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Wedding photography
Vary the look of wedding photos
Try hard to vary the "look" of your wedding photos. Avoid lining everyone up in straight lines and shooting from the same position. Use the pews of the church to sit some people while others stand directly behind them.
Have your subjects turn slightly in towards the middle person instead of everyone facing straight toward the camera.
If it is a daytime wedding take your subjects outside and use the "fill flash" feature on your digital camera. Avoid having the sun directly in the eyes of people, squints don't photograph well.
Again, watch what is behind your subject. Many an otherwise good picture is ruined by having things "grow" out of a brides head such as utility poles and wires. Try to find a quiet spot with a bench if possible. Don't forget the bouquets of the bride and attendants, they always make a colorful accent and are expected to be seen in most photos.
If the reception is held in the same building as where the wedding took place, steal away and take a few shots of the cake and decorations before the guests arrive.
Photographing the wedding reception
White wedding cakes are very hard to photograph with a built in flash unit or for that matter any direct flash. Most pros either bounce their flash off the ceiling or detach it from the camera and hold it off to one side. If there is sufficient light and you have a tripod this would be an ideal time to use it.
During the reception is a great time for you to take candid photos so keep your camera handy and your eyes open for possibilities.
One of the last things done at most weddings is the throwing of the bouquet by the bride. This is almost always done by throwing it over the shoulder so get in position and as soon as the brides hand comes up take the picture. Most digital cameras in the prosumer group have a certain amount of shutter lag, the time between when the button is pressed and the shutter fires, so plan for that.
Weddings are joyous occasions so try to capture that in your pictures. The bride and groom will thank you for it!
