How To Capture Brides And Grooms In Motion

Photographing Brides & Grooms In Motion: Inspiration From ShootDotEdit Customers

Author: ShootDotEdit

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Whether you want to freeze action or capture a motion blur – photographing brides and grooms in motion could help make your wedding photographs stand out. Not only does it help you break the monotony of the traditional photography styles and static images but it also allows you to photograph some moments in their true elements – as they happen. And, you can use your camera to capture motion in different ways and from different perspectives to add that hint of drama in your wedding photography. Wondering how to make that happen? In this blog, we give you a few tips on photographing couples in motion and also feature some of the most stunning images of brides and grooms in motion taken by some of ShootDotEdit’s customers. Follow through for more inspiration.

Capturing Brides And Grooms In Motion: Inspiration From ShootDotEdit Customers

Take a look at the most iconic wedding photographs taken by some of ShootDotEdit customers. These surely make for wedding photo goals!

1. Brandi Allyse Photo

A collage of two pictures displaying a groom swaying the bride as he picks her up — Image Courtesy: ShootDotEdit Customer @brandiallysephoto

2. Infinite Loop Photography

A bride and groom walking down the aisle hand in hand — Image Courtesy: ShootDotEdit Customer @infiniteloopphoto

3. Robb McCormick Photography

A bride and groom dancing on the dance floor — Image Courtesy: ShootDotEdit Customer @robbmccormickphotography

4. Trevor Hooper Photography

A bride and groom in motion as they walk down the aisle during snowfall — Image Courtesy: ShootDotEdit Customer @trevorhooperphoto

Tips To Capture Couples In Motion

Feeling inspired enough? Want to create similar images for your couples? Here are some tips that could help you perfect the style.

1. Walking Down The Aisle

Call it a cliché, but some poses and shots never get dated. Capturing the bride and groom walking down the aisle after the wedding ceremony is one such moment. However, to capture this with perfection, you could guide your couple in advance to walk a few steps and then toward the end, they could take a pause and either look at you or stop for a moment and maybe kiss each other. You could also suggest the bride to simply lift the bridal bouquet in one hand as she walks hand-in-hand with her groom. Such photographs could help you bring out the beautiful chemistry your couple shares and create some gorgeous shots too. Note that in such shots, the guests standing on both sides of the aisle often make for natural frames.

2. On The Dance Floor

The dance floor is where a lot of action happens, and this could be your ideal spot to capture those cool or amusing moves! And one of the most beautiful ways to capture your bride and groom in motion could be during their first dance and even when the dance floor is open to all. The first dances, whether with the parents or the partners, could offer you the perfect opportunities to bring the fluidity of your subjects in motion into the photographs you take. The idea is that your images exude the electrifying energy of the dance floor. So how do you ensure that you don’t miss a beat, quite literally? For starters, we suggest you keep an eye on the scene, incorporating unique angles and perspectives whenever possible. And never be hesitant to get closer to your subjects on the dance floor. This way, you could be in tune with the smallest of actions and the minutest of expressions even when your couple is busy setting the dance floor on fire.

3. Jump Shots

A bride and groom trying a jump shot — Image Courtesy: ShootDotEdit Customer @iqphoto

Your couple just got married? So why not ask them to celebrate and jump in joy maybe – and do the jump shot! Jump shots might not always go as planned, but they are always fun to try and get the couple to have a good laugh for real. Thus, making for funny and adorable photographs. And for you to capture that perfect jump shot, you have to ask your couple to jump, yes! But there are also multiple factors that could help get a great jump shot. And we have a list that could help:

Look for a unique background, colorful graffiti, a vintage-themed building, or just the sunset sky – anything that adds to your image.
Place your camera at a lower position, all the while setting it at an upward angle. This will help you frame your subject against the sky and give them a slightly elevated effect.
Ask your couples to tilt a little toward the camera while jumping. That way, you could be able to create an illusion – making your couple appear higher up in the air than they actually are.

Remember, the key to getting great jump shots not always lies in the perfection of a pose but often in the spontaneity of the moment captured. So keep perfecting the shot until the images wow you and your couples.

4. Let Your Couple Do The Twirl

The classic twirl is another way to capture brides and grooms in motion. And it almost always brings a smile to your couple’s face. There are plenty of ways you can experiment with this sequence. Maybe you could ask your bride to hold her dress and give it a swing as she walks or twirls. Your bride might be more than happy to showcase her beautiful gown! You could even try this when the bride is standing still. You could ask her to hold her dress from both sides or at one side and then give the dress a flick just as you give your bride a cue. If you are shooting with an assistant, you could ask them to hold the edge of the bride’s dress and give it a flick on cue. Or maybe you could ask the groom to give his bride a twirl or two so that you get to capture that beautiful swing of the bride’s dress as she sways along. Just like the jump shot, capturing a twirl also comes with its share of hits and misses. So the best way to perfect it would be to keep trying.

5. Walk Toward The Camera

The dynamics for capturing your couple as they walk toward the camera is similar to photographing them as they walk down the aisle. But during the couples portrait session, you might have a little more creative freedom as a photographer, and you could even include a few fun elements in the scene if you want. How about guiding the bride and groom to hold hands and slowly walk toward you? You could go ahead and experiment with this classic shot. Maybe ask your couple to look at each other for that romantic gaze, look away at the distance, or look straight into the camera. Also, you could try experimenting with props and frames to make the images more lively. And shots like these are even ideal for including those cute pets in the frame, if your couple wants to bring them along.

Further Read: Wedding Reception Shooting Tips: How To Photograph The Dances & Toasts

Infographic stating whether a twirl, a jump shot, or the first dance, the best action shots are those that look effortless and fun

A twirl, a jump shot, or shaking a leg on the dance floor, whichever way you want to capture your bride and groom in motion, remember that some of the best action shots are those that look effortless and fun. So while guiding your couple to pose or giving them a cue, don’t forget to tell them to have fun. After all, what’s the fun if your technically sound jump shot ends up showing a frown on your couple’s faces? And that is why, just let the smiles and the laughter fill up your images. Because if the feelings are genuine, the chances of your photos making a mark are that much more.

At ShootDotEdit, we love bringing you ideas that could help you hone your skills and help you stand out as a wedding photographer. We also strive to lessen your post-production workload by taking editing off your plate so that you focus on your art. Check out our pricing plans to learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business grow.

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