Got home early yesterday, and yes, I got sucked into one of the many wedding programs that are shown on one of those girly networks (you know the ones I’m talking about!). Can’t remember the name of it, but hey, the couple lived in New York City, so I pretty much had to watch (NYC + me = BFF). And, you know, it’s like, research. Right?
So it’s this crazy show where this British wedding planner comes in and helps the couple organize their disaster of a wedding. Yes, she’s British, and yes, she has three magic wands (yes, magic wands) with which she grants the couple three wishes in the areas they need the most help with, or something like that. The show kind of lost me with the whole magic wand business. But then the camera panned out over Manhattan and I was right back in it, haha!
One of the things the couple wanted help with was sorting out a wedding photographer (see, research!). So British lady with her magic wands accompanied them to a studio to have a talk with the photographer they’d hired.
Now here’s the thing: I’m not trying to show disrespect to anyone out there. As photographers, and as artists, we each have our own way of working. This photographer in particular must run a successful business to be able to afford studio space in Manhattan, right? Right, and I’m sure that he does. I’m sure that there must be couples out there who are looking for what he’s offering in terms of wedding photography. This particular couple on the show were not so much digging the gazebo, swing, and waterfall setup he had out back for their formal wedding portraits, but it did get me to thinking: what does the average person out there think of when you say “wedding photography”?
Here’s what I think of:
photos that capture the day | I’m not about interrupting the flow of events to take you back to my studio to take super posed pictures inside my gazebo. I don’t have a gazebo, or a studio for that matter. I’m about following you around with my camera, watching you interact with each other, with your family and friends, celebrating. Sure, there may be times when I pull you aside because the lighting of the setting sun is just right. And at most weddings I do set aside a time just for taking photos – of you guys, your families, your friends. But I do my best to keep them casual, relaxed, natural and convenient. I might ask you to look a little bit to the left, or to put your arm around her waist, but mostly I’m going for those pictures that have that candid feel to them. Most people haven’t had their photo taken professionally before, so I think some amount of direction is often needed to turn a good shot into a great shot.
relaxed smiles | not pasted on smiles – genuine smiles, laughing smiles, pulling funny faces at each other, and mostly, real emotions.
natural settings | on a dirt path – by the water – on a park bench – on the sidewalk – on the subway – down a random alleyway – anywhere that’s interesting, different, cool, quirky, out of the ordinary, beautiful.
people having a good time | isn’t that what a wedding is all about? catching up with old friends – celebrating – laughing.
all the little details | a lot of thought, effort and money went into all the details of your day – from the birdcage veil your mother wore at her wedding to the orchid boutonnieres on the guys’ tuxes and everything in between, i try to capture it all.
making it fun | honestly. I want you to truly enjoy the experience of having your photos taken.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is . . . if you’re looking for photos that are reminiscent of your days back in grade school when you had your portrait taken in front of a pastel coloured backdrop and the photographer said “say cheese”, well that isn’t me. And again, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just not what I do. If you’re looking for photos that show you having fun with each other on the day you were married, that tell the whole story of your wedding day in still frames, and that are not cheesy (ugh. . . that is my all time most dreaded word ever right there), then I think I could be your photographer.
I’ll leave you with some truly candid moments from a few weddings I shot this past summer . . .
