So You Think You Can...

As I said, your response to my open call for brial ideas has been fantastic. Alyson was one of the first to respond and her idea was fantastic. She is a trained dancer and wanted to incorporate that into a shoot. She had seen a shot done on the Brooklyn Bridge of a girl leaping with a parasol. She wanted to do it but in her wedding dress. Who am I to say no :) I think the results speak for themselves. Great idea, brave girl to risk dress and stress in the heat of the morning to get these shots. Trust me, she worked for them. I hope you enjoy! There are more but I don't want to take too much time out from processing weddings. I'll post some more in a bit.

So as I posted before, and have proven I am serious about by doing the first shoot 12 days after posting my "open call", send me your ideas (bridalideas@weddingsbyrobert.com) and if they're good/different/interesting enough I will work with you to get your idea done (assuming like Alyson, you're ready to shoot now).

I also need to give special thanks to Alyson who gave me permission to show these shots even though her wedding date is later in the year.

Krista+Josh Wedding

Krista and Josh's Tampa wedding was fantastic but that's largely due to their resilience, especially Krista's. I would normally not point this out but it's important for the story... Krista was just about as nervous as I've ever seen a bride. I don't necessarily think it was nerves about getting married so much as feeling the pressure and weight of all the day's planning, etc. It can get to the best of 'em. Anyway, the weather was also playing a huge role in the day's stress. This was an outdoor wedding (with a great Plan B but that's not the point) and the rain was coming. It looked ok for most of the afternoon but as wedding time approached, the clouds started rolling in. The decision was made to go early-ish even though all the guests were not seated. A great decision indeed. Just as Krista arrived at the alter, the drops started to fall. The great thing was that most of the wedding was under the cover of large, overhanging trees so it would take a pretty substantial downpour to ruin things and so far, just sprinkles. That didn't last long. Right around the ring exchange the skies let loose. Without missing a beat, calm as humanly possible, and overcoming any nerves she must have been feeling, Krista told the officiant to cut things short and pronounce them husband and wife. Nobody really knew the difference and what could have been a disaster was saved. In the end, Krista and Josh stayed positive, the skies parted, spectacular light that only happens after a storm shined down on us and we got to do some really great pictures. Morale to the story... as usual, stuff WILL happen at your wedding. How you handle it is everything. As they say, don't sweat the small stuff, and it's ALL small stuff.

Open call: Great Bridal Portrait Ideas Wanted!

Ok ladies, this is the deal. Over the summer I am looking to create some awesome bridal portraits. I have plenty of ideas of my own, and I have a few shoots coming up that hopefully will be fantastic but I want more! Here's my offer; if you can come up with a great idea for a bridal portrait, and you're ready, willing and able to work with me to execute it, I will do the session for free and give you a disc with the best images for you to print from, etc. The more creative, edgy, not-run-of-the-mill the idea the better. The ideas could range from doing a trash the dress shoot at a fantastic location to shooting with your stunning dress on the beach. Pictures of locations (don't worry, you don't have to share the exact location if you don't want), your dress, yourself, similar shots, etc, will be very helpful in giving me an idea of what you have in mind. Obviously you need to have your dress, or a stunt dress for this to work.

I want to do at least one of these shoots in June, July and August so get those creative, funky, on-the-edge bridal minds working. This deal is open to anyone, not just existing clients, but keep in mind that I am looking for something unique, different, funky, outrageous, gorgeous, or just plain unbelievable.

Email your ideas to bridalideas@weddingsbyrobert.com

All emails will be replied to and the best will be scheduled to shoot ASAP. This is a limited time offer so get your dream portrait idea in ASAP!

Leigh Anne+Tom E-Shoot

Danielle+David Wedding

Planner: Laurie Portella/Bliss Weddings and Events

Reception Venue: City Arts Factory

DJ: White Rose

Video: Luminous Video

Check out this couple's E-Shoot pics HERE