Church wedding photography tips

In this article, we talk about church wedding photography tips

My background is Classic Art, and I was fascinated with Art History and the evolvement of art in the last few centuries. I read a lot of books on that topic and learned a lot about European arts and later the ancient churches in Europe and the history behind them.

That motivated me to visit Paris and check out beautiful places such as the Notre-Dam Church. When I got back to the US, I still continued visiting the local churches in the city just to learn more by comparing one with another.

What I have learned about ancient religious buildings, is that they all are beautifully symmetrical. What you see on one side, will be on the other as well, and everything gloriously emerges together and form the chapel right at the end of the aisle.

Fast forward to today, as a wedding photographer in Chicago, I have had the chance to see and shoot in many churches, such as Holy Name Cathedral, Fourth Presbyterian, St. Mary Of The Angels, St. John Cantius, St. Michael in Old Town, Old St. Patrick’s Church, and many more.

 

Honestly, I haven’t come across an ordinary one! All churches have special characters and vibes, regardless of the size, elaboration, or decoration of it.

 

I have some tips for you newly engaged couples who are going to celebrate your wedding in Chicago Churches. Whether you have hired the best wedding photographer in Chicago or not, here are some tips about Churches wedding photography.

 

 

1- When you walk down the aisle to get to your soon-to-be-husband, walk Slowly. 

I (and many photographers) shoot with two cameras. One camera has a wide lens and the other zoom. With my wide lens, I photograph the big picture, for example, the guests, the church environment, part of the beautiful ceiling, and the orchestra on the balcony, while the bride and her father are coming towards me, will be all in my frame. With the other lens, I focus on the emotions on the bride’s face as well as her fiance’s, seeing her for the first time in her dress and waiting to be united. As you see, there is a lot going on to capture. Give your photographer enough time to preserve all of that as much as she can.

2- Stay right in the center of the chapel/aisle :

As I mentioned, Churches, just like any other religious place, are symmetrical. There has been a lot of effort into building such glamorous architecture. As an artist, I want to show that beauty in my compositions. I make sure to have the lines straight and symmetrical. What you need to do is making sure that you are standing right in the center of the aisle facing together or kneeling down. How would you know if you are standing in the center? Use the tiles on the floor as an indication and keep your distance equally from each side.

3-Hold the kiss please!

You are announced as husband and wife, and now is the time to kiss each other, Please have a long kiss for the sake of having two sets of pictures: wide composition and tight ones (just like when you are walking down the aisle).

4- After the ceremony, have a family picture list:

List your immediate family, and let them know in advance that after the ceremony they need to stay for the family pictures. You may want to read “tips about family pictures on the wedding day”

5-Bubble exit

It you plan to have bubble exit, please inform your photographer beforehand. I send a questionnaire to my couples prior to the wedding and ask them to be detailed about all that is going to happen on the wedding day.

If you are planning to have your church wedding photography in chicago, feel free to give me a call, I have a lot more to share 🙂