In a number of publications and web profiles there will be a section on what the photographer has in their bag. In a reply once I said I would add a GPS device, now I need to add one more thing. A bag of bird seed, oh yes. The birds came in this close to a hand full of stones, imagine what kind of a shot I could have got with bird seed. Could have been a Trafalgar square or St  Peters in Venice. No pigeons just North American wild birds…….next time.

I do enjoy the tradition of the bouquet and garter toss.

The action often leads to some fun shots. There is one area I pay some attention to, that is the difference in behavior between the guys and the gals. In my side by side photo it is very evident. As is often the case in the bouquet toss, well there is some enthusiasm. The girl marked came from out the back with such gusto that she actually caught the bouquet. In contrast the guys came on many with their drinks. And believe me “Nary a drop was spilt!” As I show in the next image they go on to treat it a bit like a snake. Boys will be boys, believe me it is seldom different.

Copyright and image use are rather confusing issues. What is good for your business? I say. I have heard of situations where people have argued over rights.  I think this article does a fairly good job of simplifying the confusion.   (Click on the link below to read the article)

Whose_Picture_Is_It_Anyway

In the days of shooting weddings on film, you prayed the elements did not play havoc with you. Post shoot you did not sleep hoping that you got the shot. If you got your processed film back and the veil had blown into the grooms face and apparently spoiled the shot you were going for, Oh my gosh  did you curse. The poor dog, garbage can or whatever else was in close proximity, they became victims of your frustration. Along came digital.  Aaah… some relief, other pressures,  but the dog was happier, the garbage can less dented. We can even have fun with the elements. Captioning my mistakes is fun.  Doing this knowing that I went on to get the shot after the things went awry. At least knowing it did is peace of mind.

So for fun I caption this sequence of shots.       Drum Roll!……..     And out of the veil he came………. DaDum (Cello)

He’s coming to get you……DaDum(Cello)

Every man gets his day! (Cymbal!)

Friends at last.

While at a wedding last week end I was informed about how un informed I am.

The bride was about to throw the bouquet. This was done quite a distance from the catchers. Given the environment I decided not to light the recipients. On three the bouquet was launched successfully. I immediately turned my attention on the recipients to see two little bodies getting into quite a tussle over the bouquet. As I approached the commotion expecting to see fur and hair flying I noticed it was a seven and five year old cat fight. I was not about to put my hand in to separate the two. In all honesty in all the years of wedding photography I have never seen the intensity I witnessed there. Finally stepping in. (Very cautiously I must add ) I became the referee. I was told that the initial touch as the bouquet landed was fair, both handled it at the same time. (Where is TV replay when you need it.) I took it upon myself to split the prize. The looks I got as I did this, well I’ll just say there had to be a bad guy. To further diffuse the situation and give time for them to settle down I asked what the chaos was all about. This is the lesson part. As the seven year old slowly raises her eyes to look at me she rolls them at the same time, all the while turning her shoulder to speak over it to me she asks and states all in one. “ You know how important it is for a girl to catch the bouquet?” I check my self, she’s only seven! I know because she is my daughter!

I will sometimes break the ice with the groom by handing him my keys and wait for a reaction. Have honestly had a couple of scares where they begin to walk off. Oh my gosh to think I would be a part of that disaster, in one case only to have the groom crack up at my reaction to him walking.

In Dino’s case there was no way he would take the keys. He knew all along.

A lot of photographers use actions and borders, however I found some illustrations that worked very well with senior shots I had taken. Theses were stock illustrations. I would like to find an illustrator to create my own along similar lines.

If I am at a loss for inspiration I will go to school. Helps that I have an artist in my family. Go artists.

I had a taste of every wedding photographers nightmare,  the officiant of the service you are photographing takes their attention from the service to you (The photographer)

There is a humorous side though and luckily for me the priest took the incident in the same light.

While performing the photographer creep, that is getting closer to the couple, and a  good position, all the while trying not to let the priest see you or disturb the ceremony. I found a great spot with a good line to the bride. Shooting away I heard what sounded like my shutter going out, well at least about to, a slightly delayed loud crack, Oh my gosh. My camera, and they are going to exchange rings and I’m doomed! Dare I just make a break for my other camera at the back of the church, the pictures on the screen look fine. Heck just shoot. I do. Still the delayed crack, but I will get the shot.

Then it happened! The priest casually walks over to me. Busted! Too close to the alter NO, On the alter NO, moving too much NO, what is it, why would this man do this to me, I was so careful. As he gets close he casually reaches over for a microphone near me and switches it off, looks at me, winks and casually walks back to the service. I felt the need to go change my shorts.

The priest to whom I apologized profusely laughed saying it would be one of his favorite wedding photographer stories. He was at the reception and would laugh asking me if my camera was OK. He must have misread the look on my face of fear for one of concern for my camera.

Sam and Jessica are such a great couple. I had so much fun. They were so easy to photograph. Being comfortable with each other and being able to ignore the camera comes easy to some. It did for them.