When shooting a reception party I’m looking to document the complete story of the night. From the focal point of an energy-filled dancefloor, to the design and details, and the quiet shared moments between loved ones throughout the space, I want to capture it with authenticity and a respect for the genuine vibe.
The Energy
If you’ve got at least one friend who’s going to be outrageous on the dancefloor, I’m probably your photographer. If you have several, please head to my contact page immediately and let’s talk about it. I think a party like this deserves to be photographed as it felt, and that means a little artful chaos. Throughout the day I’ll be secretly figuring out which of your wedding party are going to be the most feral after five signature cocktails and fully encouraging them to bless us with photographs that you’ll treasure forever. Often it’s a groomsman, often a bridesmaid, sometimes grandma comes out and surprises us. When brides and grooms go all in it’s electric.
My aim is always to match the vibe, adding flattering light for clarity and a little extra drama but being careful to capture the real ambience of the space, letting the design, the architecture and the lighting tell their part of the story.
The Details
Your wedding reception is uniquely you, and there’ll be design details that you’ll plan to have your photographer capture in advance, and ones that you might miss entirely and be glad that you have preserved in your wedding gallery. These include the decor, the cake, the lighting, table details, and even little scenes like a pair of shoes next to the dance floor when that one bridesmaid decides ‘it’s time’, or a purse and a wine glass among strewn confetti as the party really takes off.
We’ll be looking for these throughout the night, sometimes it’s a beautiful element of the design that you worked hard for, sometimes it’s guest fashion, and sometimes a messy micro-scene that sums up the story of that point in the night.
Detail shots add character, and little narrative touches that enrich the story of your wedding album.
The Moments
Throughout the night there’ll be many moments that deserve to be captured, and these are always a primary focus for me. A tear wiped away, a hug with a loved one, the small moments are often more beautiful than the planned extravagant ones. A good photographer knows how to set up for the planned moments, but a great documentary style photographer knows how to anticipate the little moments before they happen and has them framed and ready. My assistant and I enjoy comparing our favorites throughout the night, knowing that you are going to be obsessed with them when they’re delivered (a word we hear a lot!).
These are the photographs you’ll return to most in the years to come.
Shooting a reception is honestly one of my favorite parts of any wedding day. After the vows, your loved ones remain to celebrate you and there’s so much love and laughter that it’s a joy to be around.
If you want your wedding photographer to be fully focused on capturing real moments of energy, documenting every carefully considered detail, and anticipating the moments of love, joy and celebration from your guests, unobtrusive documentary coverage when it’s right, and getting involved when the shot demands it, get in touch today for availability on your date.
If you love any of the venues featured for your wedding or engagement session, their links are;
The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
Return to Houston Wedding Photographer Daniel Meadows
