Even the most experienced photographers find photographing jewelry to be a great challenge, especially when it comes to wedding bands.  Due to the reflective nature of most metals, many wedding bands will act as a mirror and everything can be seen in the reflection of the ring.  The lens, the photographer, the lighting source, objects in the room.  When shooting a wedding, one of the most classic must-have shots is of the wedding bands.  I would like to share some of the tips I have learned over the years to help create a flawless look.

When photographing metallic white colored rings, such as a palladium wedding band it is great to set up your shot in a portable light box or light tent.  These lightweight accessories virtually eliminate hot spots, and diffuse harsh lighting.  By adding the bride’s floral bouquet or the wedding invitation, you can add color and contrast to your image.

Many photographers love to strategically lay the rings down, but you can stand the rings for a better look by using a small amount of molding clay on the surface you are going to stand the rings on.  This looks fantastic for 18k gold rings or diamonds.  Always remember to position your wedding bands at a slight angle to prevent getting the cameras reflection in the band.  These tips have been a great asset to me and I hope other photographers will find them helpful as well!