My first photography professor at Smith College (back in the days when film was the only option) believed that photographers should default to black & white and that color film should only be used when there is a *reason* for color. He taught – and I believe – that black & white allows the story to emerge without all the clutter of color. It focuses the eye on shapes, reveals the emotional nature of shadow and highlight, and in many ways, can help everyday actions ascend to the status of Important. Weddings however, are colorful affairs. So a decade later I shoot digitally and default to color files for weddings, but my heart still belongs to black & white and the power it gives an artist. For this reason I often “tone” some color files in ways that are reminiscent of older (film based) techniques to bring me back around to that place where shape, shadow and highlight rule the frame. The toning softens the colors, brings out depth in ever-present wedding whites and for me ultimately acts as a kind of bridge between true black & white and bright, beautiful color images. Elizabeth & Nathan’s wedding has its share of brilliant color photos – the light on their day was just too perfect for there not to be a heavy dose of color – but my favorites that emerge largely belong to the toned category. There are so many favorites from the day that I am including their wedding as a featured gallery on my website. The images here on the blog are just the beginning – please visit their complete gallery slideshow by clicking here.
Some of my favorite details
Secret dance lessons pay-off big
Elizabeth & Nathan ~ Thank you for including me in your thoughtfully planned and sweetly perfect day. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to find a new angle at the Calatrava. Thank you for choosing great vendors and planners like Dynamic Events and The Peter Hennes Orchestra. From the importance of the date (Elizabeth and Nathan now share a wedding anniversary with Elizabeth’s grandparents), to the stylish details (a few faves: Nathan’s real bowtie, custom Sprecher labels and peonies everywhere), your wedding day was for me, very simply, the perfect way to spend a Saturday.
The Details:
Dress & Veil: Gigi’s of Mequon
Bridemaid’s dresses: Gigi’s of Mequon
Groom’s tuxedo: Fox’s
Groomsmen’s tuxedos: Harley’s
Coordinating: Dynamic Events (David Caruso)
Flowers: Esther Fleming
Linens: BBJ Linen
Band: The Peter Hennes Orchestra
Cupcakes: The Cake Lady
