Wedding Photography Buzzz

Posted on January 19, 2008

NEVER have I gotten so many reactions from an image I had displayed at a bridal show than I did from bringing this image from Addie’s Trash The Dress Bridal Session.

I had the above image printed 40 x 30 on canvas. It was displayed on a easel and looked just as great as I thought it would.

There were several different reactions. Some good, some great, and this is what got me. Some HORRIFIED. There were oooooo’s and ahhhhhh’s, there were twinkles in the eyes of brides to be as they thought of doing this sort of thing. And, there were “THERE’S NO WAY I’M GOING TO DO THAT WITH MY DRESS!” and conversely, from some Mothers accompanying their daughters, “THERE’S NO WAY YOU’RE GOING TO DO THAT IN YOUR DRESS!”.

THOSE reactions had me explaining this session ALL DAY long. (it was pretty funny actually)

So, I thought it would be a good thing to show you how I did it, and how no REAL wedding dresses were injured during the photography of this session.

The trick is to have a stunt dress. “What the heck is a stunt dress?” you ask? A “stunt dress” is any old dress from the “we’re just about to set this dress on fire lowest price ever please take it before I scream” clearance rack, or even better (from a thrift store). Find a dress that fits well, and will look good in photographs on YOU. I was able to find this dress for Addie in about 30 minutes of looking for one.

I scheduled the session with Addie for sunrise, because that’s the kind of lighting I wanted for this. I know that sounds kind of brutal, but for art’s sake, it works the best.

The bride arrives at the beach before the sun comes up dressed in her REAL wedding dress. The session started with a traditional bridal portrait session at sunrise. At this session, I fired off the first frame at 6:53 AM.

This is the slide show of the TRADITIONAL BRIDAL PORTRAIT SESSION in her REAL dress.

After we were done with the traditional session, it was time to put on the STUNT DRESS. So, with the help of her mom, sister, future mother in law, and I with my two trusty blankets, we made a changing room for her to slip out of her REAL dress and into the STUNT DRESS.

After the REAL dress was safely zipped up into it’s protective carrier, we were ready to begin the trash the dress portion of the session.

The first frame of the Trash The Dress session was fired at 7:25 AM. REAL dress was unharmed, and was worn to the wedding on December 28th, 2007. (I have the pictures to prove it.)

Here is the slide show of the TRASH THE DRESS PORTION of the BRIDAL PORTRAIT SESSION

So, I hope this was as informative and fun as I tried to make it!

Now! OnOn (no pun intended!) to the next subject.

I’ve also started doing slide shows of engagement sessions too! So, meet Filipe and Katelyn below.

They’re getting married in July of this year, almost a year to the day from when I shot this engagement session. Katelyn (btw) is going to be doing a Trash The Dress bridal session after the weather here warms up a bit. (so, now I refer back to this post if I get horrified looks again!)

Here is the slide show of the Engagement Portrait Photography Session.

Lastly, I’ve started a promotion!

I’ve created the post cards, but I’ve yet to mail them to presently booked clients and the public at large, but, until May 1st, 2008 I am offering a $250 savings on beach bridal portrait sessions. This basically makes the session itself free of charge and gives you 1 5x7 print. This offer can be used as a booking discount of $250 for a wedding photography package, or you can get an engagement session instead of the bridal.

Ok! My fingers are going on strike! (for now!)

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