The short answer: the best dance floor photos come from a full, happy dance floor, and that is something you can help create. A few small decisions about lighting, music and timing give your photographer everything they need. Here is how to set it up.
Does the lighting matter?
More than anything else on the list. Guests relax and dance more freely in softer, lower light, and that warmth shows in the photos. Fairy lights, festoons, disco balls and moving DJ lights all add personality and give your photographer something interesting to work with. One simple tip: keep the house lights down until the very end of the night. When the bright lights come on, the floor empties and the atmosphere in the photos changes with it.
When do the best dance floor photos happen?
The first dance is the obvious one, but the songs straight after it can be gold. Guests are already up, the energy is high, and nobody has drifted back to the bar yet. If you can, plan the first dance a little earlier in the evening rather than right at the end of the night, so the party part of your gallery is more than a handful of songs.
Do you need to be on the dance floor yourselves?
If you want a full one, yes. Guests take their lead from you: when the two of you are out there having fun, everyone else feels free to join in. You do not have to stay out all night, but the more time you spend on the floor, the fuller it looks in your photos. Late-night snacks, glow sticks or a round of espresso martinis can all help keep the energy up too.
Does what you wear matter?
Only in that you need to move. If your ceremony outfit is not easy to dance in, a second look for the evening can help: a jumpsuit, a shorter dress, or simply swapping heels for flats or trainers. For suits, losing the jacket and rolling up your sleeves goes a long way. The more freely you can move, the more natural the photos feel.
What should you tell your photographer and DJ?
Tell your photographer what matters to you: the first dance, any planned moments like a father-daughter dance or a particular song, and how long you would like them to stay into the party. It is worth asking how they approach the dancing, because getting into the middle of the floor rather than shooting from the edge is what gives those photos their energy. With your DJ or band, ask them to keep the big lighting changes until the end of the night, and make sure they know which songs matter to you, so the floor stays busy while the cameras are still there.
Planning your wedding photography? I photograph weddings across the UK and internationally. Get in touch and tell me about your plans, and we can talk through the day together.
