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Wedding photography doesn’t just mean looking at a scene and pressing your camera buttons to capture the moment. It’s an art that involves skill, technique, lots of planning, and preparations. Since there are various important moments to capture for your couple on their wedding day, two of the things you, as a wedding photographer, need to be ready with are your shot list and the angles that you will be taking your shots from. The ceremony is one of the most integral parts of the wedding day. This is the time your couple would be saying their I dos, exchanging vows, and becoming partners for life, officially. This is the time when their loved ones could be present at the venue, blessing and celebrating them. And, thus, photographing the wedding ceremony in as many unique ways as possible is probably going to bring a big smile to your couple’s faces - and also provide you with some of the best photo opportunities. It could be a great chance for you to showcase the genuine emotions of everyone present and help you add to the overall story of your couple’s wedding day. So, what could be the must-have shots and the best wedding ceremony angles on your list? For your help, we’ve shared the top 7 of those angles here. 

MUST-HAVE WEDDING CEREMONY ANGLES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Depending on the location of the ceremony, certain challenges can arise. Whether it is outdoors or indoors, issues ranging from lighting to weather and more could crop up at any point during your photography session. When that happens, you might have to move around and find the best angles to take the most flattering images. Plus, taking images from multiple perspectives will also add variety to the photography experience you offer your clients.

Here at ShootDotEdit, we provide image editing services to professional wedding photographers (which means we see a ton of ceremony shots). Also, we connect with industry leaders to learn more about what is most challenging for the wedding shoot. To help you look for the best angles during every shoot, we’ve prepared a list of 7 must-have angles to capture during the wedding ceremony. Check them out!

1. SHOOT FROM THE FRONT

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @taylorkempphotography

The bride and groom have most likely invested a lot of time in deciding how they wanted their ceremony to look and feel. Before it starts, capture a shot of the ceremony site from the front. This will help you include the entire ceremony area and showcase all the details your bride and groom included as part of the setting. When the ceremony begins, stand at an angle that will include the bride and groom as they stand together, with their bridal party on their sides. This will require you to stand to face the front of the ceremony site, where you can capture these images for your couple.

2. MOVE BEHIND THE CEREMONY

Many ceremony locations have less than ideal lighting, which can be an issue for the images you want to take. This is especially true for outdoor ceremonies, where the light creates unflattering shadows on your couple’s faces (or the harsh light causes them to squint). When lighting is not ideal, switch angles too and move behind the ceremony. If the setup and situation allow you, stand behind the altar, where the sun may be less intrusive. This angle can include the couple, and may even feature who is marrying them (the officiant).

Related Read: Wedding Ceremony Photography Guide

3. STAND ABOVE THE CEREMONY

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @dannydong

If the ceremony location allows, shoot from a higher platform. This can be especially helpful when you are in a church or a location that has a balcony where you can stand and take photos. The higher angle gives you the chance to showcase the stunning design of the location, especially indoors. When you shoot outdoors, look for an elevated area (somewhere that is not in the way of the ceremony). You can document the ceremony site, the couple, their guests, and everyone else involved, providing your couple with a unique perspective of their wedding ceremony through your photos.

4. SHOOT FROM THE SIDE

During the ceremony, there are certain angles where you must stand to the side to shoot. It showcases different parts of the ceremony location, as well as the guests. It can also be helpful when there is difficult lighting while your couple and the bridal party walk down the aisle. Another way to shoot from a side angle is to stand on one side of the ceremony site and capture the groom with his groomsmen behind him. Then, switch sides to capture the bride flanked by her bridesmaids.

5. CAPTURE A LOWER ANGLE

One way to shoot unique images during the ceremony is to capture them from a lower angle. You can shoot from the end of the aisle while the couple stands at the altar. This would give the ceremony photos a unique look and help you capture details from that angle. Also, when you shoot from a lower angle outdoors, you’d be able to eliminate any harsh shadows that fall on your couple as they stand at the altar.

6. STAND AT THE AISLE END

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @jorgesantiagophoto

As the bridal party and bride walk down the aisle, take the opportunity to capture this moment from various angles. While your second shooter captures them exiting the limo or building, you can be at the front of the aisle as they walk toward you. When the ceremony concludes, switch angles and move to the opposite end as the bride, groom, and bridal party exit to the reception.

Related Read: 35 Must-Have Bridal Party Photos

7. DOCUMENT THE COUPLE’S PERSPECTIVE

When they are at the altar, the bride and groom are focused on one another. They are also facing each other, which means you should switch angles to capture their expressions. Start with the groom and shoot over his shoulder to capture the bride’s emotions and expressions during the ceremony. Then, shoot over the bride’s shoulders for the groom’s reactions. This will not only help you add variety and interest to the angles and photos you take, but you’ll also get to showcase how the bride and groom were feeling at that time.

Further Read: Ceremony Photos Inspiration By ShootDotEdit Customers

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @trevorhooperphoto

Switching angles and giving the ceremony images a different perspective is important. When you switch angles as you shoot your couple’s wedding ceremony, you have the opportunity to deliver images that cover every moment that was important for your couple at that time and will remain so forever. You also get to add more visual appeal to the photos and showcase your skills in a way that every viewer is left impressed. The result? Your couples and their family, as well as their friends, could become your raving fans. Or at the least, they will have you top of their minds whenever a need for similar photography services arises around them. Excited already? Want to be armed with more tips and tricks to polish your skills and market your wedding photography business? Take a look at our blog section and increase your knowledge pool.