Capture These 3 Shots on the Dance Floor During a Wedding Reception
Posted on: 27 February 2018
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On the day of a wedding, it's not just the images captured during the ceremony and immediate afterward that the happy couple will cherish. As a wedding photographer, you'll also want to attend at least part of the reception to document it photographically. Dancing is a big part of many wedding receptions, so you should plan to spend some time on and around the dance floor to capture some unique shots. While you'll obviously want to get the classic images—the couple's first dance and the bride with her father, for example—there are several fun and creative shots that you should plan to take. Here are some examples.
Ground Level
As a photographer, putting yourself in different positions can be effective for capturing shots from a unique angle. One option to pursue is to get right down at ground level and shoot along the surface of the dance floor. There are a number of photos that you can get from this vantage point. For example, you might want to focus exclusively on the happy couple's shoes during their first dance. Or, you might want to leave your camera's shutter open a split second longer than usual and get a blur effect of many couples' dancing across the floor in front of you.
Young & Old
When you shoot a wedding, your primary focus might be on the bride and groom—but you should also look for opportunities to capture candid images of other attendees. On the dance floor, there are plenty of chances to get some catchy photos of people dancing. Look for a senior citizen—perhaps a grandparent of the bride or the groom—and watch his or her moves. Sometimes, you'll come across an 80-something woman really getting down, and a shot of her can capture the mood of the event. Also keep your eyes open for children, as a photo of a young boy and girl dancing together can be touching.
Bird's-Eye View
Depending on the nature of the venue, you might be able to get above the dance floor to capture some wide-angle images of the scene. For example, if there's a balcony above the dance floor, a shot from this angle—perhaps even with a fish-eye lens—can give the bride and groom a fun perspective on the dancing part of their reception. Some couples may even choose to include a photo such as this one, thanks to its unique angle and ability to tell the story of the reception, framed on the wall of their home.