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Archive 2008 · Uncomfortable Situation

unblinkable
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Uncomfortable Situation

I had a wedding in Nashville this weekend... the groom was a high school friend of my husband's, and so this was our gift to them. We'd never met his fiancé, but I talked to her a good bit over the phone in the weeks before the date. At no point did she mention anything that might be beneficial to know before we shot the wedding... and so we just assumed that everything was per our usual.

The morning before the wedding, we had breakfast with the couple. They met us at our hotel and this was my first time to see the bride. Below is the picture we took out front under the sign with their names on it...

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/00.jpg

You can't really tell in this picture... but aside from the red splotches (that actually travel down her right side (and across her back), she also has two differently shaped eyes (that don't follow the same path), one iris that's a good bit larger than the other, and a pronounced bottom lip that's misshapen.

Now... understand that I would have accepted this job regardless of any deformity... my sister lost a leg to cancer at age 12... and was wheel chair bound due to a stroke at age 15... I'm quite accustomed to working with special cases. It's just really good to know about these situations ahead of time. Mainly, so that I can have an opportunity to talk it over with the bride and find out how she feels... what she thinks... how she wants me to approach the subject in picture form.

But it remained the elephant in the room. Nothing was ever said. And so I was left wondering what she would expect or want from her images. On the wedding day, her make-up artist did a good job toning down the red...

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/11.jpg

And so everything else was up to me to work out. I wanted, more than anything, to make her feel beautiful. She was SUCH a sweet girl... and it was clear that her groom was in love with her. I ended up giving her a good mixture from "seeing every flaw" to "minimizing the problem" all the way to "you'd never know anything was different". But it was VERY hard to think on the fly and keep it in my mind. Had I known ahead of time, I could have been more prepared. And I had just known how she felt, I'd have not worried so much about what to do.

Here are some of the results:

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/12.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/13.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/01.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/02.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/03.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/04.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/05.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/06.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/07.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/08.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/09.jpg

http://melaniemansfield.com/fm/rich_web/10.jpg

Edited on Jul 08, 2008 at 12:37 AM

Jul 08, 2008 at 12:36 AM

figmented
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Uncomfortable Situation

well, shes got some really rad shots that dont show her badside.. tho her portraits arent gonna be a looker, i feel you have enough other awesome shots to make up for it.

Jul 08, 2008 at 12:45 AM

Tad Killian
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Uncomfortable Situation

I've always said creativity is problem solving. Nice job Mel!

Tad

Jul 08, 2008 at 12:54 AM

NikonAndy
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Uncomfortable Situation

I think you did an absolutely beautiful job! Congrats on great results with a new situation. You handled it wonderfully!

Jul 08, 2008 at 12:59 AM

Sam Hassas
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Uncomfortable Situation

And the results of these is why Mel makes the big bucks. **stands, claps** Bravo Mel, bravo.

~Sam

Jul 08, 2008 at 01:13 AM

martsmith42
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Uncomfortable Situation

Mel, these are excellent. True professional. A real inspiration.

Jul 08, 2008 at 01:29 AM

Amy Koch
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Uncomfortable Situation

You did an amazing job on all of these! Wow! You should be beyond happy with the results! I was blown away! Congrats on a situation that you handled so well!

Jul 08, 2008 at 02:00 AM

ngm2000
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Uncomfortable Situation

These are so beautiful Melanie, really really fantastic. I've come across slight problems with appearance before, burns, birth marks, unwanted tattoos etc but have always had a chance to chat to the bride before hand about her feelings regarding her appearance and what she wants shown or disguised in her photos, to go all out there with no background on this at all, I would have been VERY nervous!

They look so in love and this shines through so everyone looks beautiful no matter what. I don't want to say 'well done' as this sounds so patronising coming from lil' ole me but really,... WELL DONE!

Nicola

Jul 08, 2008 at 02:15 AM

morganb4
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Uncomfortable Situation

Your most creative set yet, I reckon.

Jul 08, 2008 at 02:55 AM

paulhodson
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Uncomfortable Situation

Really well handled without making it obvious that you are avoiding the problem

Jul 08, 2008 at 03:14 AM

Young Image
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Uncomfortable Situation

The first picture posted doesn't mask any of the brides physical attributes but portrays what you talked about, the love they have for each other. That picture of them hugging may not be your favorite, it may be theres. What you view as a major concern may not have been a consideration for the couple. Nice job giving them the option.

Jul 08, 2008 at 04:20 AM

ksmahgrts
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Uncomfortable Situation

her expression says it all - she felt like an absolute princess that day and every time she looks at her photos she's going to be reminded of just how amazing it was.

these are stunning, mel. the mark of a true professional is the ability to be incredibly consistent and structured, and at the same time infinitely flexible. i'd say that sums you up pretty well!

your images are genuine, honest, and dignified.

she's beautiful and you captured her beautifully.

Jul 08, 2008 at 04:34 AM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Uncomfortable Situation

You dealt like a true professional in such a situation, and it's reflected it the work. These look excellent, and I'm sure any photographer on here would agree. Bravo!

Jul 08, 2008 at 05:18 AM

rocksy
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Uncomfortable Situation

incredible story.....incredible shots!
well done!

Jul 08, 2008 at 05:22 AM

itsthewoo
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Uncomfortable Situation

Wow. That is some truly professional work.

Jul 08, 2008 at 05:34 AM

RedWhiteandRed
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Uncomfortable Situation

Lovely photos.

Jul 08, 2008 at 05:38 AM

Sam tran
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Uncomfortable Situation

Well done ! and you're indeed capture the pure love of the couple with the images that I couldn't done much any better. I am also touch by his love for her. They are not only deserved one another, bu also deserved to have such a gift photographer like you.

Thanks for sharing,
Sam

Jul 08, 2008 at 05:38 AM

asimsoofi
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Uncomfortable Situation

Great work Mel. I really respect your balance, thought process, and sensitivity.

/asim

Jul 08, 2008 at 05:47 AM

deebo7
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Uncomfortable Situation

Wonderful photos.

Jul 08, 2008 at 05:56 AM

Italo Campilii
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Uncomfortable Situation

Mel,

You did a wonderful job. Just wonderful! AMAZING & trully inspiring

Jul 08, 2008 at 07:29 AM

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