Wedding details

Many photographers put a lot of emphasis on wedding details. For example, I will tell you about a photographer I have followed online and watched a few of her training videos. She spends up to an hour of the wedding day photographing wedding details. That is the first thing she does on the wedding day.

You might ask – what are wedding details? Let’s get that question answered first thing. Wedding details are all the little things that generally don’t include people. It is photographing the rings, the flowers, the dresses, the shoes, etc. Many photographers, including the one I am referring to in the previous paragraph, take great care to make “flat lays” – a photographic term for objects laying on a specially-selected mat or other object on the floor. These flat lays will include the detail objects I just mentioned placed on the mat in a strategic way to create something of beauty. Once the flat lay is complete, the photographer will stand over it and shoot down on the display.

I personally do not make flat lays during a wedding day. In my view, creating these displays take too much time away from other more important parts of the day. So here is what I do. I will photograph the rings. I display the rings in flowers, on the marriage license, on something in nature, or even on a special mat I have. I will be sure and photograph the flowers and the shoes Many times I will combine the rings with the bride’s shoes to make an interesting photo. I photograph the dress.

I try not to spend too much time photographing these material things. Basically, I do the essentials then turn my attention to more important parts of the day – the people involved. I will, however, certainly comply with a bride who has a special request for detail shots.

This article is part of a blog series on how I approach a wedding photography assignment. Other included articles are on: bridal prep; How do I photograph a ceremony? How do I approach family formals? What do I do in between the ceremony and reception? How do I photograph a reception? And how do I complete the job once the wedding is over?