Jan 5'th 2008 marked a new wedding season. While temperatures were rising from the bitter cold we were experiencing the few days leading up to the wedding - we were provided with a strange mix of bitter cold, melting conditions, and sporadic rain. Formals after the the ceremony would be taken outdoors unless there was a downpour. Everyone complained and had a hard time taking off and on their coats in between shots - also letting go of cuddling and clenching fists when they needed to look relaxed.

1 ) I like to come ready with my camera set to capture the greeting I get at the door of the bride's home - sometimes it works - sometimes it doesn't - - - in this case it did:


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 18mm : f5 @ 1/60'th : 400ISO : bounce flash


2 ) Generally I only spend about 15 to 20 minutes catching some of the goings on around the house with people getting ready (then I head off to the ceremony to prepare for the arrival of the bride). All are instructed to forget that I am there and just go about their business:


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 65mm : f5 @ 1/60'th : 400ISO : bounce flash


3 ) A shot of the bride using bounce flash aimed behind me (no diffusers over the head with my on camera flash photography):


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 130mm : f5.6 @ 1/60'th : 400ISO : bounce flash

4 ) Candid shot from the front door looking in:


Olympus E-510 : 12-60 @ 12mm : f2.8 @ 1/100'th : 800ISO : no flash


5 ) In the very very dark Limo after the ceremony getting ready to head downtown for the formals around the Clarica building in Kitchener/Waterloo:


Olympus E-510 : 12-60 @ 12mm : f2.8 @ 1/50'th : 3200ISO : no flash


6 ) Long lens compression worked well to capture the group walking down the street to the location:


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 150mm : f5.6 @ 1/320'th : 400ISO : no flash

7 ) Puddle Hopping:


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 55mm : f5.6 @ 1/400'th : 400ISO : fill flash -2 stops


8 ) Formal Bridal Party:


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 26mm : f5.6 @ 1/160'th : 400ISO : fill flash -2 stops


9 ) I proceeded on the long path to the street outside the gates - so I could utilize them n the shot of the group:


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 26mm : f5.6 @ 1/200'th : 400ISO : no flash

10 ) On our way back to the limo, I asked if I could take a few quick shots of the couple cuddling against the gate:


Olympus E-510 : 12-60 @ 12mm : f2.8 @ 1/640'th : 400ISO : no flash


11 ) Because the everyone had enough of the cold after about 20 minutes standing unprotected - and it was now beginning to rain more heavily - - - the decision was made to leave and stop by a little bistro along the way to the reception hall, to grab a few moody indoor shots to round out the formals. Using a single spotlight in the ceiling for it's character, to light everyone:


Olympus E-510 : 12-60 @ 12mm : f2.8 @ 1/15'th : 1000ISO : no flash


12 ) The few family poses that they wanted to have were scheduled on our arrival at the reception hall - where family members were waiting in a hallway by the swimming pool. Here - a relaxing moment after we had taken the family groups:


Olympus E-510 : 12-60 @ 48mm : f3.9 @ 1/4'th : 800ISO : no flash

13 ) Bridal party had been waiting in the hotel's bar area while family shots were being taken. The couple and I stopped to pick them up on our way by, and so I took a shot of them all together:


Olympus E-510 : 12-60 @ 12mm : f2.8 @ 1/15'th : 800ISO : no flash


14 ) Moody first dance:


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 56mm : f5.6 @ 1/30'th : 400ISO : bounce flash


15 ) Father and daughter dance - I caught the embrace from the sidelines shooting through the onlookers:


Nikon D40 : 18-200 VR @ 150mm : f5.6 @ 1/8'th : 800ISO : bounce flash


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1,050 more - but I can't show you - - - LOL

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Hi there! i really like your photos! i love the idea of getting your camera ready when you knock at the bride's house. You captured a lot of good moments. great job!