Hey, photographers! If you’re reading this post, I assume that you have a client who’s booked a wedding with you, and their location is the temple! Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints usually have their wedding ceremony in temples, which can sometimes be tricky to photograph. While every wedding is unique, there is a pretty standard routine for temple exits. However, if you’re not familiar with it you might miss an important moment! Luckily, I have photographed a temple exit or two, and I want to share some of the things I’ve learned! In this blog post, I’m talking all about tips for capturing a temple exit.

The Actual Exit

When photographing a temple exit, the most important thing to capture is the actual moment when the couple comes out of the temple doors. Usually, there is a crowd of friends and family waiting outside for the new bride and groom. There will be cheers and celebration, and the couple might cheer with them, or they might lean in for a big kiss. However the couple chooses to celebrate, the important part is that you focus on them and their reaction. The exit photo is the equivalence of the kiss after a civil ceremony - it’s a super important shot! So double check your settings and make sure you and your second shooter have great angles to capture the exit in all its glory.

Friends and Family

Like I mentioned, most newlyweds will have a group of people who will stand outside the temple doors and wait for the couple to exit. Some of these friends and family will have been in the wedding ceremony, and some will just have come for the couple’s exit. Either way, the people who are there are most likely some of the closest friends and family to the bride and groom. I always think it’s fun to take a few photos of the different groups of people excitedly waiting for the couple. Sometimes these end up being the most memorable shots, so don’t underestimate their importance! The bride and groom will enjoy seeing photos of their loved ones who came to support them.

After the Exit

When the initial cheers and clapping are over, the bride and groom may want to hug or say hi to their friends and family. These interactions are sometimes tender and emotional, like an embrace between the bride and her mother, or the groom and his best man. As the photographer, you will really want to be on your toes so you don’t miss an important moment. If you feel like you’re getting a lot of the same shot, try taking a step back and including a few oohing and awing bystanders in the frame. Or if you’ve taken a few of those, try getting closer to the couple and really focusing on their expressions. Most temples ask you to take group photos somewhere other than outside the doors where the couple exits. The busiest of temples have four brides married every fifteen minutes and only one set of doors for the newlyweds to exit through. So as soon as the initial hugs and cheers are over, you’ll need to speedily head to a different group photo location so the next couple can exit!

The Group Photos

After the bride and groom have had the chance to greet their friends and family and you’ve walked to your group location, you can start directing people for group photos. You’re probably familiar with taking group photos, but in case you need a refresher, the most important thing is to be direct! People are usually good to do whatever you ask, they just need to be directed there. My best tip for group photos at the temple is to start with everyone, then narrow it down to individual groups like bridesmaids, grandparents, or siblings. That way, not everyone has to stay for all the photos.

Of course, every wedding will be different because every couple is different! But hopefully these tips help you get prepared to take pictures at the temple. Have you photographed a temple exit? What other advice would you add to this list?