Aside from the actual “I do’s,” a couple’s first dance might just be the most important moment in their wedding. They finally have a romantic, intimate minute to themselves during an otherwise chaotic day, and a photographer’s job is to capture the nuances of this intimacy and create a picture that can be treasured for years to come. Award-winning wedding photographer Susan Stripling shares tips on how to take beautiful photos of this important milestone.
1. Get A “Safe Shot”
You might not know the length of the couple’s dance ahead of time, so it’s good to establish a few safe shots –– just in case the dance is over in the blink of an eye. Use an off-camera flash as the main source of light (your assistant can hold it for you), stand as close to it as possible, and shoot directly into the scene to get a picture of the bride’s reaction. She’s the star of the show, so having a great image of her looking into her husband’s eyes is key. If you’re in a small room, your best bet might be close up shots –– but if you have space to move around, vertical shots can also look beautiful. Just try not to get any hovering guests in the background!
2. Move Around The Room
Now that you’ve established a safe shot using the flash as your main source of light, you can move around the room. Take a few pictures (keeping your camera and flash settings the same) while your assistant stays in one spot and holds the light behind the happy couple. You’ll have to be patient as you wait for them to spin towards you in order for the light to catch their faces, and feel free to raise your shutter speed to avoid motion blur if they’re moving too quickly. You never know when the bride and groom might break out into a two-step!
3. Drop Your Flash
Ask your assistant to compact her flash and drop to the ground –– staying in one spot (by the speakers or on the far corner of the dance floor is a safe bet). Your job is to move around the room as the couple spin and turn, this time waiting for them to be facing each other with the light behind them. You’ll end up with a nice rim of light behind their faces, which makes for a beautiful first dance shot. Again, you can keep your camera and flash settings the same!
Whether you’re shooting at a small, intimate venue, or at The Four Seasons, following these steps will guarantee that you’ll end up with at least a handful of gorgeous images of the happy couple’s first dance.
