EDITORIAL: Memorable Shots from the past season – Part 1

Posted on December 17, 2006

This image of Brittany and Greg, married March 11, 2006 is one of my personal favorites. This shot came about because of some advanced scouting I did at the Celebration Hotel, the location for this wedding and reception. The entire affair was going to be at night so I knew I needed to get a bit creative with the shots we did post-ceremony.

This phone booth was actually the first thing I saw when I parked my car along the street leading up to the hotel. I was immediately reminded of my “Brit” wife and my trip to London several years ago. I knew right then and there that I would have to find a way to coerce this couple into this booth for a shot. The only problem was that it was going to be cramped and probably a bit dirty. I knew I ran the risk of Brittany saying no when I asked her to get in.

Not this bride! As with a lot of my brides, Brittany was brave and all about getting the best, most fun shots possible so she didn’t hesitate to pull Greg into the booth. What I didn’t realize was how hot it would be in there. Within minutes, as my assistant and I frantically worked to get the lighting set up, they began to sweat. I knew I didn’t have time for the lighting I wanted to do so I just abandoned the lights and switched to using the light that was available, which wasn’t much. I had to shoot with a slow shutter speed so they had to hold VERY still. Luckily for me, I was using a tripod, which is rare (I like to be free to move a lot) and everything came together to make a very romantic, unique shot.

The way the elements of planning, chance and a willing bride and groom came together to make this shot is a pretty good representation of how I like to work. I plan and prepare as much as possible but I often fall back on experience and “gut instinct” to improvise when I need to in order to make the best images possible.

In the end, Brittany and Greg loved this shot and that’s really the ultimate reward for me.

-Robert




SAMPLES: Christine & George E-Shoot

Posted on December 8, 2006

I recently did an engagement shoot for Christine and George who are getting married on January 18th in Orlando. Christine picked a wonderful spot near where she works and other than a fisherman who decided to walk through the background of a lot of our shots, everything went great. There was no wind so I was able to take the soft-box light out and I think it really worked well. I can’t always do this since it’s not very portable and susceptible to blowing over if there is much wind at all.

This was a rare time when I shot a lot of color at an engagement shoot. Normally I do mostly, if not all black & white but I just thought the environment and the lighting looked better in color. We may decide to convert to B&W later on, which is a nice thing about digital.


This is probably my favorite shot from this shoot. We were walking back towards our cars, pretty much finished for the day when I spotted this patch of saw-grass sprouting from a gully. We were walking on a raised area of grass and I thought it may be fun to shoot through the grass, creating a more “intimate” feel, as if we are looking in on two lovers sharing a moment together (yea, other than the weird looking guy with all the cameras running through the mud and that big light on a stand next to them…it was a very intimate, personal moment).

I think it worked out just about how I envisioned it.

Usually, as I shoot the more “traditional” things at a wedding, portrait or engagement shoot, I am constantly looking around trying to see the unusual, or dramatic in every setting. Most of the time this eye for the “different” results in my best work.

Next Post: Memorable Shots from the past season – Part 1




Welcome

Posted on December 8, 2006

Welcome to my blog. This is where I will post my experiences as a Central Florida based wedding photographer. I will post my latest images and share stories. I will also, from time to time, post news of specials I am offering only to people reading my blog. This could be anything from free portrait sessions, discounts on various services, or a sale on prints for my existing clients.

As a wedding photographer, I try to, well, actually, not be a wedding photographer. I approach things from a different perspective and I think all my couples would attest to that.

My greatest wish is that everyone I work with gets results that far exceed their expectations. When that happens, I am satisfied.

If you have come accross my blog from somewhere other than my website, please visit the link on the right to visit weddingsbyrobert.com and see my work.

-Robert McClory