I am currently working on Christine & George's wedding book and recently delivered their proof set. It was a beautiful day and this wedding produced some spectacular images. I think the bride and groom were very happy with the results as was I. I will post more about this wedding in the near future but for now, here are a few of the best shots.
SAMPLES: Cherie & Brian E-Shoot
My most recent engagement shoot was with Cherie & Brian at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, Florida. Contrary to many of my shoots, I pretty much knew what I wanted from this location and this couple so I had a plan and for the most part, I think I stuck to it. We had a lot of fun and I certainly look forward to working with them at their wedding in April at the Hard Rock Hotel.
SAMPLES: Slideshow!
This is a slideshow made from my "Top 50" images:
SAMPLES: Marnie & Scott E-Shoot
I worked with Marnie and Scott this past weekend for their Engagement Shoot. We shot at Lockhaven Park near downtown Orlando and despite a tiny bit of rain, we had a great time.
As usual, I started them out sitting. This takes away most of the pressure of posing and lets us work on getting comfortable with each other. On that subject, I think it's extremely important for me to be comfortable with my clients as it is for them to be comfortable with me. I think the process of making great images of people is a totally collaborative process and if there is unease in front of, OR behind the camera, then the quality of the work produced is affected.
Of course, as a professional, I would never allow any negative feelings affect my work too much, but honestly, if we are all having fun (oh, and by the way, fostering that fun is 99% my job so sit back and relax) then the chances my work will rise above good to great is much better.
With my shoots, this is almost never an issue because I will do almost anything to ensure a good atmosphere.
Ok, back to the shoot...
As usual, things didn't go as planned, or should I say that the light didn't cooporate much until I thought we were about done. Then it decided to play nice so I told Marnie and Scott, who were relaxed and I think having a good time by then, that we would make our way back to where we started, recreating some of the shots we already did, this time with much better light.
They were old pros by now and it was not a problem. Scott was even picking up on the little details like hand position and Marnie was glowing as bright as the sunlight we now had to work with.
By the last couple of locations, I didn't really have to tell them much, they were comfortable getting into natural looking poses and I was able to capture some really nice moments.
This engagement shoot was very similar to most. Things started out a little uncomfortable but quickly warmed up. This "getting to know each other" is one of the most beneficial things about these shoots and maybe more important than the actual images produced because it makes getting started on the wedding day that much easier.
-Robert
EDITORIAL: Memorable Shots from the past season - Part 1
This image of Brittany and Greg, married March 11, 2006 is one of my personal favorites. This shot came about because of some advanced scouting I did at the Celebration Hotel, the location for this wedding and reception. The entire affair was going to be at night so I knew I needed to get a bit creative with the shots we did post-ceremony.
This phone booth was actually the first thing I saw when I parked my car along the street leading up to the hotel. I was immediately reminded of my "Brit" wife and my trip to London several years ago. I knew right then and there that I would have to find a way to coerce this couple into this booth for a shot. The only problem was that it was going to be cramped and probably a bit dirty. I knew I ran the risk of Brittany saying no when I asked her to get in.
Not this bride! As with a lot of my brides, Brittany was brave and all about getting the best, most fun shots possible so she didn't hesitate to pull Greg into the booth. What I didn't realize was how hot it would be in there. Within minutes, as my assistant and I frantically worked to get the lighting set up, they began to sweat. I knew I didn't have time for the lighting I wanted to do so I just abandoned the lights and switched to using the light that was available, which wasn't much. I had to shoot with a slow shutter speed so they had to hold VERY still. Luckily for me, I was using a tripod, which is rare (I like to be free to move a lot) and everything came together to make a very romantic, unique shot.
The way the elements of planning, chance and a willing bride and groom came together to make this shot is a pretty good representation of how I like to work. I plan and prepare as much as possible but I often fall back on experience and "gut instinct" to improvise when I need to in order to make the best images possible.
In the end, Brittany and Greg loved this shot and that's really the ultimate reward for me.
-Robert