Posed Shots

One might argue that posed shots are the easy ones because you’ve got everyone looking at you and you have time to set up your camera with the right settings. Although that is relatively true, the furious speed at which these opportunities will come hurling toward you require preparation. In other words, the way things move at a wedding, even the posed shots can feel candid sometimes.

Some couples will request all posed shots, with the idea that they’d prefer to have less footage or pictures, but more carefully set up ones. Often, a couple will give a list of posed “formal” shots they know they want to capture, such as a shot with both grandmothers or with all the siblings together. These are usually taken in a predetermined place and symbolize the families being united. (Lots of information on formal shots can be found in Chapter 7, “Formal Shots and Cocktails.”)