Group Photographs don't have to be painful

We've all been there - you're at a wedding and no one wants to really do the group shots (not even us as photographers!) but we completely understand that most couples want just a few 'traditional' groups to keep everyone happy and we will take these for you in as painless a way as possible.

How you take your wedding groups is entirely up to you as a couple - we won't make you do anything you don't want to as we know that the walking, jumping, posing ones aren't for everyone but, if they suit you and you'd rather do groups like this than the traditional line-up's we're more than happy to photograph it.  It really is your day and we think you should have some say in how these are done.

If you want to speed group shots up it's always helpful to have ushers/bestmen/brothers or sisters who can quickly help to gather the relevant people together so we can photograph the shots as fast as possible for you.  Some couples even give the group shots to people they want to help us

So here's a selection of groups taken in different ways to give you some ideas.  For some couples a mix of very traditional line-up's (for family and elderly relatives) and some more fun ones (for friends or the bridal party) works ideally

With bride and groom photos again we will be led by you as a couple.  We certainly don't want you to feel uncomfortable so won't make you do poses and shots you're not happy with.  Our opinion is that we are there to photograph your day as it happens, not turn it into a big photoshoot that takes hours just to satisfy us.  The couples we work with tend to want photographs that show them as they are as a couple and how they are together - we think these sorts of photographs will mean more to them in years to come.  Please don't think though that we won't take you to nice areas and places for photos as we will, it's just we don't spend hours tweaking hand positions etc for each photo. 

Here are a couple of posed shots below that the couple wanted to do - as you'll see in the first one, if this was completely posed I would have moved the brides arm, tweaked the grooms jacket etc but then it would have lost the spontaneity and happiness of the couple

It's worth giving some thought to group shots and poses before the day itself and having some idea on what you like.  If you've booked us to photograph your day then we will discuss with you ideas, group shots etc a few weeks before the wedding so we know what suits you and what you'd like for your day :-)

Suffolk Wedding Photography - Rings and Hand Holding Photos

Rings and hand holding photos are always lovely to capture.  This first photo was a bride's dads wedding ring (sadly he had passed away) which she carried with her all day in her bouquet.

We don't always see engagement rings off of fingers but when we do a like getting a photo of them

Finding unusual places to put wedding rings for photos is always good fun

For this couple the shell had great significance to both them and the brides family - it was a fab and unusual ring holder

The next couple of photos were taken on the balcony of a Wedding we photographed in New York last summer.  The brides perfume also tied in lovely with our destination

Special ring cushions are often embroidered and used on the day

One of our brides even made special kneelers for her local church for their day

Holding hands can say so much - here the bridesmaids were giving encouragment and reassurance before the day began

It's always nice to photograph the bestman with the rings.  This bestman was very funny and removed the rings completely for a slightly different photo for the bride and groom

If I get the chance to photograph a bride holding on to her dad's arm before they come in I always think this is a lovely photo to have

It's rare that I can see the rings being blessed from where I'm put so this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss

Again, the ring exchange itself isn't always easy for us to see (depending on where the registrar/vicar/father etc allow me and David to stand) but when we can see it we'll take it

When couples hold hands during the ceremony it's a treat to photograph - I wouldn't have thought it possible for so many different hand holds positions unless I'd seen it!

I love, love, love walking and holding hand ones