WHO SAYS WHAT by the PORTUGAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

A few photos while the bride’s father speaks at his daughter’s wedding reception in Nazaré, Portugal

• Pode ler este artigo em Português. 

Telling all the stories as part of the photographer’s job

I’ve written about it here before—how much I enjoy photographing the moments of a speech during or after the wedding meal.

We don’t always get one, much to the wedding photographer’s disappointment, but when it does happen, we might see a shy father, at the very least showing how proud he is to be there in that moment; another one, chatty and cheerful, telling every story he can remember about his son or daughter; someone with a knack for jokes, cracking up the guests; or the one who gets choked up, voice trembling with a simple “thank you” that ends up saying everything the others expressed with ease and lots of words.

But in these moments of speech, the speaker isn’t the only focus for the wedding photographer. Running to catch the eyes of the ones being spoken about is just as important. And if I make it in time—and if my overly nervous right index finger doesn’t jump before time—they are taking in every word spoken by someone so dear to them.

A moment full of emotion

They’re eyes fill with tears—of emotion first, and then, depending on the speaker’s talent, tears of laughter. In other words, emotional tears, the kind the wedding photographer loves most.

This might be the most emotionally intense moment the photographer’s cameras and lenses capture throughout the celebration. At least in terms of emotional bonds. The other moments—more about joy, dancing, hugs, and kisses—are about seizing the fun, the physical expression of happiness because we never know when we’ll all be together again.

To the wedding photographer on duty, those are moments not to be missed. I call it abundance—abundance of the very thing I love. A lot of it.

Point by point:

• The speech time, usually during the wedding dinner, is something I always hope will happen.
• Wedding speeches vary greatly and, what matters to the wedding photographer, is that they spark all kinds of reactions:
  • The shy father of the bride or groom simply thanks everyone for being there.
  • The talker, turning everything into conversation.
  • The comedian made everyone at the wedding burst out laughing.
  • The sentimental one, with a tear in everyone’s eye.
• For me, the wedding photographer, it’s not the speaker that matters most. But when the speaker is expressive, the reactions of the couple, family, and guests often give me some of the best photos of the day.
• The emotions of the day can surface with the right words from the one making the speech during the wedding celebration.
• The photos I get from those moments are unmissable.

You need to know:

• It’s the only thing I regret about weddings in Portugal—our habit of not giving speeches during dinner. Everything else is perfect for me, but when everyone finishes filling their bellies and no one picks up the microphone, it feels like something important is missing.

• You can’t imagine what it’s like going from table to table, capturing reactions, attention, laughter, and other emotions stirred by a good speaker. I always feel my work is more complete when that happens.

With or without speeches, there are so many other stories that make up the wedding day—your wedding day. Come meet with me so I can tell you more about them and show you the many wedding photos and albums I have ready to share.