Details To Assess Before You Shoot "The Jump"
For many couples who are getting married and are excited about their wedding photos, an image of them jumping and being photographed in the air is on the to-do list. Whether you've shot several such images at past weddings or this will be your first jump photo, you want to deliver an impressive shot for your clients. Getting this shot right involves everyone jumping at the same time, whether it's just the bride and groom in the frame or the entire wedding party. There are also several considerations to assess as you set up this photo, including the following.
Distant Background
When you have your subjects standing in the spot from which they'll jump vertically, their bodies will obscure any objects in the distance behind them. The last thing you want is for the group to jump, you take several frames, and then notice that there's something unappealing that has emerged now that the people are off the ground. For example, perhaps there are a couple of dumpsters or portable toilets at the outdoor wedding venue that are far off in the distance but would be very visible beneath peoples' feet in the jump photo. Always assess what will be in the frame before you shoot.
Landing Ground
Your photo subjects might be so excited to complete their jump that they aren't thinking about safety, so this is another detail that you'll need to consider. Look at the ground on which the people stand and on which they'll land. The last thing you want to do is set up the photo on uneven terrain, as someone could land and roll an ankle — quickly ruining the wedding day. This is especially true for those who will be wearing high heels. You'll want to look for flat ground and may wish to suggest that those wearing high heels should go barefoot.
Wardrobe Issues
It doesn't hurt to have your subjects perform a test jump that you can watch before the actual jump that you'll be photographing. A variety of wardrobe issues are worth noting. For example, if the bridesmaids have short dresses, you want to ensure that they don't reveal themselves embarrassingly when they jump. You also should decide whether the men should have their suit jackets buttoned or unbuttoned. The latter may feel tight when jumping, thus limiting the height at which the men can jump. As such, you may want to ask them to unbutton their jackets.
For more information, contact your local wedding photographer.