Now, I love the hustle and bustle of a busy day at City Hall. Having other brides and couples in the background of photos, in my opinion, is a documentarian approach to capturing your wedding day—a true journalistic way to document the event.

However, I understand these are your wedding photos, and it’s crucial to capture a variety of images without strangers in them. To achieve this, we need to be strategic.

While I think I am a ninja, adept at finding angles or using you to block out others, it can be challenging to secure those iconic shots without strangers when the building is bustling.

For my wonderful couple, Teresa and Fernando, we opted to start early in the day. Appointments begin at 9 AM, but the doors to City Hall open at 8 AM. Meeting at 8 AM, we entered and immediately got to work.

Even right at opening, we were among several other photographers and couples with the same idea. However, with fewer people around, everyone tended to be considerate of each other. Often, photographers collaborate to ensure each couple gets their desired shots.

Starting early, I always take couples to the Grand Staircase, a popular spot for photos, tourists, and as a thoroughfare. Afterward, we head to the fourth floor, another favored spot because of its gorgeous lighting. Plus, the fourth floor closes every other hour for private ceremonies, so it’s crucial to capture those moments while we can.