
In all of my pre-wedding chats with couples whose weddings I am going to be photographing, I always mention that I will get close when taking some photos. I’d much rather mention it beforehand than have people wondering what on earth I’m doing getting up close and personal with my cameras on the day itself!
It’s a technique I picked up early on in my wedding photography journey, over 10 years ago. After going on a workshop it gave me chance to practice some different ways of shooting, when I looked back through the images the ones that really stood out to me most, were where I had got in really close. I’ve been doing it ever since and found out that not only does it work well during photos of the couple, it’s great for on the dance-floor as well as during speeches.
As a photographer, I have a unique opportunity to capture these moments in a way that will last a lifetime. One of the most effective ways to capture the essence of a speech is by getting close to the speaker. This allows me to take portraits that showcase their emotion, expressions, and gestures. As the speaker delivers their words, whether with a smile, a tear, or a burst of laughter, I can document those powerful moments with great clarity. A well-timed close-up shot can capture the raw sincerity and emotional weight of the moment.
Getting close to the speaker allows you to isolate these key moments and create powerful portraits. Getting up close gives me chance to focus on their expressions, their words, and the way they connect with the audience. These moments can evoke a sense of closeness and intimacy that is often absent from wider shots, and they can bring wedding photography to life in a way that feels authentic and deeply personal.
I’ve chosen this photograph from a wedding speech to show just how close I might get on your wedding day, this also applies to photos I’m taking of just the two of you. Don’t get freaked out! You will be so busy focusing on your new husband or wife, we will have spent lots of time together prior to me getting in close and I have superpowers on making you feel relaxed, which means you probably won’t even notice!
So when I say I’m going to get close look at this photo to know I mean it!