Photo Prose
Gary Rabenko
The perfect wedding! I had planned to discuss some common “disconnects” between photographer and client in this article today. But since my whole style involves a certain impromptu, go with the flow, and make the most of every moment approach, I have decided to discuss some positive things that actually occasionally do occur, and which can make your photographer’s job worth doing and the results worth viewing.
Why this sudden shift to the positive? Guess it all has to do with one of the most recent weddings I just had the pleasure of photographing!
Everyone who plans a wedding, to some extent involves themselves in the little and big details. Some do not plan enough, and often others plan much too much. But often when it comes to the big day, instead of ENJOYING the day, really living it, and getting emotionally involved in experiencing every moment to the fullest, those planners are more focused on planning than on partying. So instead of celebrating the great joy that is all about, they actually allow themselves to get distracted by what I can only describe as trivialities as; “this is not what I was expecting”, or “That needs to be moved over here!” etc.
To me, emotion is everything! Ultimately each and every image a photographer creates is meant to move the viewer in some way. And as an artist, how difficult it can be to photograph that once in a lifetime’s event, in those unfortunate instances when the “life” is not being lived for the moment!
What a pleasure it was to photograph this recent wedding, where it seemed no expense was spared, and no detail overlooked, but more importantly where the parents, couple, and friends truly, and joyously reveled in the veryreason they were there, and rejoiced in strong laughter and meaningful tears.This was an incredible wedding for all the right reasons!. I say this as a photographer who has had the honor of creating imagery at some incredible venues and for countless wonderful people. And no doubt, I could have written this at times in the past regarding them. But as I sat down to write about the many things people do to prevent the photographer from creating the great imagery that could be, I was struck by the fact that somehow at thiswedding, so few if any of those negatives were present.
So I figured we could all benefit from hearing about the positives from a photographer’s point of view.
Everyone was excited and happy. They were happy relating to each other. They were happy being together and being photographed together. They started celebrating the day right off, and the photo session was a positive, not a negative. It seemed to represent the start of big day, not an impediment to it. This is important, and as a photographer, my style is to create imagery that conveys such feelings.
They also seemed to value the importance of the photo session, and made sure to appear on time. The clothing was magnificent, but again, more important to me, it was not fussed over. The make up was great, but the make up artist had the wisdom to realize that unless a touch up was vital, lesser distractions lead to better photography.
The Bride and Groom were ready on time, and others showed respect to the couple, by not distracting them with all their own personal cameras. Those cameras can be a terrible distraction and totally prevent a subject-photographer relationship from ever developing. Just imagine a public speaker, who’s every other sentence is met with some audience member’s comment. That is called heckling. Family and guests were not everywhere snapping photos and preventing us from doing our work. Not once did someone delay me, or distract the family to take their snapshot, for what ever poorly rationalized reason they often give.
Creativity was appreciated throughout, and it was cultivated. Enthusiasm for that creativity was obvious. All the venders seemed to care about the client, and what is so important from my perspective, is that they seemed to understand that the photo crew were not second in importance, but that we knew what we were doing.
No caterer suggested that I take pictures here, or shoot over there, and I in turn, did not offer seasoning suggestions.
No party planner interrupted my work to speak to the client.
Guests were not complaining that we were in their way, or placing half filledglasses one step below us on the ladder!
The clients specifically asked that we arrange the Bedecken area for best results, and the guests were happy to not block the Bride, in order to have a better view themselves.
Photographers were not chased away, but actually made to feel that our presence was valued (can you imagine!). We were not considered an unwanted distraction, but welcomed and part of the celebration. No one complained before seeing where our ladders would be, that they were in the way.
The hotel’s banquet manager, involved himself in making sure that I had the space and place I needed to photograph the families.
The event itself, presented an intoxicating array of emotions, that are the very core of any simcha, and which were not lessened for any reason, or distracted by any triviality. In fact all the beautiful details that were so carefully planned, only served to raise those emotions and to obviously elevate.
All the venders too seemed to work together for the client’s good.The Orchestra seemed perfect in their timing, matching music with mood, and delivering on sounds with style. More importantly, they took an interestin everything that was happening, with time table accuracy, not notifying meof something about to happen, which only later occurs. And the décor was an elegant yet modern style that complemented the Bride’s gown and was more colorful than not with a three dimensional application, of which I wish I would see more of at other events, if such intricate designs could be ready early enough for the photo session.
But the most beautiful thing about this wedding was the genuine expression of the myriad of emotions that I would hope every photographer keeps two eyes open for, and that every client ultimately will so much appreciate being able to feel later, in later weeks, months and years in their albums, their video and on their walls.
Such imagery can only be achieved with the right teamwork. It needs a client for whom imagery is important and where the photographer is respected not as just another snap shooter. And it needs a photographic approach that mixes technique with theatre.
Go to the theatre. What have you got without great emotion? What have you got without skilled lighting? What have you got without the director’s sensitivity to match the technical with the theatrical?
Anyone can take pictures. Anyone can play with their camera and talk about soft light, hard light, and contrast. Anyone can plan an event and hire venders But not anyone can really live the role, of either Simcha Celebrant, or photographic artist. I have always said that being a photographer and being a professional picture taker are two very different things. Above all, a photographer must not only paint with light (not just snap lights) but must also have a statement to make and an audience who enjoy listening.
It has always been a pleasure working with persons who appreciate that difference and I thought this week would be the perfect time to say so.
Photo Prose by Gary Rabenko
This article was originally published during 2005-2009 in 5 Towns Jewish Times http://5tjt.com/