How to photograph a receiving line
A 30-minute window, 200 guests, and your couple in the middle. Here is how to come out with frames that matter.
Updated 2026-05-13
Stand on the moving side
Position yourself on the side guests approach the couple from. You will catch the recognition moment before the hug, which is the photo. Standing behind the couple gives you 200 back-of-head photos.
Pre-focus your lens
Use a single AF point on the couple. The guests change but the couple do not. Continuous-focus burns batteries and shutters and misses the eye-on-eye moment.
Watch for the elders
A grandmother kissing the bride is the frame nobody asked for and everybody wants. Be ready.
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