This was a wonderful day with an equally wonderful couple. The reception was held at Jay Peak and a gondola ride to the top was the first order of business. The day was perfect for photos--a little overcast with views for miles. We took pictures along the trails overlooking the slopes below. It would have been just fine to leave it at that, but I noticed people at the very top looking out towards Lake Memphramagog and made an idle wish: "I wish we could go up there". Like the fairy tale princess, our intrepid bride said "lets go"! And great pictures happened.
The view was tremendous from the top, but more than that, the bride and groom in evening dress against the rugged background made for stunning photographs that she and I will treasure forever. It's a part of who she is as a person; she sees opportunities, not obstacles.
This is an often overlooked ingredient in great photos. Yes, a photographer needs good equipment and the skill and knowledge required to use it but the bride and groom who are willing to step outside the box and have fun with their photos is the secret ingredient that makes for really great photos.
I was reminded of this on my first wedding for 2008, last Saturday. It's may in Vermont and that means mud and snow everywhere. Most people do not want to go outside to take pictures in this weather. This past Saturday was not exceptional: overcast and cool--some would say cold! The wedding gown was tasteful. It was white with a mid length train. The wedding party came all the way from New Mexico for this wedding and I thought that they were going to get out there and figure out that pictures taken outdoors in April in Vermont would be way to much trouble. This is another bride I will never forget. She went up and over ten foot tall frozen snow banks in that beautiful gown (they had been smart and changed to boots for the formals) to pose in front of a gorgeous waterfall. They were freezing, but their faces showed nothing but composed happiness whenever the camera swung their way.
I guess photographs are just like everything else: you will get out of them what you are willing to put into them. Extraordinary effort leads to extraordinary photographs. Oh I get great photos of most of my brides and grooms but the really fabulous photos--they are a two way street. It's good news and bad news for couples wanting great pictures. You have control over how great your pictures are but it will take a little effort.
