I am taking my friends wedding photos next weekend. I have only done one other wedding( everyone has to start somewhere lol). My question is where do I stand to get good shots of the wedding party walking up the aisle? Do I stand in the middle of the aisle, shoot the pic and then move out of the way. Please someone help me. Any other advise welcome too. Thank you and God Bless you I am doing this as a favor for my friend because she cant really afford a photographer. Please only give nice and encouraging answers because I really want to her to have some nice pictures. Thank you

All Answers To Questions

Really, if you are this inexperienced, I would suggest you NOT take wedding photographs, or learn something BEFORE you agree to do the photography at an actual wedding. I hope the couple gets someone else and doesn't let you ruin their special day with inferior photographs.

I suggest that you go close the front of the church and take the pictures at an angle and not front on. But front on would be nice also if it doesn't get to much in the way.

First, good luck with the photography. Wedding photography can be very stressful. Just do your best and everything should be fine. As far as where to stand goes - a lot depends on the church itself and the type of service being performed. Some photographers kneel down in the center of the aisle and duck out of the way at the last moment (risking a fall and knocking your head on a pew). Others stand behind the minister and shoot over his shoulder. Still others stand to the side in front and shoot at a slight angle. The best thing you can do is talk to whoever is in charge of the venue/church (some have strict photography rules) and talk to the bride and groom about if they have a preference. And visit the venue BEFORE the wedding so their won't be as many surprises about space and lighting. On other advice for the big day. Always have extra batteries for everything and lots more film/memory cards than you think you will need. Take at least 4 shots of everything. And bracket like crazy if your camera will allow you to do so. Also, surf around to websites of wedding photographers in your area. They may have images on their site from the church/venue you will be photographing in. Seeing what they have done for other weddings could be a big help to you. Good luck! ~Liz http://photography.about.com

I would stand somewhere behind the altar table or pulpit either slightly at an angle to the aisle with a long lense. I wouldn't shoot straight in front of the aisle because I prefer people's profiles. With a veil over the face features will be toned down, a slight angle will help. As for the crowd people will be looking at the bride walking and if you shoot straight at the bride, you miss out on the people's gazes except maybe for the row she's passing right in front of, that won't tell as much of a story. You should also run to the back (or get an assistant) get a shot of the bride's veil stretching and fanning out, you'll have to be elevated so get your ladder ready, then run up to the choir loft for a long shot. You might want to run back (I hope the church isn't too big!) to capture the moment when the groom meets the bride, again try to capture how their eyes meet, and how they take each other's hand. Good luck, have fun, click around this guy's gallery to get some ideas http://www.arieljavelosa.ph/darkroom/share/?client/aug_renato_gina

If you have to ask questions like this, you are neither qualified nor prepared to take good pictures as a wedding photographer. If you do not have the skills to do he task asked of you, I would recommend finding a pro wedding photographer to apprentice under and get the skills you need.

My husband accidently erased my lengthy answer, so here is a shorter version. Photography Guide brought up many good points, I will second start the processional with new batteries! If you don't have a battery pack, your flash will need time to recycle, so allow for that time. If you don't have a bracket or diffuser, you will have harsh side shadows. If you have enough pixels, you can avoid that by shooting horizontal, then cropping vertically in post processing. Photographers go with the flow when it comes to positioning. Usually, I shoot from the front, between the alter and the first pew. Occasionally, I shoot from a spot near the middle pews. I get out in the aisle, get the picture, and step back. I always pick a certain point where I want to fire, usually something like one of the backtwo or three pews. Beforehand, I ask the wedding party to pause at that spot for an instant and LOOK at me with a smile. The processional moves pretty fast, so be ready. If the church is dark, you may have problems with the auto focus. In that case, I pre focus manually on my spot. I try to get multiples of the bride and father (or whoever) walking down the aisle. You are ***usually*** allowed flash until the handoff. I get one from behind while I'm in the front. I stay up front until the bride and dad arrive. Usually there are a couple of minutes of blab between the arrival at the front and the hand-off and the Dad's kiss. I use that minute to get to the back or balcony wherre my tripod awaits. Unless it is an unusual ceremony, or I have a second shooter, I stay at the back for the ceremony, until just before the prouncement. Then I scoot back into flash range for the first kiss. Be ready, sometimes the kiss is the briefest of pecks, hardly time to fire even one shot! Then shoot the recessional with flash, the recessional goes really quickly, too. Some advice for the formals: Take charge. Have someone in charge of rounding up the family and assorted people who are to be in the group shots. B&G always front and center, together, or higher. Bodies always angled to the camera. Men's hands at their sides or in pockets, not folded over thier crotch. Ladies hold flowers at waist, no higher. Flowers at hips with stems pointing back is good, too. In full length shots, do not amputate the feet! Same with 3/4, don't cut off fingers. More than three in the group, shoot horizontal. Start with the biggest group and work down to just the B&G. Don't let other people with cameras snap while you're shooting. Fix your poses, then you get your shots first. Otherwise, you will have the subjects' eyes wondering all over the place. To avoid lots of post work, they must look at YOU, not Aunt Edna. In large groups, take several shots. Check your histogram to avoid blowing highlights. If you know how to custom WB, use it. (I am assuming you are digital, if film ignore that line, film has more exposure latitude.) Don't forget to get some detail shots of the rings, flowers, decor etc etc. Get a good shot of the cake. If you don't know the families, ask who is important to get a shot of, in particular don't miss the grandparents, godparents, favorite aunt and uncle. Take lots of fresh batteries, lots of film or memory. Browse wedding websites to see what poses you might want to copy. Don't get flustered if something goes not as planned (usually it does) Get a backup camera if you don't already have one. Doesn't have to be fancy, but if your main camera goes down, you want to be able to just switch to your spare withour missing a beat. Good luck, hope it all goes well.

I think you're gonna do a GREAT job :) Good for you! I think you should stand in the middle. Have fun!

My fellow professionals have given you some excellent advice. Mine is to remember that a wedding is a personal, intimate event and the photographer has to be in the thick of it to capture those moments without being a distraction or getting too much in the way of the guests' view. I call it 'being invisible'. Get those closeups you need then silently stand aside out of the way until the next shot. The couple will appreciate it, the minister will appreciate it and the guests will know you're thinking of them too. Again, the wedding ceremony is an intimate affair, so don't shoot like you're a spectator. I'd also highly advise finding a list of the most traditional shots from beginning to end and keep it in your pocket so you know what shot you need to take next. The more weddings you do, the less you'll need the list but for now, it'll help you be where you need to be when the moment arrives. With the list, you won't have to rely on 'set-ups' after the ceremony because you missed a shot while changing film. (Very embarrassing.) As someone else advised, make sure you get YOUR shots first before allowing the guests and all the relatives to start shouting "Look over here". By the end of the reception the couple are going to be tired of seeing flashes, so get yours first. I actually had a clause in my contracts that dissallowed anyone else shooting photos during or immediately after the ceremony but allowed guests to take 'happy snaps' at the reception after I had mine. Take photos of any children and elderly EARLY in the day, before the ceremony, if possible. Both can get mighty cranky after a long ceremony. Every professional has their own routine, but I always started shooting at least an hour before the ceremony starting with the Groom, Best Man, etc, then as the bride put on finishing touches, shot her, her Maid of Honor, etc. according to my list, but be aware of the unusual things that can happen as well and don't just include stock poses. Be a bit creative if you can. Sorry this turned out so long but I believe every Bride deserves the best photos possible since it's a once in a life time day for her. Good Luck.