I went to a wedding last weekend.(Not this one above-I chose this shot for the fabulous, un-posed cake cutting.) I most loved the spontaneous moment during 'the wedding breakfast' when our Frank Sinatra soundy likey belted out his finale number 'New York New York' and the entire top table rose to their feet with arms aloft. It was heart-warming, funny, unexpected and really and truly in keeping with the vibrant, energetic personality of the bride.
This was a mostly formal, formula wedding which I felt sat uncomfortably with the couple in question. It restrained them instead of setting them free. The ceremony was I thought quite heavy and down beat until the bride spoke her own vows with such honesty, joy and confidence that I began to feel some real moving emotion. It was like the person inside was bursting at the seams to break free from this self imposed conventional wedding structure.
I most disliked the endless, endless photographs. The staged setups, the groupings, the uneccessary moving people from room to room, breaking up the natural flow of the day, to get a good shot when much better, interesting snaps were being taken by everyone else.
Why oh why does this happen. WHY? Some photo sessions go on for two hours or more-it's complete madness! If you like those awful photographs that appear in Hello with groups of celebrities in their best clothes and french manicured hands all smiling their brightest whitest smiles, then you will be in stark disagreement with me.
I understand that people want great photos to look back on but the best I have seen come from the guests being given throw away cameras to capture the day as it really happens. There is no need for formation, perfection or a long list of set ups. Give yourself a break. Let go of the reigns and let your horse gallop wherever it needs to go!
Friday 5 October 2007
Hold it flash, bang, wallop what a picture!
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2 comments:
I liked the way we handled photos for our wedding. We took all the formal shots before the ceremony. The entire session lasted about half an hour or forty-five minutes. Then the photographer shot candids for the rest of the day.
We had all the formal shots to send to relatives, but we didn't have to miss a big chunk of party lining up for interminable snaps, and our guests didn't have to hang around the reception for an hour or more waiting for us to show up so they could eat.
It worked out wonderfully for us.
Precisely. A balanced intelligent and thoughtful approach. I'm not saying don't have a pro there at all-just don't let it interfere with everyone's enjoyment of such a significant day.
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