30 wedding photo ideas (a shot list for small weddings and iPhone)

Whether you are photographing a friend's small wedding, an elopement or your own courthouse ceremony, the secret is a shot list. Weddings move fast, and the moments you forget are the ones people ask for later. Work through these 30 shots in order, and use window light and golden hour wherever you can.

Getting ready

1. The dress hanging in the window light.

2. The rings, shoes and invitation. Flat lay, top-down. The Aerial Triangle guide arranges three items.

3. Buttoning the dress or tying the tie. Hands only, at 2x.

4. The mirror moment. The reflection, the person behind.

5. A parent seeing them ready. Focus on the parent's face.

Ceremony

6. The aisle from the back. Shoot down the aisle so the rows lead to the altar. The Vanishing Point guide uses those converging lines.

7. The walk down the aisle.

8. The partner's face seeing them arrive. The most important shot of the day; have someone ready for it.

9. The ring exchange. Close-up of hands, at 3x from the side.

10. The first kiss. Burst mode.

11. Walking out. Guests throwing petals or rice.

Couple portraits

12. Golden hour portrait. The last hour of sun, backlit.

13. Small couple, big place. The two of you tiny in a landscape or against architecture. The Travel Shot guide frames it.

14. The veil in the wind.

15. Forehead to forehead.

16. Walking hand in hand away.

17. The dip.

Family and friends

18. Couple with each set of parents.

19. Couple with siblings.

20. Grandparents. Never skip them.

21. The wedding party.

22. Everyone. The whole guest list, shot from a balcony or step above.

Details

23. The bouquet.

24. The cake.

25. Table settings and place cards.

26. Signage and the venue.

Reception

27. The first dance. Shoot from low, with lights behind.

28. The toasts. Speaker and the couple's reactions.

29. The dance floor. From above or in the middle of it.

30. The exit. Sparklers, bubbles or a car.

iPhone tips for weddings

• Charge and clear storage. Bring a battery.
• Use 2x for portraits, 3x for rings and details.
• Turn off flash for the ceremony and portraits.
• Get people out of the harsh midday sun; use open shade.
• Shoot bursts for the kiss, the toss and the exit.
• Keep horizons and door frames straight. slay shows a live level.

Guests can help too: wedding guest photo ideas.

Frame the day

slay overlays composition guides on your live iPhone camera, so every portrait, aisle and detail is framed before you press the shutter.

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