Picture this: It’s the First Dance part of your wedding and all eyes are on you, including your photographer’s. We think this intimate and emotional moment should be captured with talent and skill. Whether you're dancing under a crystal chandelier or the warm glow of moonlight, this is one of those moments on your wedding day that is a must for every wedding album and a favorite among couples around the world.

Here are 20 of our favorite first dance wedding photos selected for this week’s Editor’s Picks, photographed by the artists we recommend.

Often, first dances at weddings are choreographed moments, or at least lightly practiced, reflecting the couple's personalities, tastes in music, and the preparation they put into the moment. All of this makes the photos personal and unique. Let’s take a look at some of the elements that go into epic first dance photos and what you can expect an experienced wedding photographer to zoom in on.

Setting and Atmosphere 

Beautiful dance floors with romantic lighting deserved to be featured in photos, whether they’re fancy or simple. We love it when photographers use lighting to draw your attention to the first dance without losing the sense of place like in the four photos below.

The Two of You     

Making you the center of attention only seems natural when it comes to your first dance. Your photographer will look to document your expressions, your moves and your fashions. Find out how to nail your first dance with our First Dance Tips and learn How to Do the Dip with style.

Angles and Perspective    

Seeing your dance from a different perspective, such as low to the ground, your photographer can make you look lofty while capturing little things that others might miss. 

Family and Guests

From intimate moments of friends looking on, to sweeping shots that show off the whole room of guests, we always love seeing the reactions of others in first dance photos. A skilled photographer will go beyond posed shots to tell stories about the people you love and give you emotional photos for your collection.

When you are looking for a wedding photographer to create artistic photos that will stand the test of time and impress your friends, contact the artists listed here or use our carefully-curated directory of the best photographers anywhere!