
205
Chapter 12 ✦ Jazzing Up the Reception
Capturing the first dance and parent dance
The couple’s first dance is an emotional moment that you certainly don’t want to miss. The event nor-
mally takes place on a dance floor with the entire crowd either seated at the dinner tables or gathered on
one side of the dance area. The first time you see the event, your natural reaction may be to shoot pic-
tures from the same location as everyone else in the crowd. However, if you do this, the background to
the couple’s dancing pictures will be either the band, or a bare wall. In order to get the full story in your
images, try moving around to the other side until the crowd becomes the backdrop for the dancing
couple.
The first dance is a very personal and emotional moment much like the quiet parts of the ceremony
(see Figure 12-8). This is not a good time to put on your wide-angle lens and get out on the floor right
next to the couple; this is a good time to give them some space. Shoot with ...