Ever film a wedding where the couple wants to see each other before the ceremony? That’s a first look, and this is how we shoot one.
This is also the first video in a new behind the scenes series. Instead of one enormous thirty minute or hour long BTS, I’m breaking it into smaller topics like this one.
Scout The Spot First
Here’s the venue. We’re going to put the groom behind these two trees, standing slightly in the shadow so he picks up nice back light from the sun. Then the bride comes around from the front entrance, walks up behind him, taps him on the shoulder, and he turns around.
Two things we’re weighing when we pick the spot.
First, don’t make them walk far. It’s tempting to find the most beautiful patch of ground on the property, but you’re asking a bride in a full dress to hike to it.
Second, and this matters more: this is the first time these two are seeing each other on their wedding day. It’s a big deal. So we let them see each other, and then we back off and let them just be together for a few minutes. Only after that do we step in and start directing, okay, come over here, let’s get some clips of the two of you. The moment comes first, the coverage comes second.
Mic The Groom
The other thing we prioritise heavily is putting a mic on the groom before any of this happens.
This is the moment they see each other. They’re going to be emotional, they’re going to be talking, they’re probably going to be crying. You want that audio. I use a Tascam DR-10L, clipped on and tucked into an inside pocket, which also picks up the bride perfectly well once they’re standing together.
Do it early and do it casually, so that by the time it matters he’s forgotten it’s there. He will tell you he’s going to forget about it. That’s the goal.
I put together Xtra Atto Camera Settings That Make It Look Cinematic as well, which covers the part I skipped over here.
Two Cameras, 60 Frames
Rachel takes the groom and gets him positioned by the trees. I go and find the bride and follow her around.
We both shoot the whole thing at 60 frames per second. It’s a big emotional moment and slowing it down makes it look considerably better. Here’s what was on screen for this one:
- Sony a7S II
- MattFlat picture profile
- 1080p at 60fps
- Sigma 24mm at f8
- ISO 200
The full camera and lens kit is here.
Then Get Out Of The Way
As she approaches I stop her briefly so the two of us can move past and get into position, then it’s whenever she’s ready. Tell her she’s doing great and that you’ll shout if anything’s wrong, which it won’t be. It is a very simple event to shoot. It’s just a magical one.
And then you stop working for a minute. They talk, they cry, he tells her he had no idea what her dress looked like, there’s a gift involved that had already set one of them off before any of this started. None of that is yours to direct. Roll, stay back, and let it happen.
Five minutes later we picked up and carried on with the day.
Caitlin and Tanner’s full wedding film is worth watching if you want to see where these shots ended up.