Normally when I pitch for a wedding it’s with the bride and groom. I can talk them through a typical day, hear what they are looking for and toss in a few suggestions as well as showing them some of my work.
This evening, I had dinner with Tamara and Michael … and almost their whole family. It was a pitch of epic proportions! But in the end it all went well with them booking me for their wedding as well as an “Extreme Bridal/Trash the Dress” session for the following day. Did I mention this was a Sydney wedding which means I can now use the term “National Wedding Photographer” in my advertising?
Looking forward to next year guys!
After meeting a friend for coffee I drove to Parkdale to begin photographing the lovely Gen. The hairdresser was already in action so I jumped straight into it. As I was shooting away I met Megan and Jane, the two bridesmaids, Auntie Jan, good friend Jo, as well as the parents of the bride. With a hairdresser in one room and a make-up artist in the other I was moving around capturing the preparations as well as the dress, flowers and other detail photographs.
Right from the word go the family was fantastic working with me as requested and keeping me caffeinated and fed. Could a photographer ask for more? I think not.
Not only was I the photographer for the wedding but I was entrusted with the safe passage of the corsages. Needless to say the pressure was felt as I drove down the new East Link towards Olinda.
The ceremony was held in a beautiful little church with three glass walls that provided the guests with a wonderful view and myself with a wonderful challenge. It was spot metering all the way!
The ceremony was beautiful with two gorgeous flower girls and David’s son Jake and friend Jack as page boys. The only hitch to the ceremony was the first kiss. Never in my time have I seen a faster first kiss. Most of the guests with camera missed it and it had to be redone! Another funny moment was when it was time for the rings, Jake had placed them so safely into his pocket that he couldn’t get them out for about two minutes. Readings were done by family members and finally Mr and Mrs Dave & Gen they were.
The group photos were done outside and the “couple” of family photos they requested quickly turned into about ten.
We finally extracted ourselves from the throng and drove to the nearby lookout for the formals. The boys proudly showed off their Hawthorn Football club socks whilst the girls enjoyed the chance for a quick drink and nibbles.
The groomsman got very excited when I called for “The bride and the tallest groomsman” until I handed him a flash and told him which part to point towards me. He became my VALS (Voice Activated Light Stand) for the formals and did a sterling job!
After exhausting the lookout possibilities we drove five minutes down the road until it turned into a dirt track and took some more photos there. The light was really fading on me now and I was using the flash on nearly every photo.
Finally we headed to the reception (Sky High in Mount Dandenong) where everyone was gathered to party the night away. The guests were all fantastic and I had a great night shooting away. The best man made possibly the best speech I have ever heard at a wedding and I have either played or photographed over 200 in my time.
Thanks Gen and Dave for the great day. You were both easy to work with and we all had a lot of fun. The guests were fantastic and made me feel a part of the family. I’m looking forward to showing you the photos when you return from Singapore!
Another teaser photo. This time using off camera flash.
Saturday saw me shooting for twelve hours (minus a fourty minute drive) at the wedding of Genevieve and David. These two were great to work with and made me feel welcome from the start.
I’m still going through the images but here is a teaser I couldn’t help but share. The boys all wore hawthorn footy socks so during the reception, Gen decided to upstage them. You are awesome Gen!
More to come later!