| Always Keep the Bride and Groom to the Front | | | | smaller people near the Bride and Groom and working |
| Remember, the Bride and Groom should be most | | | | towards the edges with taller people. This approach |
| prominently portrayed in every shot. When posing | | | | can give more emphasis and prominence to the Bride |
| groups you should try to avoid placing anyone | | | | and Groom. |
| directly in front of or behind the Bride and Groom. | | | | Positioning the smaller of the two nearest the |
| The only exception to this is when using steps to | | | | camera can compensate for height difference |
| compose very large groups. | | | | between the Bride and Groom. This technique, in the |
| Height Difference | | | | Brides case, will not be required too often; society |
| Another potential problem with groups is height | | | | readily accepts that on average females are smaller |
| difference. Use the potential problem of height | | | | than males. However you may encounter, as I once |
| difference to your advantage. If there are steps | | | | did, a couple where the Bride was taller and had |
| available you can use them to elevate the smaller | | | | specifically asked to be made to look smaller, even if |
| people, if not then you must arrange the group in a | | | | it meant posing her husband on a step! |
| composition which pleases the eye. | | | | The Bride |
| You can however often use height difference to | | | | Pay particular attention throughout the day to the |
| your advantage, use it by carefully positioning | | | | Brides appearance. She is the most important person |
| subjects so that their faces, when viewed together | | | | in your photographs. Before firing the shutter always |
| run in a smooth flowing composition. Do not be afraid | | | | check that she is looking her best. |
| to use the ground as a starting point for posing Bridal | | | | Pay specific attention to the stance of the Bride. She |
| party group shots. | | | | should be posed by asking her to stand at a slight |
| Bridesmaids are often asked to pose on the ground | | | | angle to the camera. The foot nearest to the |
| in front of the rest of the group. You can then build | | | | camera should be extended forward three or four |
| up the composition by placing any smaller children | | | | inches towards the camera with the knee slightly |
| next to the Bridesmaids and eventually working | | | | bent. Now ask her to transfer her weight to the foot |
| upwards using smooth flowing lines toward adults in a | | | | farthest away from the camera. |
| standing position. | | | | Her head should be turned towards the camera and |
| Some photographers will always position taller people | | | | tilted slightly. Avoid straight limbs, for example arms |
| near the center and taper off to smaller people at | | | | and wrists should always suggest a gentle curving, |
| the ends. I prefer to work on a flexible basis and | | | | almost flowing movement. |
| treat each situation independently sometimes using | | | | |