The Biggest Mistake When Photographing a Catholic Wedding Mass
What is the biggest mistake a photographer can make when photographing a Catholic wedding?
It isn't necessarily missing a particular photograph or choosing the wrong lens.
It is making the photography about themselves rather than about the couple, the sacrament and what is happening in the Mass.
A Catholic wedding, particularly a Nuptial Mass, calls for a different approach to photography. The photographer needs to be able to document the day beautifully while remaining discreet and avoiding unnecessary distraction.
Watch the video below for a short explanation.
The Photographer Shouldn't Become the Focus
A wedding photographer is there to document the day, not to become part of it.
This is particularly important during a Catholic wedding Mass.
A photographer can take technically excellent photographs and still be distracting. Moving around the church, getting very close to the couple or positioning themselves directly in front of the congregation might produce dramatic images, but it can also take attention away from what is actually happening.
During the Mass, the focus should remain on the couple, their marriage and their worship.
The photographer should support that rather than compete with it.
Why a Long Lens Can Make a Difference
One way of photographing a Catholic wedding discreetly is by using a longer focal length.
Instead of standing directly beside the couple or moving right to the front of the church, a photographer can sometimes position themselves further back and use a longer lens to capture the moment from a distance.
This has several advantages.
The photographer can still capture expressions, interactions and important moments, but without physically inserting themselves into the scene.
It also means there is less movement around the church and less chance of distracting the couple, priest or congregation.
You can be close to the moment photographically without being physically close to it.
Photographing the Mass From the Back
There is something particularly valuable about photographing a Catholic Mass from further back.
From the rear of the church, the photographer can capture the couple within the wider setting of the church.
You can see the architecture, the congregation and the scale of the space while still documenting what is happening at the altar.
A longer lens can then be used to isolate the couple or priest when necessary.
This approach can produce photographs that feel much more natural because the photographer isn't constantly moving around the church looking for another angle.
Discretion Matters
Discretion is one of the most important qualities I look for in Catholic wedding photography.
There will be moments when the photographer needs to move. There will be moments when they need to change position or capture something from a different angle.
But there are also moments when the best thing to do is simply stay where you are.
During the Mass, the photographer should know when movement is appropriate and when it isn't.
That requires an understanding of what is happening rather than simply treating the Mass as another part of the wedding to photograph.
The Sacrament Comes First
A Catholic wedding isn't simply a beautiful setting for photographs.
It is a sacrament.
The couple are making a promise to one another and to God, and the Mass is a sacred act of worship.
The photographer therefore has a responsibility to work around what is happening rather than trying to make what is happening work around the photographer.
The photographs matter.
But the Mass matters more.
You Should Hardly Notice the Photographer
Ultimately, my aim when photographing a Catholic wedding Mass is that the couple and their guests should barely notice that I'm there.
I want to be in the right place when something important happens, but I don't want to be the reason people are looking in my direction.
The best photographs don't necessarily come from standing closest to the action.
Sometimes they come from taking a step back, using a longer lens and allowing the moment to happen naturally.
That is particularly important during a Catholic wedding Mass.
The photographer should be there to document the sacrament, not to become part of the spectacle.
Looking for a Catholic Wedding Photographer?
If you're planning a Catholic wedding, ask potential photographers how they approach the Mass.
Ask whether they have photographed a Nuptial Mass before, where they position themselves and how they make sure they don't become a distraction.
Your photographer should understand that there are times to photograph and times to step back.
If you're looking for a Catholic wedding photographer who approaches the Mass with discretion and reverence, find out more about my Catholic wedding photography.
Watch the video
In this short video, I explain the biggest mistake photographers can make when photographing a Catholic wedding Mass and why discretion matters.
