Beach Bridal Portrait Session of Melissa - 9-26-2008
Posted on October 12, 2008
Bridal Portrait Photography here in Virginia takes many shapes. Some want classic, some want BUCK WILD, some want a little of both, some don’t know what they want at all. For the most part, brides to be that I’ve dealt with over the past few years have been leaning toward classic full length shots as the bridal portrait that they want to have as the “money shot” of a bridal portrait session.
But, when you want that session shot outside, on the beach, it’s a bit unpredictable as to what kind of weather you’re going to have, and what kind of sky and wind that God has in store for you that day.
I don’t mind performing the photography end under any conditions, but I’m not the one wearing the dress, getting my hair done, applying the makeup and buying a stunt bouquet to closely mimic the one that will be carried the day of the wedding. So, I suppose that’s pretty easy for me to say! 
Well, this night was a crazy one. The weather wasn’t ideal. (truth be told, the surf was dangerous, especially for a woman in a dress that when wet would sink her like a stone) So, we just went for the money shot. That ONE shot that would be “THE ONE” . I couldn’t get Melissa too close to the water and the wind was crazy (and we won’t talk about the people walking their dogs off leash, dogs that are friendly, but strike terror into the heart of a woman wearing her wedding dress) 
(THAT was pretty funny, and nothing happened to the dress, I haven’t lost a dress yet (or a bride to be)).
Well, here are some favorites from Melissa’s Bridal Portrait session, and at the end, the “ONE”.
Ladies, the above picture depicts what happens when your Mother tries to embed your veil comb deep into your skull. Please advise your Mom that it’s not necessary to drill that thing into your noggin, it hurts. 
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Now, the image below is “THE ONE”. I had to wait for the sun to go down just enough, then wait for the wind to blow the clouds to the right place, then underexpose the heck out of the background, shoot on raw, use a remote flash held by Melissa’s Mom so the wind didn’t blow it over or God forbid (a dog mistaking it for a tree). All those things come together for “THE ONE”
Of course, I did some more photoshop to the below image than the others, but nothing drastic, just created 3 exposures from the RAW exposure, combined the 3 exposures into ONE composite, masked each exposure layer, and painted in the features that I wanted with a soft brush.
Really, anyone can do it. HAHAHAHA
Melissa got married YESTERDAY! The wedding was AWESOME (and so are their pictures!) You’ll see them soon (after the bride and groom of course!)
Plan on two more shoots being posted tomorrow, trying to catch up!
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