Eavesdropping, though socially taboo, is usually a pretty good idea on the wedding day. People aren’t going to stop their conversation to clue you in to what they’re feeling and how they’re about to respond, so pay attention. Listen to the conversations taking place around you—especially when humorous stories are being told, as these are likely to elicit great expressions. If you hear a key phrase like, “I haven’t seen you in so long!” or “I can’t tell you how proud of you I am,” highly charged emotions will likely follow. If you hear the bride’s mom tell her, “If your father were here, he would be so proud!” get ready to photograph the bride. She’s likely to respond to that meaningful phrase with a hug or a few tears—and if the bride is tearing up, Mom won’t be able to help herself. There’s no downtime when you’re photographing authentic interactions.
Equipment: Canon EOS-1D Mark III with EF 50mm f/1.4L IS USM lens. Exposure: f/2 at 
second and ISO 320.
There are some often-uttered verbal cues to be on the lookout for. In polite Western society, for instance, when people see the bride, they are expected to say something like, “You look so beautiful!” The compliments a bride receives on her wedding day can be overwhelming and exciting. Be ready to capture how she reacts to them. Whenever you hear a complimentary phrase, get ready.
Another important phrase often uttered on the wedding day is “I’m so glad you made it!” When the bride or groom speak these words, you can be pretty sure that the person they’re speaking to is important to them and/or is an out-of-town guest whom they have not seen in a long time. Chances are that guest is someone whom you should keep an eye on throughout the day.
“That means so much to me!” is a tip-off that a compliment has just been given. Everyone appreciates a flattering remark, so there will be some kind of positive reaction to this nicety. That means there will also be a great opportunity to document the reaction. Compliments that the bride receives on any aspect of the wedding will reinforce the idea that the day is a success. It is very important to the bride that the day goes well, so you will see relief and pleasure on her face following that sort of compliment. The phrase often prompts hugging—and where there’s action, there’s the opportunity for additional emotional displays.
Equipment: Canon EOS-1D Mark III with EF 50mm f/1.4L IS USM lens. Exposure: f/2 at 
second and ISO 800.
You’ll hear the words “Oh my God!” uttered for a variety of reasons. It may be a guest’s or parent’s reaction to how beautiful the bride looks. It could indicate nervousness and excitement. Often, the phrase precedes the kind of emotional reaction that causes other people to get involved. For example, during the morning preparations, let’s say the bride is opening a gift that her husband-to-be has sent as a surprise and says in a low voice (or a high-pitched squeal), “Oh my God!” This suggests the bride is shocked and overwhelmed. Your first opportunity lies in photographing the bride’s reaction, but you know that the bridesmaids are going to crowd around to get a look at the gift. Everyone will be laughing, smiling, and talking, which means you’ll have an opportunity to capture lots of emotionally charged moments.
If you’ve followed the advice in section 13, you will have your camera ready to go. When you hear “Oh my God!” zoom in on the bride, then zoom out to include the two people nearest to her, and finally pull back to show the rest of the girls and see whose reaction stands out. Be aware of the entire group at all times. Seek out movements and emotional reactions. This provides your bride with three choices and adds variety to your work.
