Stylish Weddings: Create Dramatic Wedding Photography in Any Setting

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this book to my parents, Keith and Mala, for their undying love and support and to Alycia for pushing me not only to be a better photographer, but an even better person.

Copyright 2016 by Kevin Jairaj.

All rights reserved.

All photographs by the author unless otherwise noted.

Published by:

Amherst Media, Inc.

P.O. Box 586

Buffalo, N.Y. 14226

Fax: 716-874-4508

www.AmherstMedia.com

Publisher: Craig Alesse

Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins

Editors: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt, Harvey Goldstein, Beth Alesse

Associate Publisher: Kate Neaverth

Editorial Assistance from: Carey A. Miller, Sally Jarzab, John S. Loder

Business Manager: Adam Richards

Warehouse and Fulfillment Manager: Roger Singo

ISBN-13: 978-1-60895-935-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015939885

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.

Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the authors experience and opinions. The author and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.

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Contents

WHAT COUPLES WANT

As a wedding photographer, it is my goal to create contemporary, fashion-forward images of every aspect of the wedding day for my clients. I strive to produce images that are modern, dramatic, stylish, and unexpected. I want my images to make my clients feel like celebrities. When they view their albums, I hope theyll say, Wow! Is that really me? Did that really happen? I want their friends and family to say, You look like a model! You should be in a magazine.

I take my time photographing my subjects, with the goal of producing images that speak to them and communicate who they are. Wedding photographs are mementos, things to be cherished for years, decades, and even generations to come. Each client deserves the very best and most personal images I can produce. I look at each wedding and each bridal session as a unique opportunity to produce fresh, unforgettable work.

Achieving that goal means staying on top of trends, in terms of both fashion and technology. I am always looking at fashion magazines from all over the world. It helps me to keep pushing forward creatively and allows me to enhance my clients experience. Staying up to date on photographic trends and new technologies allows me to keep evolving as an artist as well.

PERSONAL STYLE

The biggest compliment, for me, is hearing someone say, I knew that was your image right away (because of the lighting, posing, etc.). Cultivating a personal style takes time and effort, but its important. The rewards of creating images that are consistent with your personal style come when you present your clients albums and images and see the joy on their faces.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

In this book, you will learn how I approach shooting throughout the wedding day. I will show you the posing, lighting, and compositional approaches I have used to create stylish and elegant images of the bride, stand-out photographs of the groom, and innovative shots of the wedding party. You will also learn how I capture the other important details of the dayfrom the location, to the flowers, cake, rings, and more. With these tips, youll be able to re-create similar looks for your own clients.

It is my goal to create contemporary, fashion-forward images of every aspect of the wedding day....

NATURAL MOMENTS

I like to capture couples being themselves. I am not big on posing, so I tend to simply prompt couples. I might say something like nuzzle in. At that point, I work from a distance with a long lens and capture natural moments as they unfold.

KEY IDEAS

Each of these images documents a natural, romantic moment during the wedding day, and each has a unique feel. In the top-left image, the water droplets add a layer of interest and heighten the romance. For the image below, I shot from a low angle to show the grandeur of the ceremony location. The top image on the facing page depicts the contented joy the couple was sharing. In the final image (facing page, bottom), the couple is lost in a private, tender moment that naturally unfolded.