Long Island Church Wedding Photography Tips
Singing Ave Maria at the Church of St. Patrick in Huntington, NY © Dan Wagner 2023
Few lifetime events join a bride and groom and their families together as beautifully as a Long Island church wedding. Please excuse my being a Long Island church wedding “cheerleader,” it’s due to the majority of the weddings I’ve photographed being on Long Island. As a photographer, being able to provide the photos that help everyone relive these spiritually bonding moments is incredibly rewarding. Call it tradition, call it seeing the best in ourselves and others, or simply call it believing in the infinite possibilities promised by the wedding vows.
For me, the expression on the face of the woman singing Ave Maria at the Church of St. Patrick in Huntington, NY says it all. Luck (that the singer was lit so perfectly), preparation (that I always bring a camera with a telephoto lens), and location (shooting from below the balcony), all contributed to the success of this photo. So the tip here for a couple hiring a wedding photographer, is to look for these type of inspired shots in the photographer’s photo galleries and albums. It shows that the photographer has a “good eye.” Having a "good eye" in photography refers to the photographer’s ability to compose an image in an aesthetically pleasing and meaningful way.
Bride and groom exchanging wedding vows at church. © Dan Wagner 2023
The photograph of the bride and groom exchanging wedding vows is often called a bread-and-butter photo. It’s a shot that couples always expect to see, and photographers are compelled to take. So, on the surface it seems very simple. And in many ways it is. However, this type of photo can be difficult to get, without conferring with the priest before the ceremony.
For this reason, I always ask the priest for photography instructions. Not every priest or church have the same rules. That’s why it’s important to ask. In almost every case, photographers are not allowed in the altar area. Many churches will provide couples with a list of photography guidelines to share with their photographer. Even if I’ve been given one of these lists, I always verify the rules with the priest. Taking the time to respectfully communicate ensures that the church photography will go smoothly, and that I will be welcomed back in the future.
Being friendly will often result in the priest “having my back,” and noticing if I need a second to get in position for certain shots. I’ve even had priests say, “let’s wait a second for our photographer.” This always results in friendly chuckles. Lots of fun stuff can happen in a church ceremony. Like the time a priest performing his fist wedding said, “let’s welcome for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Last name,” and instead of saying the groom’s last name, said the bride’s maiden name. It was a highpoint of the ceremony!
Couple happily walking up the aisle after exchanging their wedding vows. © Dan Wagner 2023
One unwritten common sense rule for photographers is to avoid being a distraction, or “pulling focus,” from the ceremony. Striking a good balance between getting great shots, and trying to blend in help the photographer look professional. Another preference/rule that churches have is to only use flash photography during the processional and recessional. Fortunately, modern digital cameras have the necessary low light sensitivity that make it possible to shoot without flash in most situations.
My most valuable tip is to ask the priest when the first kiss will occur, and to make sure you’re in position for this must-have photo. During a full mass, and at other times, it’s possible that the photographer will be taking photos from the back of the church. So rather than having the photographer cause a distraction by running toward the altar for this must-have photo, the priest can even say, “let’s wait a second for our photographer.”
Church Wedding Photography Tips
Here’s a short list of my favorite tips:
Review the church’s wedding photography guidelines.
Confer with the priest prior to the wedding.
If possible, ask the priest to ask the couple to kiss a second time as he steps to one side—so he’s not right behind them. This is totally optional. Sometimes couples kiss so briefly, that a photographer is lucky to get a single shot. And because this shot is often taken with a slow shutter speed under natural light—there’s the chance it could be a bit blurry. So an extra photo of the moment, or asking the couple to prolong the kiss for a few seconds prior to the ceremony can be helpful.
Know when the first kiss is scheduled so you can be in position. This is important for ceremonies that have a full mass.
If there’s a videographer, ask them where they want to stand for the processional. Videographers who carry on-the-shoulder video cameras will have limited visibility on one side—so you want to give them space to work. It’s a also a good way to avoid blocking each other’s shots.
Choose your locations before the ceremony. Doing this helps me know where to place my tripod and other gear for easy access. I look for good photography spots to take bridesmaid, groomsmen, and immediate family photos. I love shooting the bridesmaid bouquets lined up on the railing in front of their church pew.
Find an ideal spot where you can photograph the groom’s face as he see’s the bride walk down the aisle, and where you can quickly pivot back and forth for shots of the bride.
In advance, ask the bride’s maid of honor to adjust the bride’s gown if needed when they reach the altar area.
When placing the rings on each other’s fingers, it’s helpful if the couple take their time and hold their hands so they can be easily seen by the guests and photographer.
As the photographer, I think it’s important to shoot quickly and be mindful when you’re blocking a guests view. It’s important that everyone can fully experience the ceremony as it happens, and through photos later on.
During the recessional, it’s a nice touch to ask the bride and groom to kiss. Guests with cellphones love this photo opportunity, and it’s a good back up for the first kiss photo.
For photographers, mentally reviewing their indoor and outdoor camera and flash setting is vital. Being able to switch from 100 ISO and fill-in flash for outdoor shots such as the bride’s walk from the limo to the church, and then instantly switching to a much higher ISO and full flash for interior shots is the mark of a real pro.
If time permits, take some nice photos of the couple with the priest for sharing through email later on. I repeat this process if the priest is at the reception.
Beautiful Long Island church wedding ceremony. © Dan Wagner 2023
Church Wedding Do’s and Don’ts for Taking Cellphone Photos
Clergy and photographers often have strong feelings when it comes to guests taking cellphone photos during the wedding. Sometimes, conferring with priests result in them making an announcement about cellphone photography use before the processional. Important parts of the announcement are silencing their phones, and only taking wedding photos during the processional and recessional. However the most important thing the priest can say from a photographer’s perspective is to ask guests to refrain from blocking the aisle with their bodies or cellphones.
It’s very frustrating for photographers to have the bride’s face blocked by a guests outstretched arm and cellphone. For this reason, it’s a great idea for couples to communicate good church wedding cellphone etiquette to their families and guests ahead of time. In the earlier days of wedding photography, photographers would charge for prints (they still do when asked to supply added services). Because of this, many guests and family members (particularly older ones) think they need to take their own photos. Letting everyone know that all the photos will be digitally available free-of-charge can help people resist the temptation to get in the way.
What to Do About Uncle Bob, or Aunt Betty Photographers?
I know it sounds funny. But so many weddings have an Uncle Bob or Aunt Betty who decide on their own to be semi-official photographers at your wedding. This is usually not a problem. However, there are times when they take it a bit too far. Like the time an Uncle Bob joined the bridesmaids for the whole ceremony. There he was behind the bridesmaids like a photographer contortionist bent on inventing a new Kama Sutra of photography positions. Worse yet, no amount of silent pleading could persuade him to move. Therefore, it’s helpful for couples to politely ask them to differ to the hired photographer.
In the case of the Uncle Bob who decided to “be a bridesmaid for the ceremony,” I simply incorporated photos of him into my coverage. People were amused, so it was okay. The experience taught me to seek out and befriend the aunts and uncles ahead of time. Carrying equipment that was often equal to mine, they were always easy to spot. Rather than get annoyed by their presence, I regard them as free backup photographers. And if they give the bride a shot I wish I’d taken—good for them!
By the way, two shots that can be very difficult to get are when the father gives the bride away, and when the groom lifts the bride’s vail. The reasons for this are that there’s not much room to maneuver at the end of the aisle, and it’s difficult to predict which way people will move. Naturally, you can only ask people to follow a small amount of instructions in advance. Too much instruction can interfere with the organic enjoyment of the moment. Therefore, it’s worth deciding on just a few key instructions—or none at all, if that’s what the couple prefer.
Church Wedding Photography Tips for After the Ceremony
Here’s a short list of my favorite tips:
Photographers should prepare a mental plan for how they want to setup the bridal party and couple for the photos in front of the church. Generally, the bridal party will be on either side of the couple as the bride and groom walk down the steps, and the guests throw rice, birdseed, rose petals, or blow bubbles.
Decide if you want the bridal party on the steps, and how they should be positioned. It’s important that everyone can be seen, and that they’re close, but not too close to where the bride and groom need to walk.
It’s also useful to ask kids, if they’re throwing rice or birdseed, to throw it so it falls from above in an arc—instead of throwing it at the couple’s faces. Kids can become too enthusiastic. Only mentioning this because it’s not fun seeing someone get an eyeful of birdseed.
It doesn’t happen very often anymore, but some couples will want to reenter the church for some formal shots at the altar.
One great tip for couples and photographers, is to ask the limo drivers to wait until the photographer’s car is behind the limos before leaving the church. Even though I always program my GPS for the next location when I arrive at the church—it’s important to always follow the couple’s limo. This way you can stop at other locations (if asked) on the way to the reception venue. Good limo drivers will not drive too far above the speed limit, and will slow down for anyone following them through lights or while changing lanes.
I remember one occasion when the couple’s limo got a flat tire. Because I was following them, I was able to offer them transportation to the next location while the limo driver changed the tire. An important tip for wedding photographers is to always keep the bride and groom in sight. Oh, and be sure you have a list of the important phone numbers for the couple, immediate family, limo company, reception venue, and other places such as hotels.
“As someone who is never seen without her camera glued to her side, it was very important to me that I choose a good photographer for my special day, as my family and friends were not going to let me near my camera that day. I am happy and able to say that Dan was a fantastic choice for a photographer. He was very professional, but not dry and could make you laugh and come up with creative shots easily. He can capture all sorts of emotions, from romance to completely candid and I couldn't be happier.”
—Catherine and Joel
Please feel free to share your wedding photography thoughts, concerns, and suggestions in the comment box below. And thanks for visiting my Long Island wedding photographer blog!