Re: [Leica] wedding candids

[Bill Satterfield <cwsat@cyberhighway.net>]

That was back when a white wedding gown meant something. It does not mean the
same thing today were everything is rehearsed befor the wedding. .

Joe Codispoti wrote:

> In the sixties I photographed weddings to finance my photo education at
> Brooks Institute.
>
> In order to avoid pitfalls, and to establish a personal style, I looked at
> the portfolios of several local photographers. What I saw was more or less a
> record of who attended the wedding, what they ate, and how long they stayed.
> I tried to sway prospective brides towards a more casual, intimate, and
> personal approach to recording the event. I learned quickly that the bride
> to be wants what her girlfriend had when she was married: posed, perfectly
> aligned and centered, stiff people grinning at the camera.
>
> Most objectionable to me are the many smaltzy, contrived, and phony photos
> such as that of the groom being "dragged" to the altar by his buddies. Or
> that of the father of the bride showing empty pockets and sporting a forced
> look of distress. The worst I recall was that of an enormous bride seated at
> the edge of the matrimonial bed with the groom kneeling on the bed behind
> her unbuttoning her dress; no doubt the photo was meant to portray a prelude
> of things to come.
>
> A leading local photographer goes as far as photographing the bride while
> she dresses. The sequence starts with undies. But I have to admit that the
> photos are tasteful and technically excellent (no doubt he selects those
> brides that do justice to Victoria Secret).
> Most of his wedding photos have the look of studio lighting. In fact he
> practically creates a temporary studio setting at the church complete with
> studio strobes, assistants, and music.
>
> So, you see Simon, give them what they want and charge them accordingly.
>
> Joe Codispoti
>
> From: "Simon Stevens" <simon@camera-craftsman.com>
> > I'm thinking about changing the way I do weddings for my business. I
> > really don't like doing all the dumb groups and it's frustrating herding
> > disinterested people around like a sheepdog while all the interesting
> > photographic opportunities are elsewhere. I'm wondering what experience
> > people on the list might have marketing candids-only wedding
> > photography? I'd like to do it in black and white if possible, and
> > hopefully take the marketing (and the pricing) a little upmarket to
> > distinguish myself from the high street wedding crowd.
> >
> > Finally, maybe you might like to take a look at some pictures along
> > these line which I took at a wedding reception last weekend. The address
> > for the quickie page I have placed them on is:
> > http://www.camera-craftsman.com/wedding
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Simon Stevens
> >
> >