The Kiss

The kiss. Don’t mess up when capturing the bride and groom’s first kiss. Positions will shift for this shot as the second shooter stands near the lead. In this stacked position, if the lead shooter is using a 24-70mm lens, then the second shooter should capture the moment using a 70-200mm lens, and vice versa.

Here are the lenses, settings, and positions/shots to consider when capturing the kiss:

LENSES

  • LEAD: 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 24mm TS-E (risky)
  • SECOND: 70-200mm (most often), 24-70mm (back-up)
  • THIRD: 24-70mm, 70-200mm (ultra-wide or artistic)

SETTINGS

  • SHUTTER SPEEDS: Ideally (1/500+) low-light (1/160+)
  • EXPOSURE: Max histogram without clipping shadows (highlight alert always on!)

POSITIONS/SHOTS

  • LEAD: Front Aisle (wide, medium, tight), prep recessional
  • SECOND: Front aisle supplementary lens, then crowd
  • THIRD: Ultra-wide/artistic, then crowd

PRO TIP: Ask the officiant before the ceremony if he or she would not mind stepping out of the frame after announcing the first kiss. The production value increases when the bride and groom are featured during the kiss without the distraction of the officiant standing in the background.