ANNOUNCEMENTS: Leigh & Nick...Booked...and other news...

Thank you to Leigh & Nick who booked for next June in Orlando. Look for their engagement session and bridal portraits to be posted sometime in September. Also, Nick, I didn't forget...I'm still working on it.

I am going to try, as much as possible to announce new bookings here when I have a picture available. Congrats to Leigh & Nick for being the first.

Also, judging by the number of bookings/inquiries I've gotten for next year, 2008 looks like it's going to be a killer year for weddings so if you're thinking about waiting to book me or other vendors, I would not wait too long. This past season was booking about 3-4 months out but it looks like next year is going much earlier so book your favorite vendors now before your date is gone!

EDITORIAL: I get it now!

First of all, sorry it's been awhile since I've posted. I have some recent images to post but first I wanted to tell you all...I get it...I understand now.

I have so many of my brides (and grooms, can't forget about you all) tell me that they want photojournalism, or at the very least, they just don't want formal posed wedding photography. Now, since I don't show that kind of work, I don't really get that many requests to do it but until today, really, 10 minutes ago I didn't really know what so many of you seem to dislike. I didn't have a visceral feel for what traditional wedding photography may represent to you.

I was watching a somewhat old photography "magazine" DVD that featured the work of some of that day's better wedding photographers, just to see if there was something I could take from it. To put this in perspective, the photographer in the main feature story was talking about the fact that weddings would never be shot in digital. Hmmmmm. Anyway, in this video I saw a photographer doing what I guess you'd consider VERY traditional wedding photography, filled with all the static, uncomfortable posing you could ever want...or not. I felt uncomfortable just watching so I can only imagine what it must have been like for the bride, groom and their families.

To say I only understand because of this video is not entirely true. I only have to look 10 years back at my own wedding photography to see the very same stuff and while my recollection of how it felt to be stuck in those positions is a little fuzzy, I know I don't like the pictures all that much.

So when you say "Robert, I really don't want traditional wedding photography, you know, all that posed stuff..." I know what you mean, and I also know that what you likely REALLY mean is that you'd love to have beautiful lines both in the scene and your bodies, wonderful lighting and creative angles but you don't want to have to make like a statue for 10 minutes while I pose every last part of your being. That's why I tell my couples that I WILL do some direction and offer the occasional posing advice, even to the extent of directing head movements but I never let it seem like work.

I think too often people assume that when you abandon tradition you abandon beauty, structure and lighting. I think that's a mistake. To me, now, after witnessing what many of you probably consider your worst nightmare, I assure you that tradition, or at least tradition when it means stuffy, stiff, posed wedding photography is not the only path to classic beauty and stunning imagery.

Rest assured, while I do strive to make timeless, beautiful wedding photographs, I think I do it in a way that feels very fluid and totally stress-free.

Thanks for reading.

SAMPLES: Cherie & Brian's Hard Rock Wedding

This was a great wedding to photograph. Sure, there was pressure in shooting a bridal shop owner's wedding (Lilys Bridal of Orlando) but in the end, I think it was a great day had by all, me included.

This first shot on the staircase was one that Cherie really wanted and I think we did her vision justice. I have also been looking for a chance to do a classic bridal portrait like this so fate met opportunity and this is was the product. The rest of the day produced some really nice images as well. In particular, I love the detail shots, of which there are many at Cherie's request.

I also think the ring shot I did for Cherie & Brian is one of my best, if not the best I have done to date.

Thanks to Laurie of Bliss Weddings and Events for her help, wonderful design, and especially for hand holding my flash (and also getting it off the table where I left it) for the ring shot.

The front lawn of the Hard Rock Hotel was wonderful to shoot on, as was the rest of the hotel's grounds. Very different feel to this place than many other local resorts.This was just a grab shot of Brian as he was waiting to move to the front lawn for our post-ceremony shoot.
Again, a grab shot of sorts. I don't think Cherie was doing this on purpose other than to get her dress fanned out. I like the movement and shapes in this shot.

There were many wonderful details in this wedding like these towering center-pieces.

The reception room was a challenge to light because of all the high center-pieces but I like the end results. Ah, the ring shot.

EDITORIAL: Behind the Scenes - Marnie & Scott

This was a shot we had to get. It went from something we didn't even know about to top of the list from the moment these stairs were spotted just off to the side of the ceremony location.
I first noticed these stairs as we were wrapping up the formals. My assistant Chris suggested that we shoot long with the happy couple on the top landing. I thought it was a great idea and we raced against time to catch the failing afternoon light peeking through the trees in the background. At the time we first framed up the shot there was a spectacular bit of light hitting that spot but after a couple delays and a re-shoot of one of the formals, the sun had dipped slightly below where it was and the light was essentially gone. We sent Marnie and Scott up on the landing and I quickly decided to send Chris around the back of them with a light on a stand. I thought if we could hit them from behind with enough light, it would simulate the effect I hoped to get with the sun. It worked pretty well, especially on this shot of Marnie where the fringes of her hair seem to be lit by the setting sun, but in reality are being illumined by a flash held high by a quick acting assistant.

SAMPLES: Marnie & Scott's Wedding

Ok, this is what I saw when I first walked up to the venue...more later...don't worry, I assure you all's well that ends well no matter the, well, ominous beginnings.

Oh, and it gets better. See that red circle? That's the door to the bride's dressing room. That air-conditioner on the roof...you guessed it, the one supplying Marnie's room. The yellow door (the stairs from which were almost completely blocked by debris from the fallen tree) is where Marnie was to enter the ceremony area from...which of course was the area I was standing in to take this picture. Much more later.

Alas, everything did get sorted out and preparation began, smiles were seen and although the door to the room had to stay open, it wasn't even too bad without air conditioning. In fact...
The door provided some great light and really added something to a room that was a bit spartan. This was one of those weddings where things happened for a reason and I think while trees almost taking out the wedding planner/bridal room and high winds threatening to blow away the entire ceremony site seem like bad things, in the end, I think they just added some drama that Marnie and Scott took in stride better than any couple I have seen facing these kind of things. Kudos to them.
The rest of the day went well, albeit a bit behind but considering the obstacles they faced early in the day, the delay was understandable and not really an issue.
One of the more interesting moments came when Marnie was to make her entrance through that door with the yellow circle and there was a few large branches and much debris blocking the way. Between Jennifer (of Magnoila Solutions Weddings and Events) and I, we managed to get the path cleared and the show went on. I have to admit that while I would love to chalk up my efforts entirely to chivalry, I did have a selfish motive too...

This path was much better to shoot than the alternative (them walking out of the door with the red circle).
Here are a couple more shots from the rest of the day. Marnie & Scott both prefer black and white so you will see more of that in this wedding than I may normally do although I admit to having a strong affinity for B&W myself.

Thanks to Jennifer (planner) and Chris (my assistant) for all your help.