You know how they say that the location where a movie is made becomes one of the characters in the film? I totally agree with this. In fact, I think it is MORE than this.
I think the same thing applies to a wedding. The location is one of the characters in the play. So on this note, I thought I would add a few images from my latest wedding.
Think of these as the bride, the groom, the mother of the bride, the flower girl or the best man. Lurking there in the background, never saying a word. The location.
I’ve had locations that held me back and others that set me free. I’ve had locations that ranged from 112 degrees down to the near freezing level. I’ve had inner city, outer city, middle of nowhere and center of it all.
The more weddings I do, which as you know is not all that many, but the more I do, the more I find myself wanting to explore only those that offer a location where I feel I can make my pictures. Can I shoot anywhere? Yes, of course. But, do all locations offer me what I need? No. When I first got into weddings I did many of the same things we all do. I sent promos to all the “high-end” locations, thinking this would put me on the map with the “high-end” people. I was so off. I don’t believe in “high-end” people, for one, but many of the “high-end” places were horrible shooting locations, and still are to this day. You know those fancy resorts…..you can have them. I want a sense of place. I want a sense of style. And most importantly, I want the “right-end” people.
“Right-end” people are normal people, and coupled with a good location…all I need and want. Sometimes when I do a job like this I feel like I’m in a bubble that allows me to move through the world invisible to other people. I can be right there, moving quiety through the mayhem, silent in all but the CLUNK of my mechanical beast. One picture at a time, seeing the ENTIRE puzzle of the day before me, coming together piece by slow piece. Do I do the corners first and help myself along, or do I just give myself to the idea of NOT being in control?
And all the while, the location is there, offering things up, taking things away. I never preconceive the location because when I do it never equals the equation my mind put on paper. I learned this during my days doing newspaper “stuff.” Don’t think about it, just go and react. Be ready. Then make your move.
Tagged: 6x6, analog, ©daniel milnor, bridge, golden gate, location, sausalito, smogranch, water, wedding
I love your wedding photography so much. I am kind of amazed you find brides/grooms who like it as well.
You and me both!
Dan – - I think the majority, or hope that the majority, of us are all on the same page, but certainly not at the same level to dictate terms. I now that all though my chops are still maturing I am still challenged mentally by the drab locations and weddings that have no structure and no “substance”. Granted the lack of a clearly defined vision is part of my problem, but I am starting to buy into the belief that shooting at the same drab location with the same drab group is doing nothing for me but drawing out more frustration. Sure I have a long way to go in crafting my images. And yes my “vision” is still being defined. But over all I am strongly influenced by the environment in which I shoot. So the point is YES I to want to only accept those jobs where I WANT to shoot to get the images I WANT. Yes I want to provide something wonderful for the client, but what I WANT to provide. And if they have hired me then they have bought into MY vision. (Caveat#1: I have a day job so I can be the selective artist. Caveat #2: Once I have mastered my craft & vision this will be my stance).
Hey George,
I hope it didn’t come across that I was saying I always shoot in great locations. That just isn’t the case. In a perfect world, sure, that might be grand. But, the reality, there are many spots I find myself in that are less than optimal. I think you are on the right track in terms of trying to define your vision, and also trying to work with clients/jobs that allow you to make your style of image. I think that is critical for mental survival, unless you have highly skilled in the arts of not caring, which I am not.
It seems like the key is to find that sweet spot. Shooting for good people, in a good location, with good light, and receiving good compensation. It’s pretty rare to get all of this, so the question becomes – where am I willing to compromise?
Maybe a better question is how do I get in front of clients who can increase the odds of getting more of the “goods” listed above?
Hey Jason,
For me, you need all those ingredients with every job. Again, I know that is difficult, but if you want to make a certain level of image, there is little you can do to achieve it without those ingredients. And as for the price, it should be what it is. I’m not a believer in fitting budgets. I know that might sound crazy, but I think that typically only leads to headache down the line. Clients will typically begin their budget cuts with the photography, and in my experience, that isn’t what you want. Wiggle room is one thing, but “fitting a budget” tends to translate as “we know the photographer will cave on the price.” I say this because I heard this EXACT thing many times over the years. And don’t think this is native to weddings. This happens in all genres. It is the world we created, so we have to deal with it.
I do think there was a ten year time frame of silly money for wedding shoots, which was greatly in tune with the silly housing market numbers. “Hey, I’m gonna hang an insane price tag on my work and see who bites.” For about ten years the water was frothing with bites. Now, perhaps a different story.
Dan – - No did not come across that way, but wouldn’t it be nice!
I really could care less where the wedding is held. For me it’s: Do I like the couple and do our personalities mesh. [They wouldn't have hired me if they didn't already like my work] If not, even if the wedding is at the Taj Mahal the pictures will be lacking.
Although nice locations are nice what I am zeroed in on is the emotional dance of all the players of the event and the moments that make up the story of their day.
Give me a great crowd, real emotions and a garbage heap.
Well, while I would agree that the connection to the couple is the key ingredient here, for me, I want a location that adds to the event. But, that’s just me. Do my Hasselblad images look good in the vaulted ceiling ballroom of a Ritz? No.
I learned a lot from my newspaper days. Can I make a picture in a windowless room, with three execs staring at their laptops? Yes. Will this image make my portfolio? Will it be etched into my mind as a “life” image? While not impossible, the odds are not likely.
A great location, for me, creates a sense of freedom and for being able to do more. Each wedding I do is done differently. Next weekend, my next wedding. I’ve got two separate styles of images I will do simply because of where this wedding will be held. If I was shooting in OC, or Malibu or Santa Barbara I would not do either of these things, I would do things more native to those locations.