Last weekend I attended a lighting workshop to further bolster my photographic lighting techniques ready for the 2010 wedding season. Simon Gerzina, a New York-based fashion photographer, ran the workshop and he was awesome. Simon first demonstrated some fundamental lighting setups and talked about the how’s and why’s. He then had the attendees customize the lighting for our own individual look and work with the model suggesting our own poses. Gianna was the model for Saturday and she was a trooper. Even though she was battling an upset stomach, she rallied through the day and was a great photographic subject.
Here’s a few of the shots I took of Gianna using my own lighting preferences and posing suggestions. Enjoy!
You’re booking me to photograph your wedding. Why add a second shooter? There are several reasons why adding a second shooter is a smart thing to do for certain weddings.
Reason 1: More Relaxed Wedding Day Timing. A single photographer can’t be in two places at once. That’s fine if your wedding, reception and lodgings are all at the same location and everything is within a short walk. The photographer can easily access everybody and be right there for all the events of the day. But, if you’re getting ready across town from your husband-to-be, the wedding day quickly becomes a lesson in time management. If this happens, most times I’ll arrange to photograph the Groom earlier in the day for his getting ready shots, then I’ll go and do the same for the Bride. It works well but means the day’s timing has to be cleverly orchestrated. This is especially important if the Bride is spending the morning at the Salon and also wants shots of hair, makeup and nails being done. Sometimes I have to hop in the car and race across town a few times. But if I have a second shooter on staff for the day, one photographer can shadow the Bride and the other photographer can shadow the groom. This can save you some time and stress and make the day more relaxed for everyone.
Reason 2: Ability to Photograph More Guests at Larger Weddings. Most photographers will agree that weddings with over 100 guests will normally benefit from having a second shooter. It simply means you have more people covering the larger amount of guests. One photographer will stick close to the Bride and Groom and wedding party while the other will focus on guests enjoying the festivities. More feet on the ground mean more candids, informal group shots and the ability to capture more of the fun moments during the day.
Reason 3: More Comprehensive Ceremony Coverage. With two shooters, one photographer can focus closely on the Bride and Groom and the actual ceremony while the other can watch for people’s emotions and things happening with the guests. You’ll also benefit from multiple angles and different viewpoints. In some cases, Uncle Bob with his video camcorder will stand up right in front of the photographer as the wedding kiss is happening. If this happens with two shooters and photographer number one is blocked… photographer number two is at the ready. For certain weddings we keep in touch via earbud transceivers to make sure we cover each other’s backs.
Reason 4: More Dramatic Angles and Wider Coverage. With two photographers, you are also able to benefit from one photographer capturing the details on a close up level, like when you slip on your wedding rings, to a wider perspective of shots from the back of the Church showing the light streaming in the stained glass windows. The two shots will be captured simultaneously, yet will offer you very different perspectives for your keepsake album.
The photos that follow are a few examples from Poppy and John’s wedding late last year. You’ll see how having the second shooter really added to the range of shots we were able to photograph.
(more…)
For those of you who know me well, you’ll know that it’s my birthday right before Christmas. We had a nasty snow storm that morning but I’d committed to doing a photo shoot for Jen and Julie who wanted some shots of themselves to give their parents for Christmas. Jen and Julie don’t get together much because Julie lives in Texas, so with Julie in for the holidays, it was a great opportunity. I have to say it was tough going having to meet these two beautiful ladies early on my birthday morning, but I made the most of it. It’s a hard life being a photographer 
Over the holidays I had the chance to photograph little George and his family. George has the most arresting baby blues and those matched with his blonde hair are going to ensure he’ll break a few hearts when he’s older. George is a really good-natured kid coming up on his first birthday and his parents obviously give him tons of love. I really enjoyed working with everyone. Thanks for having me photograph you all!
(more…)
I had a great day yesterday working with Bernice and Art for their engagement shoot. We all drove up to Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH where they met as students. The town of Hanover and the campus is gorgeous. We visited some places around the school that are special to the couple. While we were there the snow started to come down hard but thanks to four-wheel drive we made it home safe and sound. I’ll be posting more from this shoot soon. This set is just a sneak peek.
Thanks to Sheryl Lanzel for assisting. Sheryl made a perfect VAL (voice activated lightstand) and also grabbed a few shots herself. And a big thankyou to Bernice and Art for choosing me as their wedding photographer. I’m very much looking forward to their Boston wedding in early June!
But first of all, thank you for my beautiful family.
Getting a lovely shot of the family for holiday cards is so very important. Sure you can grab your camera and do one yourself, but after a special arrival of their new baby, this family decided to do something more professional.
Using studio lighting, we set this shot up in a few minutes and luckily I got the little girl’s attention for long enough to shoot some lovely clear frames of the whole family enjoying the moment. It makes me all warm inside. I love the confident look on the little girl’s face knowing she has Mom and Dad right there. I hope you like it!
Recently I had the pleasure of photographing two families at once while they visited the gorgeous Newport area. It was a beautiful Fall day, bright and sunny and quite windy at times. We had a great morning shooting at several locations including the Salve Regina campus and some local parks and properties. The kids were awesome and were happy all morning.
I love doing family shoots and always enjoy meeting the kids. It doesn’t take them long to relax and have fun. Here are a few of my favorites from this shoot. Enjoy.
For all who attended Alexis and Beau’s beautiful wedding recently, I wanted to let you know that the wedding galleries are now live. You can reach the galleries by clicking HERE. The password should be obvious. If it’s not just let me know.
Here are a few shots from the wedding day. Alexis dressed and got ready in the same room she grew up in, overlooking a gorgeous lake. Gotta love the Canon 85L 1.2 for its creamy bokeh. I think it’s perfect for this type of image, shot wide open using the window light.
I always try and focus on the guys getting ready too, when time permits. Here’s one of Beau as he’s starting to get ready. Here I used the 24-70 2.8 and lit him with a medium softbox.
Alexis dressed Ryker in the cutest little tux I’ve ever seen. Ryker was teething and was grumbling a little but all in all he did well. Again shot with the 85L 1.2 using natural light only. That lens sucks in the light so beautifully.
Here’s a grab shot of Ryker watching Alexis and her father walking down to the ceremony area. He was nervous with all the grown ups watching but made the perfect ring bearer.
And lastly here are a couple of Photo Booth images just for laughs. The booth was hugely popular and at times had over a dozen people in it at one time. It was a great crowd and we were all laughing non-stop.
Great fun! Finally thanks to Alexis and Beau for trusting me with their wedding coverage. I had a great time and everyone really made me feel part of the family. And hopefully I’ll see everyone again soon when the next family wedding comes up. Cheers!
Courtney and Tony are both teachers, living and working on Cape Cod. We took a chance on the weather and scheduled an engagement session hoping that it wouldn’t be snowing, sleeting, or just plain cold. Well we lucked out and had a wonderful afternoon at the Fish Pier at Chatham. It was gorgeous.
Courtney and Tony are getting married in the Spring and I can’t wait for their wedding. I just know after meeting them that their wedding is going to be wonderful. Congrats Courtney and Tony. Here are just a few of the shots as a sneak peek. I hope you like them!
by martin
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend