The first kiss shot

Typically when I photograph the first kiss at the end of the ceremony, I do it from the audience’s perspective.

Here is one shot where I had a different perspective.

This shot shows the couple’s kiss from the opposite site, looking toward the audience. How did I get this shot? Here’s an explanation.

When I photograph a wedding I’m almost never up on the alter taking photos. I, as well as other’s I’m sure, consider that to be too much of a distraction.

At this wedding, however, I was on the alter with a video camera. At this wedding I was shooting video as well as taking photos.

Having a video camera up on the alter is always my preference because it captures the best video. Sometimes this camera is manned and sometimes it is not. In this case, neither the couple or the officiant minded that I stand on the alter monitoring this video camera.

Since I was on the alter, I decided I would take photos from this perspective as well. I photographed the couple from the side of the officiant, looking out at the audience.

I feel like this enabled me to get some photos that I otherwise would not have gotten. The kiss was one of those photos.

This shot was requested by the bride. She wanted to see her wedding guests as they kissed for the first time as husband and wife.

I love this photo because it is different from any other first kiss shot I have gotten at a wedding. The bride and groomed loved it, as they could see their parents applauding them during the kiss.

Some couples might want to consider having their photographer stand on the alter during the ceremony. Granted, some churches would not allow it. But when it is allowed, there is the opportunity to get some shots other couples don’t have.