Today, let’s examine one of the ‘must-have’ images in a wedding photographer’s repertoire, photographing the First Kiss in a wedding ceremony.

It’s a key photo that every wedding photographer must include. However, it can be challenging to achieve it. The positioning is crucial to making the best of it and yet we are often restricted on where we are able or allowed to stand. It’s the stuff of anxiety dreams for wedding photographers.

So for this Farmers’ Image Of The Week, let’s take a masterclass in First Kiss photography from the very brilliant Duo, Jo Plus Liam.

Multiple elements clinch the title for this image. First is the impeccable timing and understanding of light. Jo has harnessed the ambient light to highlight the couple’s embrace, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s the kind of light that flatters, adding a softness to the scene and a glow to the subjects, which is no easy feat to achieve in ceremonies where we are often dealing with low light or a mixture of light sources.

The glowy softness is further emphasised with the lens choice – by using an 85mm at its widest aperture, Jo ramps up the romance.

The composition deserves a shout-out too. The couple is framed perfectly, with the arch and floral arrangements creating a natural border that draws the eye right to the couple’s locked embrace. This is a testament to Jo’s ability to anticipate an important action and position herself in the optimum space.

Then there’s the emotion. This isn’t just any kiss; it’s like a movie kiss – this couple is deeply connected to the point that they are locked together, not just in the kiss but also with their intertwined hands. This level of candid emotion is something that every wedding photographer aims to capture, and it’s been executed beautifully here.

Is there anything we can do to ensure that we also nail the First Kiss Photo? This one tip has helped me over the years with this particular photo. Prime your couples by telling them to linger in this moment, to not rush the kiss. It’s hard to do much with a quick peck but if they can stay in their embrace a little longer, the chances of them getting a great photo increases.

Kudos to Jo Plus Liam for a job well done. It’s these kinds of images that inspire us all to keep pushing the creative boundaries of wedding photography.