A Wedding Photographer’s bag of tricks and this wedding at WA Frost
When I was a camp counselor, we would always talk about having a “bag of tricks” that you add to every week. The bag was a metaphor, but it tended to be filled with camp songs, get-to-know-you games, distraction ideas, time fillers, and a total lack of pride when performing in public; anything that would be useful for passing the time, dissolving conflict, or making obligations into adventures. My bag of tricks also relied heavily on chocolate syrup because instant chocolate milk is always a morale booster.
I don’t generally need camp songs at weddings, but I do believe that one of the most important parts of being a wedding photographer is having a lot of tools available no matter how the day unfolds. I use many types of lighting and lenses, people management, ideas for using spaces, posing suggestions, and tips for planning your family groupings. I generally don’t need all of those things, but I always need some of them.
Chris and Shauna’s wedding at WA Frost was intimate and loving – all the kids Shauna had nannied for were vying for her attention while also chatting up Chris, there was laughter during toasts and tears during the ceremony, there were a lot of cakes (yay!)
And my hope is that, when they look at the photos, they don’t spend any time thinking about the types of lighting I used in the dark spaces or the many images I stitched together to make a panorama. In fact, I hope they don’t remember me being there most of the time at all – just the ease of their wedding, the fun and love of their guests, and a lot of cakes (yay again!)
Now I’ll make myself a chocolate milk.
Ceremony: Longfellow Gardens
Reception: WA Frost
Cakes: Cafe Latte