Capture All the Details

According to wedding specialist Michael O’Neill, “When I first started photographing weddings (in the last millennium) the owner of the studio I worked for would have your head if you shot more than 120 exposures on even the most extravagant wedding. Today, I routinely shoot ten times that amount.” Many of
these shots show the details of the day. “Today’s brides and grooms expect to see all of their wedding day,” adds Michael. “Shoot details. Shoot closeups. Flowers, rings, dress details, jewelry, shoes, architecture, landscapes, table settings, menus, champagne glasses, cake decorations, etc. The detail shots are almost as important to today’s client as the portraits.” Details aren’t always things, of course, Michael notes. “Shoot candid shots all day long.

Take shots of the bridesmaids helping the bride get dressed and the flower girl’s antics during the ceremony. And don’t limit yourself to action shots—get reaction shots. When the couple exchanges vows, whirl around and capture the look on their parents’ faces. Great storytelling includes both actions and reactions.”