IN THE BASILICA BY THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN FÁTIMA
The photo is of the bride entering the big door of the Basilica of Fatima
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
The wedding photographer and those who also like to photograph the bride entering the church
The wedding photographer is used to facing many challenges throughout the wedding day, from managing light and guest movement to the pressure of capturing unrepeatable moments. But there is a particularly curious and recurring situation: guests who, holding their smartphones or cameras, also try to capture the most symbolic moments, like the bride’s arrival at the church.
This reality, far from uncommon, raises an almost philosophical question about the democratisation of wedding photography and the role of the professional photographer in a scenario where everyone becomes, albeit briefly, a “photographer”.
The “Kodak moment”: a human and emotional impulse
Since the beginning of photography, there’s been an innate urge to preserve moments. The so-called “Kodak moment”, a term popularised by the brand’s marketing, captures this impulse: to capture that magical, emotional, meaningful second. The bride’s arrival, the kiss after the wedding ceremony, the mother’s tears, the groom’s hug to his grandfather — everything seems worth recording.
In this context, it is natural that, throughout the wedding day, the professional photographer is accompanied by several spontaneous “colleagues”. Many of these wedding guests genuinely want to actively participate in the event’s visual record, creating a peculiar environment of collaboration… and sometimes, competition.
A real challenge: capturing the moment without interruption
Moments like the bride’s entrance or exit from the church are especially critical. Several times, right when the photographer positions to capture a key moment, an enthusiastic guest appears in front. Cameras raised, improvised poses, poorly calculated angles — and in a second, the photographer’s vision is blocked.
The initial frustration is understandable. After all, it’s the wedding photographer’s work and responsibility at stake. However, with time and experience, one learns to anticipate these situations, adapt angles, change positions, and often, turn that obstacle into a visual opportunity.
Turning the challenge into an opportunity
Interestingly, some of these unexpected moments end up resulting in wedding photographs with great aesthetic and narrative value. By including those “amateur photographers” in the frame, the professional not only documents the event but also how it is experienced by those present.
Common examples of this phenomenon:
- Guests lined up with phones raised to capture the bride’s entrance
- Children imitating adults with disposable cameras
- Curious grandparents filming everything with tablets
This spontaneity, when well-framed, adds an authentic and emotional touch to the final images. It reveals that more than spectators, guests are active and emotional participants in the wedding’s story.
A photograph with journalistic intent
One particularly memorable situation was at Igreja Matriz de Fátima, during the bride’s arrival. Realising that the Basilica’s entrance was filled with guests eager to capture the moment, I quickly decided to step back and include everyone’s eyes and phones aimed at the protagonist in my composition. The result? A strong wedding photojournalism image, where the emotion is conveyed not only by the bride’s presence but also by those eagerly waiting for her.
When everyone wants to be a photographer
Something is touching in this collective desire to capture. The camera — or today, the smartphone — creates an invisible but powerful link between the one who captures and the one being captured. On a wedding day, this link feels even more intense. The impulse to shoot is, ultimately, an attempt to prolong something ephemeral.
Pros and cons of amateur photographers:
- Pros:
- Alternative and unexpected records
- Emotional and personal perspectives
- Extra content for the couple
- Cons:
- Interference with professional work
- Risk of obstructing key shots
- Distraction during solemn moments
The mission of the wedding photographer
Despite all these interferences and challenges, the wedding photographer has a clear mission: to capture the day’s essence with quality, sensitivity, and technique. That means knowing how to deal with the unexpected, adapting to circumstances, and, whenever possible, turning chaos into art.
While guests capture fragments, the professional tells the complete story. That’s the difference between taking pictures and crafting intentional, purposeful, and emotional wedding photography.
Conclusion: respecting the moment, trusting the professional
Although it’s natural for guests to want to capture their moments, it’s essential to remember that the hired photographer is responsible for documenting the day professionally. The ideal is to strike a balance, respecting the spaces and moments reserved for the skilled lens of someone who knows how to eternalise emotions in images.
Come talk to me
Getting married and want your day captured with emotion, professionalism, and quality? Contact me. As an experienced wedding photographer, I’m ready to tell the story of your day with sensitivity and creativity — even when others try to capture the same moment. Let’s talk?