Special thanks go out to Jean and Mark for letting us shoot their wedding on January 30th. Working with a great laid back couple on a relatively brief wedding shoot was a wonderful way to kick off our 2010 wedding year. Chris was a a huge help, on both the engagement session and doing some second shooting and assisting on the wedding day. I feel like I am finally coming into my own a bit more as a wedding photographer. For this shoot, we were able to mix flash and available light more seamlessly as well as come in with a few more ideas. The shot above was done using the almost made-for-photography makeup lights above the mirror.

One thing I always try to capture is the groom reacting to his bride as she enters the ceremony. Most everyone else is focused on the bride. Mark was overjoyed. Maybe “euphoric” is a better word.

As Chris was busy setting up some lights, I rattled off a silhouette or two. The Little Chapel of the Roses in Bonita is a great location and easy to shoot. Lots of pretty stained glass, some window light leaking in here and there and plenty of white surfaces to bounce light off of.

For the two above, we staged some “fake” window light by blasting some radio-triggered flash through a big white curtain. On the second one, I left my aperture alone and just slowed the shutter down to bring the background in more. This is where it really pays to have an assistant, aka “Voice Activated Lightstand” (VAL) with you!

Looking for natural “frames” within the frame can be a great way to give photos some interest. Its a technique I’ll be pursuing more and more in the coming months. Thanks again Jean and Mark! If you’re planning a San Diego area wedding and need a photographer, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks for looking!

-R