Dos And Don'ts Of Positioning Yourself To Get The Shot

8 October 2018
 Categories: , Blog

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Wedding photographers must walk a fine line between getting in position to capture the shots that they need and taking care to avoid disrupting the wedding ceremony or reception. The best photographers know how to effectively bridge this gap, but this can be a bit of a challenge for those who are newer to this endeavor. If you're a novice wedding photographer, here are some dos and don'ts for positioning yourself for photos. 

Do: Figure Out The Path That You'll Take In Advance

Much of being successful in positioning yourself to shoot wedding photos involves figuring out the path that you'll take to get from one spot to another. Wedding photographers are constantly moving around between shots, so when you get established in one area, you should start to think about where you'll be next. For example, if the bride and groom will be moving across the front of the church, you should think about where you'll set up and how you'll get there.

Don't: Cut Between People Of Importance

It's OK, once in a while, to move between the couple and the people in attendance. However, you should make a commitment to never cut between two people or groups of people who have prominent roles. For example, it's impolite to dash between the bride and the maid of humor, or the couple and the officiant.

Do: Keep Low

Keeping low is a good strategy for when you have to move from one spot to another. Instead of standing up fully, which can catch the eye of the people participating in the wedding, you can be more discreet by moving while crouched. This is important, but you should also identify the times that you can move without crouching. For example, if everyone is looking in one direction, you can stand up to move across the back of the room. This allows you to get from one spot to another quicker, but without being disruptive.

Don't: Get Too Close

There's value in getting as close as you need to get the shot, but remember that you can zoom in with your camera to negate any space between you and your subjects. You don't want to be so close that you obstruct peoples' view of the ceremony or, worse, that someone actually trips over you. By being mindful of your position at all times, you'll get in the habit of being able to take the right shots without interfering with the wedding.