I’m so excited to be sharing a SIMPLE + EASY tip that could potentially make a huge difference in your first dance photos!! This might not apply for every photographer out there, as we all have different opinions when it comes to the style + artistry of our photos(!!), but for those who prefer a clean, crisp, bright style like we do, this tip could be a game changer!!

When I look at the photo below, I am instantly drawn to Yone’s face — the way his forehead is pressed tightly against Hannah’s + the smile he has on his face as they share an obviously special moment in their first dance : ) My eyes goes there because it is the focal point of the shot + everything else in the image helps point my eye to their faces!!

Now, look at the image below. What do you see?

If you’re anything like me, the first think you notice is the bright white spot on the woman’s face, followed by the other bright spots on their bodies below. Yikes!! Definitely distracting + not the prettiest of images. And certainly not spotting/lighting I would EVER want on our couples during their first dance photos!!

This lighting is caused by certain lights brought in by the DJ — most notably, a rotating/disco-type light!! While these lights are GREAT for setting the tone of the evening when it comes to a fun dance party, they can really hinder our shots as photographers! When Caleb + I notice a DJ turning on some sort of colored, rotating, or spotty light prior to the first dance, we will always go over + ask KINDLY if they would be willing to turn it off just during the first dance(s)! We then also explain WHY we really prefer to have it off — how it affects our photos + how for us personally + stylistically (+ what our couples are expecting from their photos), is a clean, distraction-free shot that portrays nothing but the love + emotion felt + shared during their first dance!! We also make it very clear that as soon as the first dance(s) are over, we WANT the DJ to get those fun lights going!! For the remainder of the dancing pictures, we actually like having their lights on because A. that is their job + their lighting is a huge part of their DJ experience! + B. it helps us to accurately capture the feeling + environment of the dance floor at each couple’s wedding! Does that make sense?!

Long story short, here’s the tip: keep the dance floor light as neutral as possible for the first dance(s) so that the focus of the images are on nothing but the couple + the moments they are sharing!!

Finally, just for fun, isn’t it crazy what lights can do in a shot?! (see below) hehe! Happy Wednesday!