Photo courtesy of Johnny Michelle wedding photos
Taking photos and videos with your smartphones at a wedding can be both a blessing and a curse. Smartphones are a truly awesome and convenient way to instantly capture all those special moments and share them with your friends. But don't be that person that blocks everyone behind you. Or the one taking selfies during the vows. Here's a top 10 list of smartphone etiquette for weddings, so you don't annoy the couple and all the other guests.
1. Hold the phone sideways
Have you ever seen a Hollywood film with black bars on the side? Thats what your footage is going to look like if you hold your phone vertically. Make sure to hold the phone sideways, so the video clips will look good in wedding video later.
Hold the phone like this:
photo courtesy of Kelly Pettis Photography
2. Don't photobomb the vows
The couple most likely hired a professional photographer; they really don't need you getting all up in their business while they're saying the vows.
Let the couple have their moment and stay back with the crowd in your seats, unlike this goofy incident of a baby upstaging a couple's vows:
3. No iPads
Really? There's no way to not be obnoxious when filming with a big honking iPad. Just get a camera or smartphone at that point.
photo courtesy of Kelly Pettis Photography
4. Don't block the people behind you during the ceremony
Grandma won't like being stuck behind the "paparazzi" during the ceremony. So if you want to take video during the ceremony, sit on an aisle and be aware of the people behind you.
Also, some photographers sit in the back of the church and use a long lens to capture the ceremony. Make sure you're not blocking their shot!
"The first kiss is not something you can ask the couple to repeat. Every couple wants that magical first kiss photo from their photographer. They would probably love it if the guests would stay seated and witness the ceremony, and not block the aisle during these once-in-a-lifetime moments." suggests photographer, Dawn Davis.
5. Be your own tripod
If you're taking video clips longer than a few seconds, your hands will naturally start to drift downwards. Best bet is to be a tripod: grip the phone with both hands and gently brace your elbows against the top of ribs. This is super important to remember whilst filming the first dance!
6. Don't videobomb the first dance
If the couple has a videographer, the first dance will be incredibly important to them. I understand that you want to film it too, so you can post to Facebook, Instagram, etc. but please don't videobomb this intimate moment for them.
Photographer Kelly Pettis suggests, "While photographers appreciate the guests' excitement, it's best if the guests stay behind the photographer during momentous moments of the wedding -- the ceremony, first dance, speeches and cake cutting. It's especially helpful if they turn off their flashes, as the extra light can mess up what would have been a gorgeous photo."
7. Enjoy the reception -- don't stand against the wall commenting on photos
Your friends spent a small fortune on this reception. Don't spend the night standing against the wall, on your smartphone, commenting on the photos uploaded by your other friends at the party you are now attending. Live it and have fun!
8. Shut up
If you're going to take video at someone's wedding... shut up while filming. They really don't need your commentary.
9. Upload it, don't text it
Texted photos and videos are great for sharing but not so great when you try to do anything with that footage . You can't edit a texted video clip, unless you're okay with looking like a Lego figure in your wedding video. If you want to share photos and videos with the bride, upload the full resolution files to a shared album, so they can include the clips in their wedding video later.
10. Your boobs are not a home for your smartphone
As a wedding video editor, I've seen many a clip of bridesmaids grabbing their smartphones from in between their boobage. I don't care HOW much you need to update your Facebook status -- wedding day boobs are for fun, not to hold your phone.
- Don't out the couple on social media. Let the couple show off the photos and videos most important to them before you out them on Facebook.
- Don't ask the photographer to film something for you. That's not their job.