Uncomfortable Situation
/forum/topic/664453/1

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gillyohan
Registered: Dec 30, 2004
Total Posts: 1001
Country: United States

Like them all, but the moon shot really stands out to me.



gabemc
Registered: Jun 23, 2005
Total Posts: 2782
Country: Canada

Mel...you did an incredible job on this wedding. Great images that don't distract the viewer...she should be EXTREMELY happy with these.

cheers.



bonniebruno
Registered: May 30, 2008
Total Posts: 36
Country: United States

Mel, you handled this beautifully.
I have to admit, I bristled at a term used by the first poster ("figmented"):

"well, shes got some really rad shots that dont show her badside.. tho her portraits arent gonna be a looker..."

My 5 1/2-year-old granddaughter is severely disabled, born with a rare syndrome. We've learned to ignore the stares and the insensitive comments, but it boggles my mind as to why mature adults miss the message--"There but for the grace of God go I."

This bride does not have a "badside". It's a beautiful thing when we witness a person like her groom, who sees deeper than surface beauty. He is exceptional, and I expect they'll have an exceptional marriage because of it. Your work is exceptional, too, Mel. Congratulations on a fabulous collection of wedding photos!



trillium
Registered: Sep 01, 2004
Total Posts: 770
Country: United States

No comment on how the 'elephant in the room' was handled. These are wonderful pictures. Obviously the groom sees the brides true beauty, and the photos bring out that beauty as well.

Mel you're awesome.



timsims
Registered: Mar 19, 2004
Total Posts: 241
Country: United States

I can't express....

Exquisite.



unblinkable
Registered: Mar 22, 2005
Total Posts: 5554
Country: United States

Y'all actually made me get weepy! Thank you SO much!



unblinkable
Registered: Mar 22, 2005
Total Posts: 5554
Country: United States

And, Hassy... that was for the cheapy sparklers! These were the expensive, 4 minute ones!



Steve Blagg
Registered: Apr 20, 2007
Total Posts: 300
Country: United Kingdom

Truely amazing Mel

The more I scrolled down they just kept getting better, brilliant job.



Evan Baines
Registered: Jan 15, 2007
Total Posts: 4581
Country: United States

Why is there no emoticon for: "tips hat and inclines head in a respectful bow for recognition of superb professional achievement?"

Edited by Evan Baines on Jul 08, 2008 at 10:26 AM GMT



hassy501
Registered: Jun 22, 2006
Total Posts: 2756
Country: United States

unblinkable wrote:
And, Hassy... that was for the cheapy sparklers! These were the expensive, 4 minute ones!



Awesome !! Uniquely singular !



unblinkable
Registered: Mar 22, 2005
Total Posts: 5554
Country: United States

Evan Baines wrote:
Why is there no emoticon for: "tips hat and inclines head in a respectful bow for recognition of superb professional achievement?"

Edited by Evan Baines on Jul 08, 2008 at 10:26 AM GMT


Hahaha! Thank, Evan... that is high praise from you.

I thought about you several times over the weekend. I'm SO sorry we couldn't get together!!! But we go through Nashville at least once or twice a year, so there'll be another opportunity soon! Maybe in October!



unblinkable
Registered: Mar 22, 2005
Total Posts: 5554
Country: United States

hassy501 wrote:
unblinkable wrote:
And, Hassy... that was for the cheapy sparklers! These were the expensive, 4 minute ones!



Awesome !! Uniquely singular !


I just wish I could have closed the heart!!! It's bugging me!!!



liza
Registered: Jan 31, 2005
Total Posts: 1724
Country: United States

They're perfect. You've captured the emotion flawlessly.



scott shoemake
Registered: Apr 21, 2007
Total Posts: 1708
Country: United States

Tremendous. You're an angel of a human being Melanie.



PhotoDude79
Registered: Jan 29, 2008
Total Posts: 1214
Country: United States

You did a awesome job considering going in blind....



Andrew Welsh
Registered: Jan 20, 2007
Total Posts: 4563
Country: United States

Being an engineer, I like to reverse-engineer things sometimes. For the more technical minded folks here who would like to be able to handle such a situation in the future, let's break down specifically what she did:

- Flare shots to distract attention a bit / wash out the couple a bit
- full-body composition to reduce the amount of face
- Minimize head shots / closeups
- full profile shots from the side
- B&G hugging / kissing to hide / bury parts of the face
- Have them interact / do something in a way that allows an expression of their love and affection for one another, keeping in mind the guidelines above.

Any other specific techniques I missed?

BTW great overall effort, you did handle this well. I suspect your experience saved you on this day.. someone new like myself would have fumbled tremendously and quietly fumed about why I wasn't informed ahead of time to mentally prepare. Ah well, I guess this is a testament to the value of a client meeting in person before a wedding, be it for a bridal, e-session or fireside chat.



Aberdeen Photo
Registered: Mar 10, 2006
Total Posts: 3812
Country: United States

Lovely Mel, lovely....

Tom



ksmahgrts
Registered: Nov 23, 2005
Total Posts: 5658
Country: United States

bonniebruno wrote:
Mel, you handled this beautifully.
I have to admit, I bristled at a term used by the first poster ("figmented"):

"well, shes got some really rad shots that dont show her badside.. tho her portraits arent gonna be a looker..."

My 5 1/2-year-old granddaughter is severely disabled, born with a rare syndrome. We've learned to ignore the stares and the insensitive comments, but it boggles my mind as to why mature adults miss the message--"There but for the grace of God go I."

This bride does not have a "badside". It's a beautiful thing when we witness a person like her groom, who sees deeper than surface beauty. He is exceptional, and I expect they'll have an exceptional marriage because of it. Your work is exceptional, too, Mel. Congratulations on a fabulous collection of wedding photos!


this entire post bears repeating.

thank you bonnie.



Ken Vigil
Registered: Oct 02, 2007
Total Posts: 408
Country: United States

You did an outstanding job in a situation that required a lot of sensitivity and grace. I would hope to do as well if presented with a similar situation. She will treasure these as she should.

ken



Darrell Lee
Registered: Mar 09, 2007
Total Posts: 70
Country: United States

awesome job. your pictures really show how creative and sensitive wedding photographers have to be.



R.E. Simmons
Registered: Jul 27, 2006
Total Posts: 67
Country: United States

The Groom found a woman who who loves him, the Bride found a man that loves her. It would appear that they know what is important to each other. You did a lovely job of capturing their day! How lucky they have a friend with such talent. Kudos.



simon_says
Registered: May 22, 2006
Total Posts: 812
Country: Canada

Amazing work! You handled this like a true professional, and it's inspirational to hear this story!



Joanna Pecha
Registered: Jan 31, 2003
Total Posts: 477
Country: United States

stunning, sensitive and a real tribute to your beautiful couple! Made me wipe tears of joy away!!



Jimsokay
Registered: Feb 15, 2005
Total Posts: 804
Country: United States

Beautiful photos! Your professionalism is unquestionable.



corndog
Registered: Sep 05, 2006
Total Posts: 3533
Country: United States

With all the positive feedback, there's really no reason to reply. I find myself compelled to do so anyway!

You have made the absolute best of an awkward situation. You truly earned this win, they were very lucky to have you. I usually shake my head at what local wedding photographers are paid, compared to their results. No matter the number, I say you earned it.

On a side note, would they both be ok with these on the forum? Most of us are fairly mature, but some aren't...



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