Some (myself included) would argue that the first kiss is the pinnacle of the wedding day. It is the high point, the climax of the story of the day. And as far as photos go, it is kind of the money shot. No, it’s probably not the photo you will print as a canvas and have hanging on your wall. You might not even put it in your album. But I guarantee that you will notice if it isn’t there.

From the photographer’s perspective, the first kiss can be a challenge to capture. It’s quick, it’s sometimes not announced, sometimes there are obstructions…there’s a lot going on in that one second of your day that might make easy to miss.

So what can we do? Three things:

1. HOLD FOR A THREE COUNT. This is what I tell my couples. The first kiss should be somewhere in the middle between the way you kiss your auntie and a full-fledge make-out session. That seems to be a three-second hold, which gives a good amount of time to get the shot.

2. DO IT TWICE. Kiss once. Hug. Kiss again. I’ve seen couples do this actually quite a bit, and it’s a nice set-up for a whole series of nice, romantic photos that are a ton of fun.

3. GO UNPLUGGED. I try really hard not to be THAT photographer. I generally don’t mind cameras out—in fact, I probably give too much unsolicited photography advice to people who are taking pictures, too (it’s the teacher in me). I can shoot around pretty much anyone any part of the day…however, during the first kiss when time of the essence, that “no big deal” can become a quick interference. Having an unplugged ceremony would take one possible distraction out of the equation.

The end of your ceremony and the beginning of your forever rests gently on the lips of your first kiss…let’s do everything we can to save the moment and the memory.