As I'm finishing up the editing on my latest wedding, I'm realizing how uncomfortable I still am posing wedding parties.
I've studied posing, in books, online, etc. but getting really 'cool' wedding party poses just seems elusive to me. I struggle with it in the moment. Brides and Grooms, not really a problem - but getting 10+ people arranged in a really modern, chic set up - Hmm. That is definitely something I'm still working on.
It's not that I feel that I'm 'bad' at it...more like, I struggle with getting something more fresh and modern. I look at them and think, "mmhmm, that's pretty standard." And that's the problem. They are solid, standard wedding photos. I don't want to be 'standard'.
I think adding to my disdain on the subject of wedding party pictures is the fact that I love, and prefer to do, more candid-style shots. And there is nothing 'candid' about those things - you've got to arrange bodies. There is no way around it. And it's not just my own work on wedding parties that I dislike. Doing a Google image search for 'bridal party pictures' or 'wedding party pictures' yields me all the same stuff. There is maybe one picture in 5,000 that gives me pause. And that's a problem, don't you think? Why are we as photographers constantly coming up with gorgeous, fresh ideas for the Bride and Groom, but our wedding party photos look like they could have come straight out of our parent's wedding albums, or go on a list of "Wedding Photography DO NOTS"?
Is there really no way to make these photos look like they are fresh out of the oven of AWESOME instead of drowned in cheese and lame sauce?
I am now on a mission to come up with 4 or 5 really sincere, modern poses for wedding parties.
If you know of a wedding party photo that you love and think is totally rad, PLEASE leave a comment with a link to it! Thanks in advance! Or if you just have suggestions, commiserations, or any other such thing to say, feedback is always welcome. What do you think of posed wedding party shots? Like? Dislike?
I once saw a pic I really liked where the wedding party was close to the camera and framed like normal on the left and the right of the frame, while the couple was pretty far away and in the background (but in the center of the pic). The couple was in a kiss or looking at each other or something, while the wedding party was looking towards the center of the image. So, from the perspective of the person looking at the pic, it looked like the wedding party was looking at the couple, but it couldn't be possible because they were behind the wedding party.
ReplyDeleteSorry this sounds so confusing. But it was cool because it played with perspective and space, which I liked, and it almost felt like the wedding couple was an afterthought even though it was clearly thought out.
I hate posing people, so I let John do all the posing if I can. John is pretty good at posing everybody in different staggered ways and from various interesting angles. Here's a link to one of our faves of the bridal party. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PWI6zDNLVvE/TC5dtx3j4QI/AAAAAAAAAzc/byQFtPNSlMU/s1600/hatzung+(15).jpg
ReplyDeleteMelissa - thanks so much! I also love playing with space and perspective. I am 99% sure I understand what you're describing. Sounds neat and I will mess around with that.
ReplyDeleteTaryn - if that is the picture of the girls with the umbrellas, and from the awesome wedding with the Bride with the rockstar/nerd glasses, then I'm gonna flip. The wedding party photos from that wedding are my favorite ever. Seriously. Umbrellas are SO overdone but yours look incredible! You and John set the standard. I'm gonna go look now. LOL
For the most part I don't mind, I just don't prefer it. No matter what I do, it just feels cliche or stale or cheesy.
Thank you ladies! -Sam
Hello Miss Sam:
ReplyDeleteI have a couple that I really like...it works with different heights and depths. Thanks!!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=148691851829743&set=a.148691728496422.21132.117984738233788
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=148691868496408&set=a.148691728496422.21132.117984738233788&pid=301738&id=117984738233788
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=146623875369874&set=a.146618788703716.20462.117984738233788
SAM!!! This is Lucy!!! U DID AN AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME job on my wedding pics!! U took 3 of me and the extended fam, I LOOVVE THEM. Even though no one is " looking at the camera" how u got the pic is great. I think the best group pics are the ones that are not posed. Everyone is unique and u want that in your pics. Someone walking in, somebody looking off, kids doing crazy stuff, anything u can think of that might happen, happens!! Thats a TRUE family picture. Thanks again, you are wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteLauren - thank you! I love new and creative ideas!
ReplyDeleteAnd Lucy - THANKS girl! Your wedding was a blast and I'm SO glad you liked your pictures! You rock! Say hello to the boys for me! xo
-Sam