Its the big moment. Ceremony time. The church is beyond beautiful. People are walking down isles, uncles are filming with iPad's, and I'm sweating bullets because its darker than a cave and I have to shoot ISO 2,000. đ
But when the big moments are happening, all the noise has to go silent and its go time. It's time to tell a story. Here's a few photos from this wedding ceremony and a few lessons we can learn about storytelling. Take the tips that work for you. Leave the ones that don't.
Capture a Wide, Establishing Shot
What I Do: Start the story by anchoring the viewer in the setting. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full architecture, ambiance, and guests. I used 35mm for this analyzed photo because the church was so large. In other weddings I may use 16mm.
Place the couple in the frame strategically, like the lower third, to create balance and show scale. I really want you to feel how huge that church really was.
Why It Works: Establishing shots give context, setting the stage for the story. It highlights the grandeur of the venue and the significance of the ceremony.
It can be helpful to develop your eye in search for for symmetry or leading lines (e.g., pews or pillars) that draw attention to the couple, ensuring the shot feels intentional. These ultra-wide angles are only visually satisfying to the eye when taken at the right angle. Make sure your are standing center of your subject and your camera lens is pointing center of your subject to get nice straight lines.
While it does stand alone as a photograph. It is simply one photo in a series of photos that continues to blend other techniques to add more layers of storytelling.
Try the âShoot-Throughâ Method for Intimate Framing
What I Do: Frame your subjects by shooting through foreground elements like a guestâs shoulder, a floral arrangement, or even candles. Keep the couple sharp and let the foreground blur.
Why It Works: Shoot-throughs make candid moments feel more candid. They create layers to the story, making the photo feel like a paused movie. Or, cinematic. It subtly adds the viewerâs perspective into the moment, making them feel like theyâre part of the scene.
Experiment by positioning yourself creatively during vows or moments to find natural frames. I love photographing through guests to frame a moment happening between the couple. Use a wide aperture and a long lens (85mm f/1.4 or 70mm-200mm f/2.8) to emphasize the blurred effect.
Capture Emotional Variety with Close-Ups
What I Do: Balance the wide shots with close-ups of facial expressions during key moments like vows, candle-lighting ceremonies, or the first kiss. Focus on raw emotionsâsmiles, tears, or even the subtle grip of hands.
Why It Works: Close-ups allow you to feel the emotional story behind vast architecture and pretty lights. They highlight intimacy and make the moments personal and memorable.
Experiment with using a longer lens (85mm f/1.4 or 70mm-200mm f/2.8)) to maintain distance while capturing these moments. I often shoot these at 200mm.
These techniques, when used together, create a well-rounded visual story. They move the viewer from grand context to emotional connection, blending perspective and emotion into a compelling narrative.
Hope this helps!
Gear Used
Camera: Canon 5D MK IV
Lenses:
Edited in Lightroom Classic with JY POP Signature Presets
Settings (Your settings will vary):
1/125 - 1/200, f/1.4 - f/2.8, ISO 2000
Natural Light
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