Your clients’ wedding rings hold a special place in their hearts, symbolizing the eternal bond they are about to forge. As a skilled wedding photographer, it’s your responsibility to capture these cherished symbols in the most captivating and creative ways possible. In this article, we’ll explore 15 wedding ring photography tips and ideas that are sure to yield incredible and memorable results.
Why Improve Your Wedding Ring Photography?
Wedding ring photography goes beyond simple documentation; it’s an art form that requires a keen eye for detail and a touch of creativity. As a photographer, they present an opportunity to flex creative muscles and try new things. By employing various techniques and incorporating different elements, you can elevate your ring photography to an entirely new level. Let’s jump into the tips!
All of the images are provided by the photographers at Wedding Maps and used with their permission.
1. Find a Reflective Surface
Photo by Loc Le (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Song River Monroe in Monroe, USA
Explore your surroundings for reflective surfaces such as mirrors, glass tables, or even water bodies. These surfaces add a touch of elegance and uniqueness to your ring shots by creating visually appealing reflections that accentuate the rings’ beauty. Try your best to wipe down the surface first to avoid preventable photo editing and retouching.
Photo by Lin and Jirsa (Website | Wedding Maps Profile)
2. Use a Black Background
Photo by Belinda Philleo (Website | Wedding Maps Profile)
A black background can make the rings stand out, drawing all attention to their intricate details. Contrast is key here, and the darkness of the background provides an excellent canvas for the rings to shine. To get this look, find a black or dark background and ensure that the light hitting the rings is 2-3 stops brighter than the background. This exposure difference sends the background into darkness and gives you an image with rings that pop.
Photo by Roc Focus (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at House in Rochester, NY in Rochester, NY USA
3. Try Capturing the Rings in the Air
Photo by Jeff Tisman (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Private Estate in Dingmans Ferry PA, USA
For a whimsical touch, suspend the rings in the air using a fine string, fishing line, or a delicate piece of hair. This technique adds an element of surprise and playfulness to your shots, capturing the rings in an almost dance-like motion. As one of the more complicated wedding ring photo ideas, getting the perfect image may take significant time and practice. Make sure you determine your composition first, use manual focus and try a few times to get the perfect look.
Photo by Gretchen Troop (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Estes Park Resort in Estes Park, Colorado USA
4. Find Shapes and Patterns to Incorporate
Photo by Picturist Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Mission Ranch in Carmel, California
Incorporate geometric shapes or patterns that echo or complement the rings’ design. For example, in the image above, notice how the photographer found a leaf in the shape of a heart for the ring shot. And in the image below, see how the photographer found repeating shapes for a beautifully symmetrical photo. These create visually harmonious compositions with symmetry and balance.
Photo by Mauricio Urena (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at La Casa de la Ruina in Santa Rosa, Antigua Guatemala
5. Use the Florals for an Elegant Look
Photo by Vow of the Wild (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at White River National Forest in Breckenridge, Colorado USA
Pairing wedding rings with delicate floral arrangements adds a touch of romance and elegance. The softness of petals or vibrant colors create a beautiful contrast against the rings’ metallic tones. In addition, using the bride’s bouquet incorporates that meaningful wedding element into the ring photo as well.
Photo by Monica Cassell (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at The Gardena Venue in Valley View, Texas, USA
Photo by Aaron Aldhizer (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Private Residence in Cleveland, Ohio, USA
6. Consider Incorporating the Wedding Shoes
Photo by 1836 Photographie (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at The Preserve at Canyon Lake in Canyon Lake, Texas
Including the bride’s wedding shoes can provide context and tell a part of the wedding day story. Place the rings on the shoe or peek through the shoe’s details for a unique perspective. You can also balance the ring in between the shoes for a beautifully symmetrical photo.
Photo by 4 Eyes Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Hotel Sheraton in Calgary, Alberta Canada
7. Use Light and Shadows Creatively
Photo by Ladman Studios (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Stonehurst at Hampton Valley in Hampton, CT, USA
Experiment with light and shadow to add drama and depth to your ring shots. Play with different lighting angles and intensities to create captivating contrasts and highlights. The use of light and shadows can help you lead the viewer’s attention into the rings. The light can also create interesting shapes to use in your creative ring photos.
Photo by Laura Skebba Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Private Residence in Toledo, Ohio, USA
Photo by Zack Bradley (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Avenue in Greenville, SC
8. Incorporate the Beach (If It Fits the Wedding)
Photo by JCM Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Jobson Cove in Jobson Cove, Bermuda
Incorporate the environment or theme of the wedding when possible. For example, if the wedding has a beach theme, use the sandy shoreline or gentle waves as a natural backdrop. Even look for props that represent the theme, such as the starfish used in the photo above. The beach setting can add a sense of tranquility and love’s eternal nature to your ring photographs.
Photo by Francis Sylvest (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Haifoss, Iceland in Southern Region Iceland
9. Incorporate Nature (If It Fits the Wedding)
Photo by Jessie and Dallin (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at in Salt Lake City, UT, USA
For weddings with a nature-inspired theme, incorporate elements like leaves, twigs, or even a glimpse of a majestic tree. These elements can enhance the rings’ symbolism of growth and eternal love. Consider hanging the rings from a branch or the stem of a leaf. Or even set up a few different elements of nature to surround the rings, as you see in the image below.
Photo by Megan Posein (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper in Alberta, Canada
10. Find Patterns in Nature
Photo by Andreas Pollok (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Netts Landhaus in Rheinland Pfalz, Germany
Expanding on the tip above, look for naturally occurring patterns like ripples on water, dappled sunlight through leaves, texture of tree bark or blooms of flowers or succulents. These patterns can add a touch of organic beauty to your ring photography.
Photo by Stefani Ciotti (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at The Lautner in Desert Hot Springs, CA, USA
11. Consider Using Mist
Photo by Fits and Stops Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile)
Mist or fog can add a dreamy and ethereal quality to your ring shots. This technique can evoke emotions and create a sense of mystery, making your photographs truly enchanting. To get this look, you may need a spray water bottle. Take the photo against a dark background and try to backlight the mist so that it’s illuminated against the dark backdrop.
Photo by Stephen Mayo (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Garden City Hotel in Garden City, NY, USA
12. Incorporate Invitations or Other Significant Writing
Photo by Lets Make a Memory (Website | Wedding Maps Profile)
Include snippets of the wedding invitations, vows, or other meaningful handwritten notes alongside the rings. This adds a personal touch and captures the essence of the couple’s commitment. When using this wedding photography rings idea, make sure that your aperture is high enough to be able to read the text.
Photo by TKM Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Port Perry in Port Perry, Ontario Canada
Photo by John Foley (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at The Homestead 1854 in Plano, IL, USA
13. Find Sparkly Bokeh for Backgrounds
Photo by Andy Sidders Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at De Vere Latimer Estate in Buckinghamshire, England
Create a magical backdrop by using sparkly bokeh. These out-of-focus points of light can turn a simple background into a mesmerizing canvas that complements the rings. Sparkles can be found on dresses, shoes, invitations, or other decor in the suite. You can even use your phone or iPad to create this look by pulling up a picture of bokeh lights and using that as a background.
14. Use Creative Colored Gels
Photo by SMJ Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Cork Factory Hotel in Lancaster, PA, USA
Consider experimenting with colored gels on your lighting to cast intriguing and vibrant hues onto the rings. This can create a bold and artistic atmosphere, adding a contemporary twist to your shots. If you decide to try this idea, make sure that the colored light is primarily hitting the surroundings. Direct gelled light would make the entire set of rings that color, which may not yield the best results.
15. Incorporate the Story and Other Significant Items from the Wedding Day
Weave the rings into the broader narrative of the wedding day by including other significant items, such as the bride’s veil, the groom’s tie, or elements from the ceremony. This approach creates a more comprehensive and emotionally rich visual story. See some of these examples below.
Photo by In Love and Adventure (Website | Wedding Maps Profile)
Photo by Joanna and Brett (Website | Wedding Maps Profile)
Photo by William J Saylor (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Casa De Lago in Orange, California, USA
Photo by Kristin Cheatwood (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Idaho City in Idaho City, ID USA
Photo by Luzye Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile)
Capturing the essence of wedding rings through photography is an art that requires a blend of creativity, technical skill, and attention to detail. By incorporating these 15 wedding ring photography tips and ideas, you’ll be able to produce stunning and unforgettable images that your clients will cherish for a lifetime. Remember, every wedding is unique, and adapting these techniques to fit the couple’s style and story will result in truly incredible results that showcase the beauty and significance of their rings.
Written by SLR Lounge
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