The Unpopular Opinion: Hold that Kiss!

An outdoor garden wedding ceremony takes place under a wooden pergola with guests seated on white chairs.

Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson, NH

Year 2024 was TOUGH

This year made me want to have the conversation about slowing down in life; in particular the ceremony and the first kiss. With each passing year, these ceremonies are beginning to feel transactional; get in, blink, get out and it's over.

Year 2024 was TOUGH

too many close calls

I've noticed, this year in particular, had my anxiety and nerves on the very edge of a cliff. As I stare down this foreign edge, gripping my camera with sweaty hands, I am faced with a decision of just getting the moment or being able to capture multitude of angles and potential moments. As I shove down the chance of the latter and as the words "...and now you may kiss!" brought me back to reality, I pressed down on the button watching in horror the tiny peck before me.

Outdoor wedding ceremony under metal gazebo with attendees in mint green dresses during sunset.

Granite Rose by Wedgewood Weddings in Hampstead, New Hampshire

left with one photo

As I gave my nervous smile to the last member walking down to celebration, I was left to quickly scramble back to that moment. As the screen illuminates, my heart pounding out of my chest, the first kiss was locked in. I breathed out a sigh of relief and realized the hardest part was over. Another successful moment of press down and pray.

Wedding ceremony taking place outdoors beneath white draped arch with wedding party members in pink and blue attire.

Birch Hill Farm in Gilford, New Hampshire

A romantic wedding ceremony kiss at a stone wall backdrop with pampas grass and floral arch decorations.

Searles Castle in Windham, New Hampshire

I may never get a chance again

In the early days of my career, I had a fright of a lifetime from an elopement held at a museum. It was supposed to be standard routine of waiting in anticipation, my shutter finger ready to press, holding my breath as the closing words slipped past the officiant's lips. Click, click, click, click, click... the sound echoed through the empty halls of the museum. I smiled in excitement, flipped through the photos and as quickly as the photos passed my eyes, it was as quickly my face fell to the ground.

I didn't get it.

I may never get a chance again

I didn't get it.

Couple sharing a romantic moment under a hexagonal wooden arch adorned with white flowers during an outdoor wedding ceremony.

Kitz Farm in Strafford, New Hampshire

"Do it again!"

I believe that was the beginning of witnessing peck kissing as I trudged through the years of getting to where I am now. I didn't let a single second more, pass until I announced for them to kiss again. A much better outcome this time around but a chance I may never get again in difference circumstances.

Wedding ceremony outdoors on a sunny day with couple exchanging vows under trees as guests watch from lawn chairs.

Kitz Farm in Strafford, New Hampshire

hold it for 3 seconds or share a few

Sharing a kiss in front of an audience poses its own set of challenges for people. It's rather awkward for some, nerve-wrecking for a few, and most just want to rush through. Holding your kiss for at least 3 COMPLETE seconds OR share a few kisses between smiles ensures that it will be captured beautifully. This also reduces any chance of not capturing it properly or being left with a single photo.

A wedding ceremony takes place outdoors under a rustic wooden arch decorated with flowers among birch trees.

Tilton, New Hampshire

possible moments

Earlier we discussed multitude of angles and potential moments that could be captured when you hold that kiss long enough. Let's review some of those possibilities:

wide angle photo of the kiss with partial wedding party in view
close up photo of the kiss for a more personal moment
a chance to pan over to the audience to capture smiles, cheers, crying, etc.
you give the officiant an opportunity to move to the side
if a second photographer is present, they could capture the first kiss from the opposite perspective (audience in the background)

possible moments

Earlier we discussed multitude of angles and potential moments that could be captured when you hold that kiss long enough. Let's review some of those possibilities:

wide angle photo of the kiss with partial wedding party in view
close up photo of the kiss for a more personal moment
a chance to pan over to the audience to capture smiles, cheers, crying, etc.
you give the officiant an opportunity to move to the side
if a second photographer is present, they could capture the first kiss from the opposite perspective (audience in the background)

A romantic outdoor wedding ceremony takes place in a garden with tall evergreen trees and lush landscaping in the background.

The Red Barn at Outlook Farm in South Berwick, Maine

this is just the beginning

Not holding the kiss are one of the few issues I am bringing to light when it comes to ceremonies and the wedding industry as a whole. With people's goal of making the ceremony as short as possible, the bare minimum is done just to make sure key moments are captured. That is not okay with me and it shouldn't be with you either.

this is just the beginning

take pride in the work we do

Bottomline, let's step back and recognize we need to take pride in our photos. I want you to be able to look back and see all the incredible moments captured by remembering to slow down and to enjoy the moment with your partner.