DEL.ICIO.USBridal Guide 2004 - ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
A view from the other side of the lensFor the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/28/05
From the fainting groom to the late limousine, perhaps no one sees behind the scenes of a wedding more than the professional photographer.
 PARKER C. SMITH/Special | |||
| Sean Randall says the day's likely to go much more smoothly when things are kept to a manageable scale. | |||
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MOST POPULARAfter years of photographing weddings, three locally based pros offer some insider's tips on what works — and what doesn't — on the special day.
Jim Fitts
Much of this Vinings-based photographer's work includes shooting weddings for people he has met over his 20-year career. "I rarely shoot a wedding where I don't know the people," said Fitts. And one of the best tips Fitts offers to brides is to find a photographer you like working with, not just someone whose portfolio is impressive.
"Everybody has pretty things to show you on their Web site or in their portfolio, but it's more important to have someone you can interact with and who will interact well with your family and friends," said Fitts. "If everyone isn't comfortable with the photographer, there's going to be some disappointment when they see the pictures."
Fitts' version of "wedding photography hell" is when the bride and her mother can't agree. "Sometimes the bride wants one way and her mother wants another and there are very mixed signals about the styles and photos that get shot."
Fitts also encourages brides to hire a wedding planner.
"It makes everybody's life easier to have someone who's non-family cracking the whip a bit," he said. "The family can't always pay attention to the details you need. I've had cases where I had to go into the kitchen and get cocktail napkins because no one was there to tell the caterer they ran out. I've seen horse and buggy not show up and limos come late. A wedding planner with a cellphone can be incredibly helpful."
And someone needs to make sure the bandleader doesn't launch into any major moments — say, cutting the cake — until the photographer is in place and ready to shoot.
"I've been out on the front porch taking pictures and heard the bandleader announce the bouquet toss and had to break my neck getting in there," he said.
Sean Randall
About 80 percent of this Virginia-Highland photographer's work comes from weddings. "I do at least one a week, sometimes two or three," he said.
Along the way, he's seen the good, the bad and the ugly.
"I shot a wonderful wedding in Kentucky where everything in the ceremony was relevant to the couple," he said. "They were married on the hill where he proposed. They built arbors from the wood on the ranch where they lived. They used a dogwood theme because he proposed under a dogwood tree. But I've also seen grooms taking big swigs from their flask before walking down the aisle; a dad, walking up the path to the aisle with his daughter, who stopped to stub his cigarette out; really bad shoes with fishnet tights; and mothers wearing bad dresses with their underwear showing."
For the most part, Randall says, the day goes smoothly when things are kept to a manageable scale.
"I'm a big fan of smaller wedding parties," he said. "The more people you have, the more chaotic it can be. I've also had people give me huge lists of photographs to take. They want combinations of every granny, every auntie. If people hire me for my candid, artistic license and all my time is taken up with boring posed group shots, it leaves no time for the fun stuff."
Randall doesn't advocate taking the group shots before the actual event, either.
"A lot of people think if they take pictures beforehand, they can go right to the reception after the ceremony," he said. "But they're so nervous and uptight before the wedding that the pictures don't look calm and happy. The best picture is the one where the couple first walks down the aisle; they're relieved, happy and that's the best natural moment.
When you try to do something before, it's a massive photo shoot and there's a lot of pressure."
The best weddings have an element that's hard to put into words but that shows up clearly in the photos, said Randall.
"To me, it doesn't matter how beautiful the location is or how much money they've spent. You can tell if they're connected or bonded; there's more of a mood you feel about them. When you ask them to kiss, it doesn't look so icky that you want to say, 'Stop!' A wedding won't be a showpiece without the affection, and some people just don't have that magical bond."
Denis Reggie
One of the most sought-after wedding photographers in the country, Atlanta-based Denis Reggie has a résumé that lists more than 20 Kennedy weddings, including those of John F. Kennedy Jr. to Carolyn Bessette and Maria Shriver to Arnold Schwarzenegger. His success comes from the candid way he works.
"There's a demand for a truly reactive photographer, a finder of moments as opposed to a fixer or arranger," said Reggie. "I'm on the sidelines, not controlling the play. People look their best, and the most interesting photography comes about, when they're not aware of the camera. Folks who hire me want photographs that aren't expected; they're not the stand-here-hold-still sort."
That approach leads to a natural look in the pictures, including "imperfections" of windblown hair or tousled veils. "It's more about sensing and feeling the spirit of a day and documenting it without manipulation; showing reality with all its imperfections," he said. "To me, that's much more interesting than what's fixed to be perfect."
Some of what Reggie has witnessed in his 28-year career has been less than perfect.
"I've seen bridesmaids wearing brand-new shoes suffering through the entire day," he said. "I've seen brides and bridesmaids starve themselves to the end, then faint from the emotion. On the other hand, there are those who had a simple glass of something before the ceremony and there's a drip here, a drip there and a rush to clean the dress."
He's worked at receptions where pedestals of flowers just begged to be bumped over by revelers and where centerpieces were so tall they hid half the guests at the table.
"Working with professional florists helps avoid those pitfalls," he said. "And a coordinator or planner — even a church lady whose job it is to assist the family — can point out the warning signs of things you want to avoid."
Though he admits to seeing more than a fair share of ugly dresses, Reggie says he's also been impressed by some.
"I've seen very innovative uses of the same fabric so the dresses had a complimentary design that fit a range of shapes. That approach worked well with the expectant bridesmaid."
Though he's prepared to work through any challenge, there are a few he suggests avoiding before they arise.
"For instance, a breath mint sounds like a great idea, particularly before you kiss the bride, but it noticeably affects the shape of one's mouth," he said. "New shoes are slippery going down an aisle; scuff up the soles before the ceremony. Glasses with tinting to them also have their challenges, too, but overall, I think wedding photographers will know what to work around.
"Most weddings are overwhelmingly enjoyable and great times, without incident or challenge."
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