If you’re a wedding photographer in a creative rut, stuck on what to do before shooting a wedding, or simply curious how I shot my favorite wedding photos this year, this post is for you.

As someone who lives and breathes wedding photography, every year brings new moments that surprise me, challenge me, and remind me why I love what I do. In this post, I’m walking you through how I shot my favorite wedding photos this year—from detail shots with fake grass and flash, to candid family moments, to drone photography that elevated entire galleries.

Why These Shots Stood Out

 

These weren’t just technically good images—they were emotional, intentional, and often required patience, planning, or on-the-fly creativity. Whether it was wedding photography in bad light or prepping to shoot a wedding under tight timelines, these photos reflect a blend of experience and experimentation.

“Sometimes the best photos happen when you’re not overthinking it—just paying attention.”

Behind the Scenes: Favorite Wedding Photo Moments

• Groom Shot at 200mm: Using a Canon 70-200mm lens, I captured a groom’s emotional reaction mid-aisle—compressed tree lines and buttery bokeh made it one of my all-time favorites.

• Drone Flat Lay at Whitehall: This styled shoot needed vendor collaboration, preset tweaking, and windy day patience. The result? A cascading table design that looks straight out of a magazine.

• Quiet Ceremony Setup: Shot with a drone, I leaned into natural shadows and clean composition to evoke calm and intentionality.

• Second Shooting Creativity: Without pressure to get “the shot,” I captured some of my most relaxed and creative work as a second shooter using a 35mm lens.

• Barn Wedding Cheers: From the top floor of a barn, I caught a completely candid moment of the couple mid-toast—an angle I hadn’t planned, but now treasure.

Techniques I Tried and Loved

• Long Exposure at Reception: Blending motion with stillness using a tripod and manual settings.

• Styled Detail Shot with Flash: I used a fake grass base, elevated aperture, and intentional color balancing for a flat lay that became my favorite of the year.

• Multigenerational Family Portrait: A beautiful black-and-white moment of three women capturing the bride on their phones. “It reminded me to shoot like this was my own family.”

Lessons for Fellow Photographers

If you’re wondering how I shoot a wedding day while juggling time, light, and client expectations, know this: planning matters, but staying open to the moment matters more.

Here are a few takeaways:

• Don’t fear wedding photography in bad light—there’s always something you can do with what you have.

• Incorporate new tools (like drones or flash) during editorial shoots to practice before wedding day chaos.

• Use downtime during second shooting or engagement sessions to test new angles and poses.

Watch the YouTube video all about this here:

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