Advice on shooting couples when there is substantial height difference

Peter Szilveszter · August 19th, 2008, 10:13 PM

Hi everyone

After seeing that thread on larger people I was interested to see how people tackle shooting where there is quiet a difference in height between the couple. For the first time I have a wedding coming up with a couple with exactly this challenge.

Thanks in advance.

Don Bloom · August 19th, 2008, 10:29 PM

a couple of years ago I didone where the groom was 6'4" and the bride was an even 5' with heels.
Well during the ceremony there isn't much you can do. It is what it is.
AFTER though, it is a challengeso here's one thing well 2 actually that I did.
First, the photog and I had the groom stand down 1 or 2 stairs on the altar for the formal shots and for more casual stuff we had him sit on a chair or knee wall (outdoors at a park) or a bench etc. For a few shots we had them behind some bushes that came up to his waist and practically covered her up BUT my good friend the photg had a small step stool and we had her stand on that to even them up. They understood the height difference so it wasn't an issue to have them evened out. Of course we also did some 'normal stuff' but the 1stdance was a bit problematic but again it was what it was.
Good luck,
Don

Peter Szilveszter · August 19th, 2008, 10:35 PM

I am tempted to think Dutch angles as long as there is no lines v/h in the background but I use Dutch very sparsely so not a great solution.

Marcus Marchesseault · August 20th, 2008, 12:22 AM

I shoot with a monopod and go to lower or higher angles to help equalize subjects of different height. It works especially well to put the camera up to about 7 feet (~2m) and shoot towards the bride over the taller groom's shoulder. If you can imagine this angle, it is from behind the groomsmen and shoots toward the bride's parents. I think it is the perfect shot for a wedding day, besides down the aisle for the kiss, as it gets the best emotional reactions from the bride with her family and groom looking on.

Danny O'Neill · August 20th, 2008, 05:02 AM

I did a lot of dutch and also just keep well back. Couldnt figure what else to do.

August 19th, 2008, 10:13 PM	#1
Peter Szilveszter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 194	Advice on shooting couples when there is substantial height difference Hi everyone After seeing that thread on larger people I was interested to see how people tackle shooting where there is quiet a difference in height between the couple. For the first time I have a wedding coming up with a couple with exactly this challenge. Thanks in advance. __________________ www.livinglens.com.au \| www.livinglens.com.au/blog

August 19th, 2008, 10:35 PM	#3
Peter Szilveszter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 194	I am tempted to think Dutch angles as long as there is no lines v/h in the background but I use Dutch very sparsely so not a great solution. __________________ www.livinglens.com.au \| www.livinglens.com.au/blog

August 20th, 2008, 05:02 AM	#5
Danny O'Neill Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Luton, UK Posts: 160	I did a lot of dutch and also just keep well back. Couldnt figure what else to do. __________________ www.mintyslippers.com \| www.mintyslippers.com/blog

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August 19th, 2008, 10:29 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,714	a couple of years ago I didone where the groom was 6'4" and the bride was an even 5' with heels. Well during the ceremony there isn't much you can do. It is what it is. AFTER though, it is a challengeso here's one thing well 2 actually that I did. First, the photog and I had the groom stand down 1 or 2 stairs on the altar for the formal shots and for more casual stuff we had him sit on a chair or knee wall (outdoors at a park) or a bench etc. For a few shots we had them behind some bushes that came up to his waist and practically covered her up BUT my good friend the photg had a small step stool and we had her stand on that to even them up. They understood the height difference so it wasn't an issue to have them evened out. Of course we also did some 'normal stuff' but the 1stdance was a bit problematic but again it was what it was. Good luck, Don

August 20th, 2008, 12:22 AM	#4
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,637	I shoot with a monopod and go to lower or higher angles to help equalize subjects of different height. It works especially well to put the camera up to about 7 feet (~2m) and shoot towards the bride over the taller groom's shoulder. If you can imagine this angle, it is from behind the groomsmen and shoots toward the bride's parents. I think it is the perfect shot for a wedding day, besides down the aisle for the kiss, as it gets the best emotional reactions from the bride with her family and groom looking on.