A beautiful wedding is always commemorated through ages by the photographs captured of the moments. These photographs speak of life and memories through visuals. Wedding photography is not just about capturing the center of attraction – Bride and Groom. Every attendee has roles to contribute in photographs. The action of capturing the moments is weighed upon the photographers.
The photographer plays multiple important roles in capturing the event. Control, coordination, adjustments, light settings, backups and many more to count. Working through a huge crowd and getting the right shots requires prerequisite planning and understanding.
Many types of shots are important for capturing the wedding. Group reaction shots are one among them that requires a lot of work for handling and capturing the right action and reaction. It is also the most circulated type of photography of the wedding due to the involvement of many. Now let’s see how to take the perfect group shots at the wedding.
How to capture perfect group reaction shots
Reaction shots are a very important segment of photographs, which captures the raw emotions of the time. These require quick and keen observation and an understanding of the events by the professional photographers. It is a difficult job to do, that’s why it’s always advised to hire a professional agency for the job. Here are some ways to help capture the right moments.
Talking to the friends and relatives of the bride and groom
When communication is established with the people associated with the bride and groom, it helps to understand their relations. This understanding can help in focusing on people’s reactions based on priority while capturing the shots. Moreover, it also enables the group of people to be more friendly and natural while posing.
Familiarization with the surrounding
A good understanding of the location and the surrounding is a key aspect. This helps in planning the shots beforehand and understanding the lighting requirements too. It also enables us to know if any additional equipment (tripods or stands) or assistance is required or not.
Pre–planned posing ideas
Though capturing the moments is an important part, sometimes this requires some planning too. Group reaction shots can be spontaneous or well preplanned by the group, but it’s best to have some ideas ready that can look good in the shot.
A calculative understanding of how many people to be in one shot, how many groups to include, candid groups etc. are some categories to consider. There should be a constant exchange of ideas among the photographers and groups to understand and get the required shot. Hence, a pre-discussion of the plan and posing ideas is always preferred.
Burst shots are a must
There are instances where unexpected reactions can occur soon after the action. It’s best to go for some additional burst shots if necessary to get the right moment captured effortlessly. Multiple shots can also ensure that no moment is missed in seconds of posing and clicking.
Some additional tips while group posing
- Keep smiling through the shots; smiling accentuates your look!
- Avoid too many action poses in a single shot; it can look messy!
- Make an arrangement planning before the shot – Color or height based preferred.
Conclusion
An understanding of the whole surrounding, including the people involved, is the most crucial part of the wedding. There are innumerous emotions expressed in the course of the event. A group shot is not just a photograph, and there are bonds and relations embedded in it. Every emotion is precious and needs to be captured at the right moment. Timing is always crucial.
