Wedding Dance Floor Photography
One of the best things (the bestest thing?) about the end of Covid restrictions has been seeing people back on the dance floor. It’s a microcosm of life and emotion – somewhere people can really be themselves and let their guard down… which makes for great photos. I’ve shot all sorts of dancing over the years – Ceilidh, Bollywood and Lindy-Hop and this is always my favourite part of the day (even though I’m pretty exhausted by this stage of the day)
What are you looking for on the dance floor?
As always – in true documentary wedding photographer style – I’m looking to make photos that show you how it felt to be there in the middle of it – I’m looking for interesting moments and personalities and capturing the atmosphere.
I just insert myself into the action with a camera. I love the ambience of the natural light. I take loads of photos, because the light is constantly shifted and try to ‘catch’ interesting light.
So I don’t do that thing where I set up 4 different flashes on each corner of the dancefloor – or even fire one flash into peoples faces (that’s too invasive!)
Sometimes if it really is too dark I’ll use bounce flash. And if it’s really dark and the ceiling is high I’ll delve into other techniques. But I like the natural look, even if it does get a bit grainy and blurry at times
What lighting set-ups do you use to photograph the wedding dance floor?
I just insert myself into the action with a camera. I love the ambience of the natural light. I take loads of photos, because the light is constantly shifted and try to ‘catch’ interesting light.
So I don’t do that thing where I set up 4 different flashes on each corner of the dancefloor – or even fire one flash into peoples faces (that’s too invasive!)
Sometimes if it really is too dark I’ll use bounce flash. And if it’s really dark and the ceiling is high I’ll delve into other techniques. But I like the natural look, even if it does get a bit grainy and blurry at times
WTF – Why?
Mainly a taste thing – have loads of influences outside wedding photography. And photographers I really admire like Joseph Koudelka, Roy DeCarava – they’d have just shown how it felt, and picked up the ambience.
Also modern cameras are so good – and setting up flash depends on people standing in certain places…. So I’d miss tons because the light wasn’t right for that shot, or shadow was falling where I didn’t want it.
Anyway, here’s some photos – enjoy!
