SHOWCASE | FIRST DANCE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
The first dance is a very traditional part of a wedding day – I’ve been to a few where the happy couple don’t have the first dance, but 90% of the time, there is a first dance – or as I like to call it the ‘first shuffle’
The first dance is often the last ‘traditional’ bit of a wedding and the majority of couples I have photographed really don’t like the first dance.
They don’t like the attention it brings, but I always offer the same advice to every couple; start off with just the bride and groom and then, after a minute or so, start to grab other couples and get them up on the dance floor and before you know it, everyone’s up, joining in, and the happy couple can relax!
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OFF
The first dance can be very challenging to photograph; it's often dark, dark and dark!
I sometimes use flash for the first dance, mostly a simple on-camera flash set-up, but sometimes it's nice to change it up and go off-camera flash – but you have to make sure that you don’t kill the feel of the moment and that you are only adding in flash to add a little light to the couple and not to light the room.
Another potential problem with the first dance is… disco lights! these things can kill an amazing photo. When the light hits the skin of a person, it can blow out and leave harsh highlights on the face; worse still, when photographing in colour – you get the colour of the disco lights on the faces, dress and suits – it looks shite;
I will always speak to the DJ and ask them for the first dance to try and turn down the rave lights, most will turn off the overhead lights that bounce around the room, but some forget, so you have to make do!
THE FIRST DANCE IN THE GARDEN
The first dance doesn't have to be inside the venue, I love it when a couple thinks outside the box and they do things a little differently. Olivia and Ian decided they would have their first wedding dance in the park next to Bridgford Hall, where they got married.
FIRST DANCE WITH EVERYONE
Despite this photo being taken in 2016… it is still a favourite first dance shot and was taken at the wedding of Jack and Sarah – I love the depth of the picture and the fact that they are surrounded by their friends
WATCHING
I love it when you can see people straining to get a better view and when people watch the first dance in person and not through their mobile phone!