One of my all time favorite wedding photography shot at a wedding is the sparkler grand exit. They are fun, elegant and at times, unpredictable. The warm glow you get from a sparkler image really mimics the glow of the newlyweds. Generally, sparklers are pretty uniform but I love it when I can capture a sparkler that has sputtered and shot a line of fire down the image. Sparkler exits can be tricky to the untrained, though.

 

Tips to getting the PERFECT wedding sparkler exit photo

1. Get a good number of friends and family to participate
2. Have the wedding couple slowly walk halfway through the crowd
3. Have everyone in front of the couple hold their sparklers down low (except for 1 or 2 people right next to the photographer). As the couple passes guests, have them lift their sparkler high (like a sparkler wave) and fill in the space behind the couple.
4. Have the newlyweds stop in the middle of the crowd and kiss or dip or do something cute for the wedding photographer to grab. Hold for a minute or two then continue walking. Have them stop once more just past all of the sparklers and repeat the kiss, or look over their shoulder at their friends.
5. Do it again!
   1. It’s fun for everyone and it gives the wedding photographer a chance to get all of the shots and make any adjustments they need.

Some wedding photographers like to

bring in a flash to help brighten the couple. I don’t do this. The color of the flash (a more blue tone) is way different from a sparkler. I could have a flash with a warm filter, but I prefer to use my wide open lenses and just use the available light. It gives the image a more romantic look. Like a candlelit image.

You can buy sparklers online (I think) but it is much easier and cheaper to just plan ahead and buy them during the 4th of

July celebrations or New-year celebrations. Tomorrow is July 4th, there will be plenty of firework stalls open. Go out and get a bunch of boxes and put them in a safe, dry place. $20 will get you A LOT of sparklers.

Did you have a sparkler exit at your wedding?