where there is soft light coming mainly from one direction. This can give a moody feel and usually gets the eyes more attention. You can use a reflector on the shadowed side to ‘bounce the light’ if the contrast between highlight and shadow is too strong. A simple reflector can be made by covering a sheet of cardboard with aluminum foil.
Pick the Person’s ‘best side’.
People really do have one. Get one shoulder turned towards the camera so one side is favored a little. Test the pose another way and try to figure out which way is the best.
Allow the Person to be Seated.
This helps put them at ease by having somewhere to 'be' and assists you in being able to direct them more easily. Give your subject(s) directions.
In wedding portrait photography, you’re dealing with minor movements and shifts of position and angle. Try to get the shot from slightly above the subject to open up the eyes. Lower the shoulder closest to the camera, get the head straight or at an engaging angle. Lower the chin a little.
Some people don't look their best when they smile and some do. You may get more interesting expressions and nuances without a smile. Ask your subject to think about something they like. This will bring up subtle lights in the eyes and shifts in the mouth lines.
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If you’re shooting candid portraits the same tips apply but in these shots you have to move around to get the best angle. We hope these tips and techniques will help with your wedding portrait photography.
