Wedding experience

I’ve had the awesome opportunity to spend some time assisting a professional photographer at weddings. So far I’ve attended two weddings with him and both times I’ve learned alot. Mainly what to look out for when scoping the location for potential “shooting places” but also how to aim the reflectors and the flashes and what poses work well. The one wedding was in the middle of the day with extreme brightness and almost no shade, but in the end we found a few nice spots (although the ants where crawling all over us within seconds). The other wedding almost rained out, but luckily it let up just before the ceremony and held off until the reception, so we did get some lovely pictures with a dramatic sky. It’s always great when the weather suddenly does play along.

Wedding Collage 2 At the first wedding I got to shoot some of the reception detail and at the second wedding I had the opportunity to focus on the personal items of the bride. In both cases I got to experiment a bit and I did get some nice pictures. I’ve created two collages, one for each wedding. I also experimented a bit with a new way of branding my photos. Any feedback in that regard is also welcome.

The best part was being allowed to take a few photos with the photographer’s equipment as well – but obviously I don’t have those photos. I love how every little bit of experience teaches me something and how shadowing someone can give me so much benefit as well. And of course it feels good to help someone out.

Wedding Collage 1 I don’t know yet whether I’m cut out for the stress of being a wedding photographer, or whether I’m more the assistant/second shooter type, but I’m learning and I’m definitely enjoying it alot. Now if only I had a better lens to work with! I’m still dreaming of owning the 70-200mm Nikon VR lens. Until then my nifty fifty will have to hold down the fort.

Week 23: Eye of the Beholder

Better late than never. LOL.

week23

Week 22: Valentine

I couldn’t let this week go by without giving Valentine his due. I must admit that the little I know of where Valentine’s Day originated, comes from vague memories and a few choice “facts” that were mentioned in the movie “Valentine’s Day” (on a side note: Valentine’s Day is a fun movie to watch – I enjoyed it alot.). But still, you can’t escape this day or the celebrations, as every shop will overwhelm you with their choice of chocolates, fluffy toys and flowers.

week22 Back in my teen years I was always painfully unhappy on Valentine’s Day, as no one ever sent me flowers or chocolates (except my mom; but how can that soothe an awkward teens heartache?). These days I hardly think about it. Maybe because I’m happily married and thus I have many more “Valentine’s Days” spread out throughout the year. Maybe because I realised that chocolates make me fat and flowers die, and my collection of stuffed animals is definitely getting out of hand. And maybe because love can’t be measured by what a person does on a single day of the year, and whether I receive tons of things or none at all is no measure of how much I’m loved and how important I am to the people in my life. Seriously, if I were to measure how much I’m loved based on this particular day, I’d probably be depressed 364 days of the year, and 365 days in a leap year. One day should not define our worth or our acceptance by other people. Even if it’s nice to get a sign of that love every now and then.

I’m all for sending cards to our loved ones and telling them what they mean to us, but lets not restrict it to one day a year. Show the love every day! And in that spirit my project photo for this week is stripped of colour in everything else, but what counts: LOVE. Go on, enjoy it, celebrate it, share it!