When most people see the phrase "wedding photography" they probably think of formal, posed shots of the happy couple or the wedding party.

And while those types of photos are certainly important for weddings, they aren't the only photos that should make up the portfolio of the day.

With these wedding photography tips, you'll get the inside scoop on a few ways that you can breathe new life into your photos and give your clients something even more special.

Blur on Purpose

For a totally unique take on wedding photography, try blurring the subject on purpose.

This is often done to draw attention to something else in the shot, like the bride's bouquet or the groom's wedding band.

By focusing on details like these you are able to build a better story about the day.

But sometimes photos that only include the little details can feel a little bland. That's where adding the one or both members of the couple to the background of the shot comes in handy.

Rather than the image feeling contrived or unnecessarily focused on one object, you give the photo some context.

When it comes to how to shoot a wedding, it's often these artistic photos that are the most memorable of the bunch!

Editor's Tip: Printing your photos can bring them to life. Get breathtaking prints of your images today.

Outdoor Wedding Photography Tip: During the Day, Face Away From the Sun

A common mistake that's made when shooting outdoors is having the subject face the sun.

On the one hand, I understand why photographers do this because looking at the sun brightens the subject's face.

But on the other, hand, the harsh light of the sun might wash them out and cause hard shadowing in certain areas, like under the nose and chin.

A better solution is to have the subject turn away from the sun. Doing so puts their entire face in the shade for a more even look.

What's more, by having the subject face away from the sun, you can get creative and overexpose the background for a high-key look.

When doing so, try using spot metering mode, that way you can get an accurate light reading off of the subject's face, and your camera will disregard light information from the rest of the shot.

Of course, you can also seek out some shade if you aren't too keen on a high-key background and use the diffuse lighting in the shade to get a well-exposed image throughout.

Learn More:

• 3 Mistakes Beginner Wedding Photographers Make
• 3 Beginner Photography Mistakes That are Ruining Your Photos

For Group Wedding Photos, Focus on the Nearest Person

Since more depth of field exists behind the point of focus than in front of it, you want to be sure that the nearest person to you is sharply in focus.

If you do that, everyone in the shot will be in focus. If not, the nearest person - who is likely the most visible in the photo - will be blurry.

Even if the focus is just slightly off, you'll still be able to notice it, and it's not something you can fix in Photoshop.

One of the best tips for wedding photographers is to open the aperture a stop or two, focus on the nearest person, and you'll be in good shape for those wedding day group photos.

Editor's Tip: Your tack-sharp wedding photos deserve to be seen as big, beautiful prints. Turn your photos into statement pieces.

How You Print Your Photos Matters

When it comes to tips for wedding photography, I'd be remiss if I didn't touch on what needs to happen after you take your photos, cull them, and edit them.

Your work isn't done once the digital files are complete. Instead, you need to find a way to bring it home by turning your best images into fine art prints.

After all, a wedding portrait is perhaps one of the most cherished of all portraits, and you want your clients to have a statement piece that knocks people's socks off.

I'm especially fond of canvas prints for wedding photos because you can get just about any size print you want, and if you choose the right printer, you'll get something that's built to last with gorgeous colors and an eye-catching finish that makes you say WOW.

CanvasHQ certainly fits the bill on all of these fronts.

This was the first time having my pictures put on canvas...after contemplating about it for years. I love how they turned out! In fact, I am placing a re-order to share with my sons who took me to Italy. Thank you for adjusting the alignment and for the positive feedback. I would highly recommend your services! - Barbara W., Roanoke Rapids, NC

I've seen their work firsthand, and I have to tell you that the quality of their canvases is second-to-none.

And I'm not just talking about the canvas itself, either.

These canvases are beautifully constructed with kiln-dried frames that are manufactured using jigs.

That means the frame is straight and true, so when the canvas is stretched over it, you get impeccable results.

Just like in photography, it's often the little details that make the difference between something good and something great.

Extremely pleased with the quality of the canvas, the ease with which it was to order, and the punctuality and speed of delivery. - Kyle T., Baltimore, MD

They focus on all the small details so you're sure that the prints you get are perfect.

And on the off-chance that something goes wrong, you can rest assured that CanvasHQ will fix it.

Don't give your clients (or yourself!) a poor quality print. Wedding day memories deserve better. They deserve CanvasHQ!

Learn More:

• 3 Ways to Get the Best Wedding and Engagement Photos
• Must-Have Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers