10 Steps to Capture a Perfect Wedding Photo Every Time

Photography Tips  •  Wedding Photography

How many steps does it take to get a perfect wedding photo? According to Ed Gregory from Photos in Color, it takes ten:

1. Camera

First things first, you need a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

2. Wide Angle Lens

This technique is all about incorporating more of the scene; portrait lenses and standard primes won’t yield the right results.

3. Small Aperture

Set your lens to a small aperture like f/8. You need a larger depth of field to ensure that much of the frame is in focus.

4. Fast Shutter Speed

You will need a fast shutter speed—something like 1/250 of a second—so that the moment is frozen. If you’re shooting outside, this shouldn’t be a problem at all.

5. Burst Mode

Burst mode allows your camera to capture several shots of the moment. This gives you plenty of shots to choose from.

6. Prep the Couple

Although magical wedding moments, when you look at them in pictures, appear serendipitous, a little bit of planning can’t be overlooked. If you are going to take a shot with confetti, instruct the couple to walk slowly and to look at each other and enjoy the moment. After all, it’s their wedding day.

7. Prep the Guests

Just as you would prepare the newlyweds, you also need to prepare the guests. Ask that they stand in a semi-circle. Also make sure that everyone has a handful of the confetti, and—this is important—make sure that everyone throws only on the count of three. So, you count 1, 2, 3 and they all throw at the same time.

8. Up and Over

Direct the guests to throw the confetti up and over the couple, rather than at them.

9. Get Down Low

When shooting the image, get down low and aim your camera high to bring the sky into the shot. The confetti against a blue sky looks really great.

10. Take the Photo

The last step is to press the shutter button and take the shot!

And that’s how you shoot the perfect wedding photo, every time.