I think Lauren & Jared got special weather favor because they are so incredibly wonderful. They shine light from with-in. Even though all the forecasts were for rain & thundershowers, shortly before I left for the wedding the sky parted and blue sky came peeking through the puffy clouds! The weather was perfect. Not a drop of rain and warm sun that filtered in and out most of the day. We were all very thankful that our prayers were answered.
Lauren designed and planned her wedding down to the last detail and wants to do event planning for a living. You've got my vote!! With the help of family, friends and their church, the wedding day events were executed with precision. It was BEAUTIFUL!!
Lauren is very quiet, but says volumes with her eyes. While I was selecting my favorite images from the day, I gazed at the image before me. The tears began to fall as I shared the emotions that were silently spoken between Lauren and her dad as he looked into her eyes knowing that he was releasing "daddy's little girl" to the care of another man who loved her too.
Jared is always smiling and happy; he was probably a perfect baby that never even cried. He's outgoing and full of life. Together this beautiful couple compliment each other perfectly! The love they felt for each other was palpable. In personality they may be opposites, but reflect the same heart-of-gold spirit. Kindness, honesty, love, patience, joy and true inner peace.
The more time you spend with these two, the more you grow to love them. I am beyond honored that I was chosen to capture their wedding memories and was greatly blessed to share in their joy.
Lauren and Jared, you have a permanent special place in my heart. I hope that's okay with you :)
Their wedding was held at Braeloch Inn, in Vinton, VA.
I loved the quality of light in these shots.
Good lighting is so important to a really good image. Always try to find directional light if you can. I asked them to move to the window for this shot. That way I could get dimensional light on Lauren's sister and rim light Lauren's hair. It makes the shot so much better than it would have been; away from the window with direct florescent light from above.
I love color, so rarely do I convert an image unless it truly makes it better. In this case the color of the knotty pine walls were distracting. In sepia tone the expressions and the pattern on the umbrella became the focus.
The shallow depth of field really helps to bring the viewer's eye right to moms adorable expression as she looks at her daughter. I've used the window again for directional light and as a glowy background light for the picture on the right.
I have chosen to have the light go across the dress, this brings out all the details and texture. It also gives this image a moody feel. I have used the mirror as a frame for Lauren on the right and have also used the light to come across her. The highlights and shadows bring added interest to the image along with her expression.
I brought this white chair from home. I thought it would add interest to her images and give me an opportunity for more variety of posing. It harmonizes with the environment and doesn't detract from the gorgeous bride.
This is one of my favorite images. The quality of light and narrow depth of field enhances and draws the viewer directly to Lauren's stunning face. I have placed her in 2/3 face view, which is the most complimentary angle.
I love to use texture in my images, which is why I placed Lauren in front of the leaves hanging down, they are enough out of focus that they just create a soft texture as well as the trees in the background and the tall grass behind her. They create layers of texture.
You will see in both of these images I have used directional light. The light pattern on the left image is called "short lighting" because from camera view the shortest or smallest side of her face is the highlighted side.
By shooting this from the side it is more interesting, additionally I wanted to add depth by using the foreground foliage coupled with the dark trees in the background which also frames the image.
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More texture and a manly pose. I have the groom sitting on a two step stool which I also brought from home. Here I am out in the open sky, which as you can see comes directly down on the subject and is less flattering. Open shade is best.
I really like the image on the left. I am shooting down on him from my step stool. The angle and close cropping of the image is flattering for Jared.
The guys were really fun and playful. I like the symmetry of this image, but I don't like where the horizon line falls behind them, but luckily it is fairly out of focus.
AAAHHH Details you know how I love them!! When shooting details with wide aperatures decide what part of the image you want in focus, because everything else will be soft. Also it's best to light glass from behind since it is so reflective.
If you have natural light DO NOT use your flash, especially on details! Yuck!!! You'll lose dimension and probably darken your backgrounds.
Now if you try to let your internal meter chose your exposure, it will be dark. That's because of the bright window in the background. You have to shoot in manual. Even with your exposure compensation which is two stops + or - it may not be enough to properly expose this image.
This is a tricky exposure because of the combination of bright sun and shadow areas. You don't want to blow out your highlights, missing pixel data on your image is just aweful. So expose for the sun and use photoshop to bring the skin tones up a bit to balance the image as best as you can.
I love the kiss of light on the bride's hair and cheek.
This is a semi silouette, so that the details of the clouds would be brought out.
As you can see I did not use flash, only the existing light on the dance floor. Much more moody, romantic and interesting.
As always I hope that is helpful. Please let me know if you have a question or a topic you would like covered.
Happy Shooting!!!
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