Question, as a wedding photographer, should you photograph your Son and Daughters wedding?

Well, If they are marrying each other then no, but not for photographic reasons, and you probably need to look at your parenting skills, although sounds like it's too late.

Photographing Son

I was in the situation of being asked to photograph my son and his fiance's wedding,  I had photographed a wedding already, it went well and I saw this as a way to go so I hit the internet and researched this question, and disappointingly the majority of what I found was to not do it, there will be too much pressure, you'll miss being part of their celebrations, you won't be able to enjoy yourself etc.  All good reasons and valid points, but in my heart I really wanted to do this for my son.  And having photographed for my son and my daughter I would say absolutely photograph their big day.

I was involved way more than if I had been just the father of the groom, we had meetings and discussed options for locations and types of photographs they were looking for.  I was able to suggest and hopefully enhance his day with getting ready photos at his grandparents home where he spent a lot of time and was more comfortable around the buildings and workshops, than he would have been at home with a strange photographer.

North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer

I did not let the couple know that my camera developed a fault the day before their wedding as I was able to ask a friend who has the same camera if I could borrow theirs for the day.  No need to panic them unnecessarily.

I was up front for the ceremony so I had a better view than sat back in the rows with the common guests.

North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer

I believe I probably had a better time at his wedding as the photographer than just as father of the groom.  The hardest thing I found was getting his younger sister to smile in the photos, she would insist on pouting, no teethy grins

Photographing Daughter

Slightly different for Daughters as more required from the father on their day, walking down the aisle, speech etc.  but still very doable if both positiveness and confidence are  kept.  the walking down the aisle shots can be captured with a willing participant to use your camera once settings have been dialed in.  be cautious though as I had 3 people lined up for this job all confirmed they would like to do it and be involved but then all bailed with a couple of months to go, understandable if it is not their thing, but I was able to recruit a neighbour I know from my village football team to stand in and capture the moments I walked my daughter down the aisle.

North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer

Precious memories for both my daughter and myself.  Prior to the aisle there was the getting ready shots and this time was great to help steady her nervous and enjoy this moment with her.

Being able to capture the important moments in your child's life is so special and something they will remember long after I have gone, so well worth the extra bit of pressure.

North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer North Yorkshire Equestrian Photographer

So, in answer to the question , yes absolutely photograph your son or daughters wedding.  If you can photograph a wedding of strangers, you can photograph family.

Treat them just as any other client, manage expectations, and remove as much stress from them as you can. then enjoy.  They say the wedding album becomes an heirloom, what price a wedding album photographed by a close family member.

If you would like to discuss your wedding photography requirements and check availability, please contact me through my contacts page on this website.