I shot this (see blog for all of them) understated, atmospheric bridal fashion set with the first two images in mind for the cover. They went and used a shot which I framed specifically to be displayed landscape, as is. I loved it's solitary atmosphere which was all about the space she was occupying. Anyway, they flipped and cropped it, and threw it on the cover
The reason they didn't use the pink shoed, jewelery box style ballet shot was because they feared complaints about the models skinny chest bones...
I'm never happy but I couldn't have seen this one coming. It's obviously a great opportunity and I am lucky but they are my babies and I had a vision dam it.
I seriously have to work the steps on a daily basis in this life..
I would have taken the second choice if I were concerned about the skinny model. I did however, notice it first before even reading your post, so maybe they had a point?
These are ridiculously good. Amazingly beautiful to be honest. When I think of how I want to shoot bridals in the coming year, the style in my mind is similar to these. I love the editorial look to them.
Love all your shots. Gorgeous! Nice locations to use too!
Personally I think that the image they chose shows her chest bones as much as the first shot. I had a magazine re-crop one of my images chosen for their cover once, and it bothered me so much that when they asked me to do another cover I had to explain about how the last cover bothered me (it's our baby; the whole image, cropping included) and that it could not happen again. They understood.
I just spent the last hour looking at your website. You are the most inspiring photographer I have seen on this site in a long time. Your work is out of this world and I am so glad that you are here on FM. These bridal's are amazing. I would die to have pictures like this come out of my camera! I love all three of the shots as well as all of the ones on the blog. Their crop on the cover is gorgeous, not as gorgeous as the original crop but still something to be proud of.
Really lovely work here. These are all very nice images.
I've been in the same situation with art directors myself. I will say that while I very much like #1 as a photograph, I understand the art director's position from a marketing standpoint. The image they chose is much less risky than your favorite, even if your choice is more dynamic. The chest bones *might* turn some potential readers off, while there's nothing in the ultimately chosen shot that would be objectionable. As a photographer I find #1 more interesting, though.
Love this work. Please post more. Great styling and location. High production values here, how many people were on the set?
I wouldn't worry about the crop for the cover. Designers prefer vertical for their layouts and certainly for cover. Sucks, because I think that 99.999999% of the world's best shots are horizontal. Just think about how we're all getting screwed with the 8x10 "standard" frame size--talk about perpetual minor irritations. Anyway, just be happy you got the cover! In the editorial world that's huge. Unfortunately it means they probably didn't use this wonderful image at all, inside.
Those turned off by chest bones are not in the mag's target market. Models have to be skinny; clothes drape, frames pose, and light cuts--all better with skinny chicks.
I think the posing and lighting in #1 seems a little forced, in contrast to the others in the set.
#2 the model's face and expression is a bit masculine for the dress, and lighting's a little too cool in the shadows.
I really like the natural posing and airy palette to either crops (and flip) of #3.
All nit picks. Great set! Very inspiring, I want to go out and try to more gigs with couture bridal designers now.
Kristin - these are truly fantastic. I love shots like this and look forward to working with a few brides who have the same vision. I'll be visiting the UK some time next year or after. would love to get together and pick your brain.
While I don't think the crop is bad (it still looks nice), I know that sinking feeling when you had a specific idea in mind and then, wham, it is completely changed. Great work regardless, and I hope they listen to your wishes next time.
For those who think the bride is too thin: my chest looks like that and no one in their right mind would consider me even close to being slightly too thin. It all goes to my rear. This bride doesn't look close to being too thin - it's possible that she just doesn't gain weight in that area.
Yeah #1 would have been an easy fix. I have to say though, I do like their portrait version of #3 more than the landscape. Not by a huge margin, but I do like that one tighter. Horizontal flip optional I suppose. :P
