My short story about a fanatical photographer received some interesting comments, and it got me thinking about wedding photos.
How many weddings have you been to where the guests' enjoyment has been marred by having to wait around for hours - probably in the rain/wind/snow - while the photos are taken? There are the happy couple ones, some in the most unlikely of positions (like the one above), posed by fountains, lakes, on blaconies; and looking dreamy and (I think) just plain silly. And then there are the group photos. How we all love the group photos.
A bouncy man (it's usually a man) with a camera, calling out instructions: "now the family of the bride...the bridegroom's family...all the people the bridegroom has ever got drunk with...all the men the bride has ever slept with...". And on, and on, and on. And just when you think it can't get any worse: "and now we'll have a photo of EVERYONE!" And 'everyone' picks themsleves off lawns and out of bushes and trudges back for that last, shivering photo. Which (in all likelihood) nobody will ever look at again.
Personally, I love the informal ones, taken when nobody is posing and people look natural. One of the prettiest photos of one of my daughters-in-law is of her carefully navigating some steps, holding her dress out of the way, unware of the photographer. Oh, and weeping, reluctant bridesmaids clinging to theri mother's skirts (same wedding). Because that's the way it was.
Next post: wedding speeches. I can feel myself warming up already.
Informal are the hardest to take. I don't do weddings but I do take pictures of folk evenings. It's very difficult to get natural pictures of the audience and impossible to find a musician that doesn't pull silly faces.
ReplyDeleteI don't go to weddings or funerals anymore. I hate them. I have never seen a funeral photographer. There may be a little niche for me there.
PS. just noticed your e-mail address. Are you moonlighting at Waitrose these days?
DeleteFuneral photography does have a certain ring to it. Why not give it a try? I'll come and hold you're tripod...
DeleteJohn worked for John Lewis most of his life. Waitrose are brilliant at sorting out any technical problems. We need people like that.
Should be 'your' tripod of course. Apologies. The iPad has ideas of its own.
DeleteJust try spelling phuneral photography
DeleteI'm with you there, Frances - my favourite ones are the informal ones. Some of those weird posed ones are downright creepy x
ReplyDeleteCreepy's the word, Teresa.
DeleteTeresa, look at some of the trash the dress ones they are superb.
DeleteAdrian, could you please explain your last comment? I can't somehow make sense of it.
DeleteI was the official photographer at my son's wedding in Germany. I can assure you that nothing was staged, no-one looked self conscious, and the happy couple were very happy (with my snaps).
ReplyDeleteGood for you (and your son) CM!
DeleteIf the wedding is not too big, and most of the guests know and/or like each other and the newlyweds, even group photos will be good, and nice to look at in later years. "Do you remember Auntie Jean's crazy hat? Oh, and that dress cousin Heather wore - it was way too short, wasn't it?"
ReplyDeleteI don't like the HUGE weddings, where the couple are grey in the face with exhaustion because they have been organizing and planning for months on end, and piled up debts for that one day in their lives, and never get round to talking with everyone.
But I do like dressing up, and therefore I like going to weddings as a guest. The last one I attended was over 10 years ago, though.
Meike, I never said I didn't like weddings. I love them. In fact we're going to the wedding of a favourite niece this Saturday. And I never said I didn't like dressing up! I'll never be as smart as you, but I scrub up quite nicely when I have to.
DeleteSie haben mich nicht gut verstanden (and if that's all wrong, feel free to criticise!).
Sounds good to me but then that might mean that my German is no better than your German.
DeleteTotally agree with you, Frances. My son's wedding pictures are mostly kids playing, people chatting etc.
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect, Keith.
DeleteOne of the beauties of the crossover camera with it's long-focus potential is that informal photos are so much easier than they used to be. My brother took informally one of the best wedding (and portrait) photos I've ever seen. I love doing that as a guest partly because it keeps me occupied during 'that' period and partly because just occasionally one produces a gem. My son is getting married this weekend in a full weekend Highland Wedding. He has two photographers and two video photographers. As the groom's father I shall obviously have to hang around to be included. I shall enjoy myself thoroughly. Ho hum.
ReplyDeleteI also think digital photography has made if much easier, GB. No problems with wasted film.
DeleteHave a wonderful time this weekend, and do please show us some photos.
I missed your story so have just read it - brilliant! Even though I'm the one who takes the photos when away. I agree about the informal photos - those are the kind I prefer of people and I can't stand waiting around at weddings!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosemary. As for the photos, I'm not against them per se.
DeleteI so agree, Frances. My favourite picture from our wedding was a quick snap my father took of our usher and bridesmaid in profile, gazing and smiling at each other, totally unaware of the camera.
ReplyDeleteA year later, they got married too and are still a blissfully happy couple. So my father inadvertently captured forever the moment they fell in love.
What a lovely story, Joanna
DeleteA friend took all of ours and I love them
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Wendy!
DeleteThe informal ones are always the best, I agree. Our photographer was a friend and as he's the lest formal person I've ever met we didn't end up with many 'sensible' posed shots.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Patsy. Since most of us look neither sensible nor posed most of the time, why try to look so unnatural on such an important occasion?
Delete