Akesson PhotoBlog

Wedding photography is a team game,… a two way street .

It’s not only the photographer’s perceptions and influence but it’s also the expectations and participation of the various people involved. Since doing some second shooting at weddings [where I assist the contracted photographer - Chris Brown ] I’ve spent some time contemplating / analysing / reflecting on my experiences when it comes to shooting the guys in all the weddings I’ve shot.

Hmmm! Often it’s been less than relaxed. Chaotic even. More intent at burning off the nervous energy than getting ready for pics. At the same time you have this photographer who can make the mistake of assuming they would keen to get their faces into a digital image.

What’s the answer? Clarity in pre-planning with the groom and communicating that first up with all the guys. A bunch of guys on a wedding will, if there is no direction, go in all directions at a whim. It’s a team thing. At this wedding I talked to each of the guys as I took their individual photos first up. Told them what the pics were going to be used for.

So guys, this is what I had in mind with those first pics - simple portraits with a purpose. Sure we took heaps more pics of you during the day. But you got into game right from the start. It’s not just about the glamorous girls mostly but not all.

Sean was just a tad nervous. We used all the blues of the room and furniture as a calming effect for a pic full of smiles that actually camouflage the reality of inner butterflies. We guys don’t like to admit such a thing though!

WoW! My blogging has been a bit spasmodic for the last few weeks. Time to get a few pics up more regularly.

Been proofing weddings and preparing family shoots for printing and such - and getting company financial reports done for my day job. Nonetheless have heaps of fab and fun pics ready to blog.

Tonight 3 pics from the pre wedding preparations. Of course the beautiful bride Melissa, and then all the girls showing their enthusiasm and pre-ceremony butterflies by flexing their muscles. Add then one of the youngest groomsmen,… doing me a favour by sitting where dad will sit and being my model during the set up.

Lots more coming so keep checking back for more of the wedding - nearly finished proofing and then lots more will be up on the gallery for family and friends. And coming up are some different shots of Julia in front of Perth City [ a week before she left for USA] , a pre-wed shoot of Brant and Felicity, and more.

A wedding can be somewhat go-go-go for the newly-weds. The schedule of events gets jam packed with busyness. So nearing the end of some location shoots at the old railway station we took the opportunity to give Sean and Melissa time to take the weight off their feet and catch their breath. No such rest for the photography team though. And just as well,…. the pic we got was great!

Few weeks ago I posted some pics of a prewedding shoot with this terrific couple.

Well last Sunday they were married in an afternoon outdoor ceremony about 100 kms north of Perth. Great wedding. Fabulous day - though a bit bright outside during the ceremony [that's the photographer in me who likes a pile of fluffy white clouds to help with the lighting!!!] The whole wedding party were a fun group who appeared to really enjoy themselves all through the day. And with all the hard work that went into making the day just right it was really great that the day progressed pretty well without a hitch. A wonderful wedding.

Melissa was so beautiful that Sean just had to shed a tear when came down to join the ceremony. They both wore ivory/cream and the ladies had little black gowns.

One pic for tonight and some more during the week. For those who took part in the “photobooth” we had up, you can see some of them on the Akesson Photo Gallery. You will need a password - Melissa’s surname again. Again there will be more pics up in the various sections over the next week or so.

For the last 4 years our Kids Church at CCCHH have held an annual Hepburn Heights Super Star event for all the young budding entertainers of primary school age.  Last Sunday morning it was on. And I am truly amazed how talented some of these young kids are.  The odd butterflies to begin with but once they are on they are really into it.  And sometimes the winning talent just seems to come right out of left field.

Two of my favourite pics for today.  The first I felt was one of those really dramatic pics that I didn’t realise was so good til I processed them.  As you can see George the Gorilla was baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! So this one will be my opening pic for the slideshow.

And then the guitarist.  He was really good.  Sang that Linkin Park song,… What I’ve Done.  Tough song for a kid so young; a bit long for him.  Nevertheless I reckon he did a pretty fair job at it.  His guitar work was really great.

Melissa was fabulous to photograph on her recent pre-wed shoot. Here’s a pic of her listening to what I have in mind for this part of the shoot. Even then she had this amazing smile!!! I just know we’re going to get brilliant wedding pics of her and Sean. Here’s one with a bit of extra post processing. For family and friends the proofs are up for viewing on the AkessonPhoto gallery [ click on that and it will take you to the gallery] A password is required - it’s Melissa’s surname.

COMING UP SOON:

Tomorrow I’m second shooting a Macedonian wedding with Chris Brown. Chris takes fabulous wedding photos,… and this one is going to be huge and heaps of fun. All the celebrations and ceremony, symbolism and splendor that goes with the mix of traditional values in a relaxed contemporary society.

And I have some really great pics of one year old Secoyah to come soon.

Ok couldn’t resist. Couple more favourites that struck a chord with me on Sunday’s urban shoot.  First one was inside the cafe with the architecture from across the street as a “desaturated background” - that’s the tones it was.

Now I decided to drop this one in twice just show how much difference a pic like this can be when it’s in Black and White. People will react in vastly different ways,… but for me the B&W evokes far more from the viewer than the full colour - you get to see into the portrait.

And the second is in front of the window across the street - in front of none other than the snazzy Louis Vuitton shop! Great window.  Brilliant couple. Expensive handbags in the window.  And no, despite being open for business, they didn’t offer a free bag to Melissa

Three weeks without a post.  Hmmmm! That would be the longest I have been since I started blogging around July 2006. Millions of reasons but none that cut the ice - so to speak.

Late Sunday afternoon. A fabulous pre-wedding shoot with Sean and Melissa.  These two are so relaxed & at ease with each other in front of the camera. They really complement each other.  I reckon next session is going to be really out there with their wedding photos.  Can’t wait!

Typical Perth summers day.  Quite warm,… amazing light,… lot’s reflections from the city buildings.  And a really trendy cafe in King Street.  Just the ingredients for an urbane shoot.  Couple of my fave pics now and more before the weeks out.

Yep.  A really great couple to work with.

Saturday I had the privilege of spending a couple of hours helping a relatively new photographer get the best out of Adobe Lightroom.  So she comes along with hubby and bubby - a six month old little angel that you have seen in a previous post.

Now you probably will find this hard to believe but Nils has only been taking photos for a fairly short time.  Not long before she went on Maternity Leave she got hold of a Canon slr and started shooting.  Well take a look at these pics.  None of them are mine.  All I did was convert them to black and white and put them onto a template.  All the rest is her work.

She also showed some of the pics she had been taking of a young mothers group she goes to and they are great.  This girl’s got talent,…. a natural eye for composition.  She’s not afraid to just have a go. Oh yeah she’ll make the odd mistake but make no mistake on this,… she is learning really quick from the ones that don’t work and even quicker from the ones that go WOW!   I will keep you posted on her progress.

Her family is going to get great photos and so are the people who become her clientèle! So what do you reckon?