Family Tips

Afterward, the family may want you to photograph the bride and groom with their attendants and other family members. At the reception it's a good idea to photograph the wedding cake--and of course, the cake-cutting ceremony--as well as the bride and groom's first dance, the bouquet toss, the father dancing with the bride, and any other traditions that the couple incorporate into their event. Zoom in and capture the joy on people's faces, and step back to encompass a group of people on the dance floor.

Try to visit the venue in advance so that you can identify some key vantage points from which to shoot the most important parts of the day. Reader photo by Nancy Brown, Redding, CA

As a parting shot, you may want to photograph the happy couple as they leave for their honeymoon.

You'll want to use lenses ranging from wide angle to telephoto if you're shooting with a camera that accepts interchangeable lenses. If your camera has a built-in zoom lens, you'll probably utilize the entire zoom range while shooting a wedding. Most wedding photography is done in color, but many couples like some black and white or sepia-toned photos for their wedding album, as well.

Don't hesitate to move in close to capture details of the wedding ceremony. A telephoto lens can be very helpful for this. Reader photo by Glennis Siverson, Thousand Oaks, CA

Weddings are wonderful occasions to photograph. Like many events, however, you won't get a second chance to capture the moment. For this reason, bring lots of film or high-capacity memory cards, take lots of pictures and focus on emotions and all the important traditions. You're sure to come away with some images that truly mark this special occasion.

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