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Archive 2015 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean

  
 
joelconner
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


Sometimes, things just don't go according to plans.

We returned home late Saturday night after a destination wedding in St. Lucia. It was a wedding we booked about 8 weeks ago where we would be traveling with the couple and their friends/family on a 7 day cruise. The wedding would be on day 3. It was going to be a pretty short timeline on the wedding day day. On day 4, we would do a 2 hour session on a beach that I would find. We had a challenging time before the wedding communicating with the couple. They are both busy professionals (and planning a wedding on a short timetable), so it was nothing overly intentional...they just had other priorities. Because of that, we did not have much of a relationship established with them. In some cases, that is not a big deal, but in this situation, we definitely could see how it affected the process. We did as much as we could before the wedding day to integrate and get to know everyone, but it was a challenge.

The day comes, and the groom ended up being fairly stressed about things taking too long and missing our time to get back to the ship, so our portrait time was cut short. The time we did have, he was not into it. The bride is very quiet, and even though she was working with me just fine, he was the stronger personality. Obviously, I did not want to dictate anything to them, so I went along with their wishes to be quick. No worries, we had two hours set aside tomorrow (which I offered to share with the videographers who were there, because heck...I don't need two full hours!).

The next day comes, and that two hours becomes 30 minutes...which I then still split with the videographers. Looking back, I should have told them they would just have to shoot around me (since I did all of the planning and research), but I did not do that. So, I had about 15-20 minutes to shoot when I had made plans for a good solid hour of ideas.

For the next 3 days, I could not sleep well because I was feeling so disappointed about not getting to do what I wanted. But, when it comes down to it...the images I did get are good (but not great), and my couple will be happy with them. Ideally in that situation, we would be with a couple who incredibly values what we do and gives us the freedom to go nuts. That was not the case, but we still had a job to do. Thankfully, our next two international weddings this year are with people who are super pumped to have us there.

EDIT: Don't get me wrong...the couple and their family/friends were great. Especially after the shooting days were done, we gelled with them very well. It was just a situation of differing priorities than most of our couples.

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Apr 14, 2015 at 09:20 PM
FrancisK7
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


Very solid set. I like it!

You gave the couple what they wanted. Remember their wedding/trip is not your photo shoot.

I dream of doing destination weddings, haven't had the opportunity yet. I too would be disappointed in not having as much time as I would have planned/wanted. I get it completely.

I have no doubt they'll be happy. Next time you can invest more time in establishing a relationship since you now know it makes such a big difference in how things unfold, especially if you're going to spend a whole week with them.




Apr 14, 2015 at 09:40 PM
MRomine
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


If you had not told the story I would never have known it by looking at the photos. Nice job!


Apr 14, 2015 at 10:07 PM
hardlyboring
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


4 would be better in BW.
Processing is good overall but I do see some variation which I am sure was intentional. They won't care but I was border line like what the heck...
Nice job. Seems like you managed things well enough. Set is great.



Apr 14, 2015 at 11:17 PM
Bartlett Pair
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


Awesome! I would not have guessed you had time issues without reading your intro.


Apr 15, 2015 at 01:11 AM
Njphotostudio
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


Great work


Apr 15, 2015 at 06:22 AM
ogerisg321
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


Like usual you still did an amazing job.
Life gave you lemons and you made lemonade.

1,23,24 and 25 for me.



Apr 15, 2015 at 06:23 AM
joshua grasso
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


I expected worse with that set up lol. Not bad at all. And at least they were cool enough to get in the water too. Everytime I feel like I'm at a cool location I feel so much extra pressure since you don't always get to shoot there.


Apr 15, 2015 at 11:59 AM
dgleason
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


I think you DO have some great images in here. I've found the few times I've traveled and shot destinations there is always some sort of trouble. You handled it well. Great Job!


Apr 15, 2015 at 12:29 PM
BigIronCruiser
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


Interesting byline. Photographers usually get the short end of the stick if there are time constraints. You made the best of what you were given, and your clients should be happy with the results.

Lots of good shots, although #33 stands out to my eyes. #19 may be the weakest due to the background and posing of the bridesmaids.



Apr 15, 2015 at 01:46 PM
joelconner
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


Thanks, all...glad to see I was just being overly harsh on myself. I think so many times the emotional connection I have with images from a wedding vary depending on how the day/experience went.

hardlyboring wrote:
4 would be better in BW.
Processing is good overall but I do see some variation which I am sure was intentional. They won't care but I was border line like what the heck...
Nice job. Seems like you managed things well enough. Set is great.


Yeah, there were a few that were definitely different....21 is the one that really stands out to me. That was a stitched pano (to get a more medium format feel), and it did it at a separate time from when I was doing the rest of the set.

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joshua grasso wrote:
Everytime I feel like I'm at a cool location I feel so much extra pressure since you don't always get to shoot there.


No kidding. It was days and days before I could let go of the pressure.

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BigIronCruiser wrote:
Lots of good shots, although #33 stands out to my eyes. #19 may be the weakest due to the background and posing of the bridesmaids.


Yeah, I am pretty terrible at posing groups....it's one thing that are trying to work on. We can do it, but when we are extra short on time, I start missing little posing things from the supporting staff because I am focusing on the bride.



Apr 15, 2015 at 03:23 PM
sgtbueno
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


They'll more than happy with this set. Beautiful work.


Apr 15, 2015 at 07:53 PM
klee.007
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Destination Wedding in the Caribbean


Awesome job buddy!

Keith



Apr 16, 2015 at 04:45 PM





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