Shooting weddings while social distancing. How would that even look, photographing while keeping space?
While I am one of the photographers so excited to get back to working weddings, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little concerned about how this is going to change my method of photography. I pride myself on my candids and my editorial detail shots, both of which might be a little different if we can’t get close enough to fully celebrate…
…or will it?
It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that my depth perception is nonexistent. So what does six feet really look like? How might that impact wedding photography? What lens might be best?
I decided to check it out. I set up a focal point (my spiffy new “Long Live Small Business” mug) and I measured six feet away from it. I tried each one of my “regular” lenses—35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 105mm) to see what results each one produced at a distance. Here were the results:
What does this mean in the big picture?
1.) I HAVE BEEN SOCIAL DISTANCING BEFORE IT WAS COOL
Six feet seemed close. Way close. I might occasionally get a little closer, but I feel after this experiment that I rarely got within six feet of clients before now, anyway. My favorite lens is my 85mm, and that one requires a little distance for it to focus properly anyway. If I need to “be closer,” I’ll use my 105mm (which is what I use for details, and it has just a little more length to zoom in a bit more if need be).
2.) THIS IS A GREAT EXCUSE TO WORK THE WIDE ANGLE
I have never hid my love of my wide angle lenses or shots; I think they are just the coolest. The best way to make the most out of this not optimal situation might just be to hone in on finding those dramatic establishing shots that are always welcomed in my galleries.
3.) NEW TRICKS, NEW TRENDS
Necessity is the mother of invention, so the need to stay apart and socially distance might push some new and interesting trends in photography (no, I don’t mean mask shots, either). This is a chance for wedding photographers to get a new kind of creative, and I am kind of excited to that opportunity.
No matter what, though, we wedding photographers will be there to capture your day. It doesn’t matter how different the plan looks, it will all be beautiful, and we will be there to make your moments lifetime memories.
Kayla Lee is a Minnesota-based wedding and elopement photographer. She provides services to elegant, authentic, sentimental couples who not only choose their own adventures, but also live them to the fullest!
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