At any wedding, during that special 'first dance' which kicks off the evening reception, all eyes are always on the bride and groom as they take to the floor. What that means, as a wedding photographer, is that you need to have YOUR eyes not only on the dancing, but on the audience reactions.... such as in this lovely image taken at a recent Dorset wedding, as a guest clasps her hands in delight whilst watching the bride and groom kick off the evening celebrations.
Photographing the first dance can be a particularly challenging part of a wedding day, for whilst the first dance is undoubtedly special for every bride and groom, not every first dance provides winning moments for the camera! Depending upon the couple, some choose to take it slow and steady, whilst others whirl around the dancefloor in a blur... and many more others call the guests onto the dancefloor very quickly so that they don't feel so alone, meaning that those 'first dance' shots have to be taken very quickly before the wedding couple disappear into the crowd!
If you're planning your first dance, don't forget that if you want lovely photographs of it, please do make sure you allow enough time for the photographer to get the shots you want. I know it can feel terrifying up there with all eyes upon you, but don't forget... everyone is on your side! It's not a dancing competition (unless you want it to be!) so just enjoy the moment for as long as you can. You'll only ever get one first dance as a married couple.... so three minutes isn't that long in the scheme of things, is it?
I love this first dance image, which was photographed at a tipi wedding reception in Tarrant Monkon in Dorset, as it shows a different aspect of the moment, seen from the guest's view. Oh, and that reminds me.... if you're a wedding guest and gathered to watch the first dance.... then please do watch! As you see, you may well end up in the wedding album... and you don't want to be captured forever checking your phone, biting your nails or picking something out of your teeth!
