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If you’ve got a passion for photography too, and you’re attending a marriage ceremony, please bring a camera and take some shots! We certainly don’t mind — and, if there are any that the bride and groom love, we’ll include them on the CD, slide show and possibly the album. To gear up for the big day, you can always check out a photography book or search online to point you through the day.

Here’s one tip. For both the church and the reception area, grab a seat near the center aisle: you can really grab some great shots of the bride coming down the aisle. Naturally, you would not want to block the main wedding photographer (me!) since I’m the one designated by the happy couple to capture the day. But shoot away otherwise!

Also, try and bring your zoom lens to get close ups of the couple — and to capture their faces. Priceless! Whenever possible, remember to take your photos portrait style (with the camera held vertically). This really helps capture the couple and their outfits in all their radiance.

We’re proud of the high quality equipment we use. But as for the wedding photojournalism itself, it isn’t the instrument that’s most important. It’s what we do with it.

It isn’t even the wedding photography that’s the wedding photographer’s most important role. It’s the wedding story to which the photographs give life.

I adore weddings. I am invited to be a fly on the wall. My goal is accomplished when a bride says they didn’t even realize I was there… but they’re so glad I was.

The most significant thing is to get photos that friends and family can cherish. The heart and soul of picture taking is documentary in nature. It’s recording history. That’s why the interactions between the bride and her family and the groom and his are so important. It’s especially satisfying to capture moments when the bride interacts with some of the youngest or the oldest people at the wedding. Showing the interplay of generations is genuinely significant to me, and brides — even if they didn’t know I was taking the picture — are truly touched.

Capitalize on this special opportunity, whether you are marrying or have a family member getting married, a wedding is a great time for a family photo.

Families come together at weddings and people who haven’t seen one another in years reunite. A wedding is almost like a family reunion! But at a family reunion, many people are not even in nice clothes. If you decide to take a family photo at a wedding, you’ll know that at least the majority of your family members will be dressed elegantly.

If you are the bride or groom, then you are able to easily acquire a family photo done by the photographer. He may have ideas for wedding family photos that he can share with you. If it is a large family, you may need almost the entire front of the church to accommodate everyone. If you have a smaller family, you could be able to do something interesting with a unique idea for a wedding family photo. If there are just a few of you, you could do something interesting on a staircase or in front of the altar, for instance.

If you’re not the bride or groom, you may also be able to obtain a family photo from the photographer. While the priority is on capturing the couple’s special day, there is usually plenty of time to accommodate others. Just ask!

Be creative wherever you choose to have your family photo!