Photogenic Moments
A church ceremony or blessing can be one of the most photogenic parts of a wedding day. For that 60-90 minutes there are so many great photographs to be taken in what is usually a beautiful backdrop.
These include:
- The look on the groom’s face as the first notes of the bride’s entrance music are played by the organist
- The nervousness of the bride as she walks in on the arm of her proud father
- The smile the couple give each other as there eyes meet at the alter
- The vows and exchange of rings
- And of course the recessional as the newlyweds walk back down the aisle passing friends and family
If these are the moments you would like captured at your wedding then it is important that you communicate with the clergy at your church to find out what restrictions they place on professional wedding photographers.
Restrictions
I have photographed many different types of religious wedding ceremonies including Sikh, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Roman Catholic and Church of England. Most will allow some level of wedding photography although occasionally I’ve come across a total restriction of anything inside the church (both times this happened it was a C of E wedding ceremony). I always ask my couples to find out about any restrictions beforehand rather than just assuming all is well. Sometimes, addressing the fears of the Priest or Minister in advance can make a big difference.
What’s the Problem?
Because I use professional level cameras that produce fantastic results in low light I never use flash, one of the vicar’s usual bugbears. More often than not, the flashing and bleeping is being generated by the congregation!
The other issue frequently raised is that of photographers moving around and causing a distraction. I tend to shoot from one or maybe two positions and move from one point to the other during a hymn to cover any possible distraction. However, in a large church or cathedral, where there may be longer distances to cover (getting to an upper level perhaps) I would suggest considering a second photographer to keep movement to a minimum.
Ultimately, as a photographer, I have to respect the wishes of the clergy in each church but will always do my upmost to capture as much of this part of the day as possible through your wedding photography.
Lloyd Dobbie is a London based photographer working across the UK and Europe. You can see more of his work here on his website and keep up to date with his latest wedding work by visiting his blog.
