I don't do weddings. Here's my first one.

I like the two of the Bride the best; I'd have to sum up by saying, "Beautifully atmospheric!"

After working 2 seasons free lance in the wedding realm, I know how frustrating it is to have to sacrafice art for commercialism. What I mean is, to have to produce images for the bride and groom that are boring, flat, and perfectly exposed. These are elegant images to me, but what did the bride think? Did you feel pressured to take the standard shots or did you really shoot it your way?

Grace, I really shot it my way. Honestly. The bride is a portrait client of mine and is well aware of my usual style and preferences.

You've got guts to go along with the talent. Doing a wedding in available light?! WOW! Your not going to tell us that you did the whole thing in b&w!? Are you? Did you?

Cheryl,

Maybe you should add wedding photography to your list as your pictures are stunning. I've been booked for 2 weddings which I would not normally do, but the couple's want black and white reportage style of the entire day. This style does seem to be gaining interest rather than as just part of the usual "shopping list" shots that people are use to.

I'm not in any way knocking wedding photographers as their work has been under-appreciated for a long while and they are the ones who had to courage to introduce more candid shots and re-introduce B&W to their work even though most use colour digital these days.

More Avedon than Cartier-Bresson, I think (intended as a complement). Did you shoot at 3200, and what developer? TIA

Never mind -- I should have read more carefully (Delta 3200 in TMax).

Joey, I did about 95% of the wedding using available light, since I seem to have been born with an inherent aversion to flash. LOL. In this venue, I did take a few rolls using flash just to have them in case the bride and groom preferred that look. (Yuck.) The rest of the ceremony and reception was done with ambient light, which was a challenge. I feel it has paid off, though, as I really like the few prints I've seen so far, and they do look exactly as I had intended.

Bill, thanks for the compliment! Yup, shot at 3200, as the light was extremely low.

TP, thanks. As for shooting more weddings..... I'll have to post a self-portrait I made during the reception. I had been completely drenched in rain hiking from my car a full block in a downpour with my gear to get to the reception. I looked miserable because of the run and due to feeling like such a fish out of water working a wedding. Hair was all wrecked, eye make-up smudged, and I looked twice my age. I shot a SP in the bathroom mirror, lest I ever consider agreeing to another wedding again. After the reception was over, I went to a restaurant, had cheesecake and wine for dinner, and wrote in my photography journal. Wasn't a pretty sight! Anyway, I never say never, but it's doubtful I'll take on a wedding again any time soon.

Cheryl, I'm sure we are all now looking forward to your self-portrait Surely cheesecake and wine for dinner sounds like the challenge was worth it though LOL

I love it! What more can I say?