Photograph what you love – wedding photography part two

Photograph what you love – wedding photography

Part 2

During a wedding, emotion overflows. Emotion is demonstrated in tears of joy to laughter during the minister’s message or the Maid of Honor’s toast to the couple. I doubt that I will ever forget the toast where the Matron of Honor (the bride’s sister) told of a heartfelt story when the two were little girls and the bride gave her sister five dollars to buy a doll). The Matron of Honor had everyone laughing with tears of joy when she handed her sister the $5 from when they were little girls. Oh, the joys of a good heartfelt wedding toast.

Capturing the flowers, special dinnerware, and all the beauty of the decorations, table linens, and mementoes at a wedding are challenging but brings out the artist in me as a photographer. Capturing the beauty of the cake cutting utensils to the beautiful special ordered flowers is always a challenge and thrill as a wedding photographer. I look at each cake cutting utensil and think about how much time was spent deciding what to purchase and use for this special day.

I doubt that I will ever forget one flower that was a special flower that the bride wanted. When she walked into the room that contained the flowers and saw them, she broke out in tears of joy and gave the florist a huge hug.

Nor will I will ever tire of watching the groom and photographing his look when he sees his beautiful bride (his princess) walk down the aisle all adorned and glowing. Oh the emotions that flow when I see the father of the bride walk arm in arm with his daughter as the dad prepares to hand over his little girl to her groom. This part of the wedding ceremony always brings back the day when I walked my daughter down the aisle to give her over to her future husband. I cried all day and still cry when I think of the day. No longer will I be the most important guy in her life. As a photographer, I am able to capture for all of history, this very special moment in their life. The dad handing over his little princess to her groom that promises to love and protect his little girl.

More in the next post:

drFrank

www.frankkendralla.com

www.kendrallaphotography.com

www.kendralla.com

Blog updated with the first part of a series - Why I love photographing wedding photography - www.frankkendralla.com

Photograph what you love – wedding photography part one

Photograph what you love – wedding photography

Part 1

Photo by

Frank Kendralla

There is an old saying within the photography world, shoot what you love to show your maximum creativity and passion.

I love weddings and I love photographing weddings. Over the next few posts, I will share a few reasons why I love them and what stirred up this emotional passion.

First, during a wedding the photographer gets to shoot all types of photography. At any one time during the wedding, I can be an event photographer, outdoor photographer, nature photographer, food photographer, architectural, or portrait photographer. Both formal and environmental portraits are shot during a wedding. With all the action-taking place, some state that a wedding is like a sporting event.

Portraits of children are taken during the wedding (ring bearer, flower girl, junior bridesmaids, etc). Portraits of grandma with all the grandchildren and nana with her first grandchild always move me emotionally. When I see the little girls running around with flowers and bows in their hair with beautiful dresses, I think back to when my girls were little and all dressed up. It brings tears to my eyes (even as I type this paragraph) remembering their laughter and carefree attitudes. With little babies in the arms of grandma, bring back memories of when my mom held her first great grandchild (my granddaughter) for the first time and how precious the image will always remain in my mind. Watching the ring bearer run up to his uncle (the groom) and jumps into his arms, reminds me when my grandson did the same to my son in law. Capturing special moments are a great joy for me as a photographer.

Shooting pictures of fancy cakes and cookies are a challenge but very fun and worth all the efforts. Cakes come in all shapes and sizes. From cupcakes that form a huge tree to cakes shaped like a softball. It is my job as the photographer to capture each cake’s uniqueness for the bride and groom to remember. Some cakes are shiny and others full of color and shape. During the cake cutting, some time there are food fights and other times the exchange is very simple.

More in the next post:

drFrank

www.frankkendralla.com

www.kendrallaphotography.com

www.kendralla.com

See the light p. 3

Light illuminates and shadows define.

This statement has been stated for many years by many photographers. However, no many how many times I hear or read it in instructional material, the truth rings through each time.

Photo by Frank Kendralla

Nikon D300

Tamron 17-50

Lightroom 3.x Beta
The Club at Shadow Lakes

Aliquippa, PA
Lighting by Frank Gloor

Otto Productions

In our third post with images from The Club at Shadow Lakes. The beautiful lighting is from the lights Frank Gloor uses to light a facility. The lights frame the subjects and gives a beautiful look to the scene. Frank controls the lights via a radio signal and computers which enable him to create different combinations of colors and effects.


The flowers were provided by Ashley's Floral.

230 Lincoln Ave

Mc Knight, PA  15237-1947(Pittsburgh, PA Metro Area)

	(412) 369-9203

If you are interested in going beyond typical lighting and sound, check out Otto Productions. To view more images from the shoot visit this gallery on www.kendralla.com. 

Seeing the light p. 2

Photo by Frank Kendralla

Nikon D300

Tamron 17-50

Lightroom 3.x Beta
Shadow Lakes CC

Aliquippa, PA
Lighting by Frank Gloor

Otto Productions

More fun images from the Club at Shadow Lakes in Aliquippa, PA

In this image, I used the drapes behind the bride to frame her and the lights and reflections to create a fun looking image. Spot metering and manual exposure was used again to create this image.  If you like to play with photography, please learn this one tip, take your camera off "A" - auto or "P".  When you leave your camera in either A or P, your camera is doing all the thinking.  It is a computer and not an artist.  I doubt that Thomas Kinkade leaves his brushes on auto.  

Lighting on the bride's face and champagne bottle was done from an assistant camera right utilizing an LED flashlight. Lights were placed under the table and below the drapes to frame the scene with lights.


The special effects lighting was done by Frank Gloor of Otto Productions.  If you are interested in adding some beautiful lighting and great sound to your wedding or other special event, I suggest you contact Frank.  If you are interested in having your wedding or special event at a beautiful country club, call Brittney at the Club at Shadow Lakes.

Seeing the light

Photo by Frank Kendralla

Nikon D300

Tamron 17-50

Lightroom 3.x Beta

Shadow Lakes CC

Aliquippa, PA

Lighting by Frank Gloor

Otto Productions

This shot was taken to utilize both the lights and reflections to create an image that pops. Try manual exposure combined with spot metering to create images that do not look like the average shot.

A photographer should always be looking at the light, lines, reflections, and other items that help make an image pop rather than look like a snapshot. Try using spot metering rather than matrix metering and manual exposure to create a unique look.

Fun pictures

Photos by Frank Kendralla
Nikon D300
Tamron 17-50
Processed in Lightroom 3.x Beta

The Stumps do Dr. Phil: Episode 4 from Victory Family Church on Vimeo.

As a photographer, there are times when you find scenes that are too much fun to pass up.
These two are some fun shots I grabbed of the Stump's house (as seen on Dr. Phil).

A previous episode from Dr. Phil.

The Stumps do Dr. Phil: Episode 3 from Victory Family Church on Vimeo.