15 wedding guest photo ideas (without getting in the photographer's way)

As a guest, your photos are most valuable when they capture what the professional photographer misses: your own table, your friends, the quiet moments at the edges. Put your phone away during the ceremony (many couples ask for an unplugged ceremony), then shoot freely at the reception.

Etiquette first

• Follow the couple's rules. If the ceremony is unplugged, keep the phone in your pocket.
• Never step into the aisle or block the photographer.
• No flash during the ceremony or first dance.
• Share your photos with the couple afterwards. They will love the candids.
• Ask before posting, especially before the couple has posted themselves.

Your outfit and your people

1. Your outfit in the venue. A full-length shot in a doorway or against the venue's best wall. The Portrait 1 guide frames head to toe.

2. With your date. At the venue entrance, golden hour if you can.

3. Your friend group. Everyone from the same table.

4. The mirror selfie in the venue bathroom. A wedding tradition.

Moments the photographer misses

5. Your table laughing.

6. Kids on the dance floor.

7. Grandparents dancing.

8. The couple seen from your seat. A view from the guest side is unique.

9. The couple sneaking a quiet moment.

10. The late-night food.

Details

11. Your place card and table setting.

12. The favours.

13. The cake before it is cut.

The party

14. The dance floor from above. Hold the phone up, shoot down.

15. The send-off. Sparklers or bubbles from your spot in the line.

Tips for reception photos

• Use the 1x lens in dim light.
• Expose for the warm lights. Tap a face, drag the exposure down a touch.
• 2x for portraits at the table.
• Brace the phone on the table for low light.

For the full shot list, see wedding photo ideas.

Frame the night

slay overlays composition guides on your live iPhone camera, so your guest photos look as considered as your outfit.

Get slay on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6807513456?utm_source=slaycamera&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wedding-guest-photo-ideas