I have always been in the ninja category during the ceremony--I like to stay out of the way and unnoticed. However, I am always wishing I had better angles of the bridal party and the bride when they are coming down the aisle. I am often limited by tight spaces and very short aisles...so I am either off to the side using my 70-200 IS and a wide angle lens or I quickly crouch down ninja style at the end of the aisle while everyone stands and looks at the bride. I always feel like if I am standing then I will block the bride from seeing the groom. Then I get to the back of the church to get the shot from behind of bride & father. While I am up front though, I do tend to get squeezed out by large bridal parties too. Its always the smallest churches that have brides with 12 attendants on each side.

Not to sound completely self-important, but wouldn't it be awesome if there were venues built with wedding photography in mind....lots of natural light, gorgeous architecture, and special hidden spots and secret passages to get the perfect shot. One can dream right??!!

I am curious where you like to place yourself during the processional in a church ceremony. Any tips or pointers would be awesome!

I usually start mid-aisle and walk backwards five or six steps as they get closer. I think people expect that the photographer will be there briefly, then crouch down and wait for the next couple. I also think it is one of those times when you have to gently assert yourself and make sure you get your shot.

Me too. Middle of the isle. I stand right in the middle, take a picture of each couple. As the couple walks by, I scoot in the pew (or chairs). Then as the Bride and dad walk by, I take a few images, scoot into the pew and let them go by, then get some from behind as I walk backwards down the isle tward the back of the church. I never really thought about being in the way for the bride to see the groom. I really didn't care too much if I was in the way of a few guests to see the bride.

I usually ask my brides if it's okay if I don't shoot the processional. You end up being in the way and sticking out just to get a pretty standard shot. Plus, ALL the emotion and excitement is happening right before they walk down the isle. Especially with the bride and her dad. I try to snap some shots of the bridal group couples together when they're walking out. I had a planner freak out on me once for not shooting them. I told her the couple didn't hire me to do what everyone else does.

If I do shoot everyone coming down the aisle, then I also plant myself about 10ish rows back to get my shots, just sliding out into the aisle long enough to snap off a couple of frames. However, sometimes I don't do that at all. I really prefer to stay back with the bride as everyone walks down the aisle. As Stephen said, this is where all the real moments are. If I stay back with the bride, then I'll just get a shot of each bridesmaid/couple from the doorway as they start down the aisle.

I find that most brides are very willing to let me do what I think is best. I guess I've lucked out in that I haven't really had any control freaks....

in my case, i take control, if i choose to get the isle shot i get it even if am blocking a million people, i just dont care, my clients are the bride and groom and they are paying me to do a job, i tend to be a bit brave when am in a wedding shoot , people tend to look down on photographers sometimes not knowing a value of us. We as photographers must take charge, its all in the contract, lets all stand up for our rights and our dignity, lets all .......................VOTE for OSP

Rah Rah Rah!

I only concern myself with the Groom, Flower Girl, Ring Bearer and the Dad with the Bride. Haven't taken pics of the Brides Babes with their Groomen in quite some time, coming down the isle that is. Every venue is different and I move around alot.

Best to ya, Ernst

You're getting paid to shoot the bride and her wedding so why not stand where ever you want to get the shot. I'd rather have the best shot for the bride so she can always have that image to see and share.

I used to shoot center aisle - but I hated being in 'the way'. Plus, I just hated processional shots. It was either, don't shoot 'em or find a different way (for me) to shoot them.

So now, depending on the venue, I shoot in at a 45 degree angle from the front (hidden of course) - this way you see all the guests rubber necking to see the processional - plus, I like the way it looks when you shoot through a crowd. To me, this looks the most natural and you get some great, natural expression from people.

The only downside... catching the little kids - this is the only time I feel it is okay to go back to center. Everyone else that has a cam is doing it - why not me?

Ditto. I personally never stand in the aisle or in front of anyone. Theres always a way around it.

I like to assign myself a seat in a pew/chair right along the aisle (if it means going and setting something down there prior to guests, I will). Sometimes it's half way, other times I get lucky and can grab a seat 2 or 3 rows from the front. Always on the brides side, so I can capture the little ones and the bride, as well as capture the groom's emotions when he sees her for the first time. Then I'm rarely in the actual aisle itself, unless I step out a foot for a quick snap.

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!




Yeah on this too!

I tried this once, and It seemed fine until everyone stood up and I couldnt' see the bride and her dad becasue everyone was in the way. What do you do then?

Again, it depends on the venue.
Most of the time, it is a church with steps up to an altar... so before the wedding cer. I talk to the priest/pastor and let them know how I do things and ask if it is okay for me to stand -out of the way - in a spot that I've predetermined would work for that angle.

Most of the time, it works if you stand behind the groomsmen and shoot through them towards the aisle. If I have little kiddies coming down, I will crouch down at the first pew and shoot down the aisle.

Sometimes it just won't work of course, then I default to finding a spot amongst the congregation where I'll pop out to grab the shots I need.

I usually stand by one of the pews/chair, shooting from the center towards the back so I'm not in the way of everything, using medium wide lens to get all the "standard" safe shots. Processional shots are a pain but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. If I twist towards the front of the church, I get "anticipation shots" of the guests as they wait for the bride. Twist the other way, I get my processional shots.

Then, my modus operandi is to run to the back of the church (discretely of course) immediately after the bride passes me to get a low angle fisheye of her bridal gown trail, and then proceed to shoot from the back of the church with a tele.

My second shooter usually is off to the side, top of the aisle with a tele to get some tight reaction shots of the groom and bride as they see each other face to face.

Sometimes we swap places, depending on our mood.

The processional is usually the most stressful 10 minutes of the entire wedding coverage.