The cake cutting ceremony is one of the key moments in a wedding reception that is not without its challenges. From lighting to positioning, the proper techniques and preparation are critical to delivering consistently incredible images for your clients. In this article, we’re going to provide some cake cutting photography tips to level up your wedding reception photography.
Understand that All Couples Are Unique
The first thing to keep in mind with cake cutting photography is that all couples and all weddings are unique. Some may choose to have a non traditional cake cutting during their elopement photography, as you see in the image below.
Others may choose to have a quite cake cutting ceremony in an intimate, private setting, as you see in the image below.
Make sure you stay flexible and stay aligned with the couples’ style and vision. Don’t try to force specific photos that don’t match the scene or couple’s vibe.
Watch the Cake Exposure
Watch out for the exposure on the cake. A white cake can easily “blow out” and lose all of the detail when you use flash, so make sure you’re using the right flash power and the right flash position. Consider turning on your highlight alert so that you’re aware when the details are gone.
Be careful of your angles
Cake cuttings can be unpredictable in terms of the action, so be sure you’re in a position where you can see both the bride and the groom as well as the cake itself. Compositionally, use the cake as a context piece and frame the couple beside it. Because the groom is often taller than the bride (but not always), place the groom behind the bride when positioning the couple near the cake.
Get the Ideal Background
Like first dances and toasts, the ideal backdrop for cake cutting is the audience (or guests). If a coordinator or wedding planner asks, be sure to inform them of your preferred shooting direction. In cases where you are tasked with coordinating the cake cutting session, try to position the couple between you and the other guests.
Use Storytelling and Photojournalism
Consider storytelling when capturing the action and cover wide, medium, and tight angles of the couple as they cut the cake, feed each other, make toasts, and react to the situation. Be careful not to miss moments as the entire sequence can start and finish in a matter of a couple minutes.
Capture Joyful Expressions
Be ready to capture joyful expressions. Keep your camera up and take a few extra photos to ensure that you get a set of great photos with both subjects smiling.
Photo by Marie Filonenko at MAGAZYN in Poznań, Wielkopolska Poland
The moment when the couple feeds each other is a bit more unpredictable. Some couples are more stoic and traditional during the moment while others are more playful. Some will even get into an all out messy “cake war.” Be ready to capture anything that happens!
Photo by Charles Moll at Rialto in Bozeman Montana
Photo by Jessie and Dallin at Walker Farms in Lindon, UT
Find Unique Angles
After you’ve gotten the traditional angle mentioned above, consider moving around and zooming in and out to find different creative angles and crops that help you tell a complete story.
Photo by Laura Skebba Photography at Thunderhead Pines in Smithville, OH
Photo by Luzye Photography at Occasions at Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, CA
Get the Audience’s Perspective
Consider stepping back among the wedding guests to capture an angle from their perspective. This can add to the photojournalistic feel of the moment and create artwork that feels less posed.
Photo by Jeroen Savelkouls at Molen de Ster in Utrecht The Netherlands
Perfect Your Off Camera Lighting
Once again, pinned constant or off-camera flash lighting is ideal for photographing the cake cutting. This lighting method only takes 1-2 minutes to set up, and it works in any scene or location. It does, however, require an assistant or 1-2 light stands.
It’s important to position the light so that shadows are minimal, whether it be a shadow cast from the cake over the couple, or from the bride over the groom, etc. (note the diagram above). The flash power will have to be adjusted based on the distance between the light and the couple. Whereas we generally recommend setting the flash power to 1/8-1/16 during most of the reception, the flash power may have to be reduced to 1/16-1/32 for the cake cutting. Whatever the case, make sure the flash power is set lower than the ambient lighting and/or modified with a softbox or umbrella to minimize shadows while shooting close up. On-camera fill flash is also an option, but it’s really the photographer’s preference.
Secondary angles (other than tight vs. wide angles) are typically not needed for photographing the cake cutting, so second and third shooters should focus on VIPs or other guests’ reactions.
Multiple light sources allow for more dynamic lighting options and up the production value by providing rim lighting and separating the couple from the background. Making simple adjustments can utilize the background lighting to create flares or backlighting for the couple (see the image below).
