Need Creativity

[Mayfly]

I am shooting a wedding this weekend that quite frankly is going to require me to use more creativity than usual. The problem is that both the church and the reception area are not what I would call attractive. The church is a modest church very modern but small. Usually I can bank on at least having some interesting surroundings for great shots, but it does not seem to be the case with this wedding. Just thought I would see what everyone else does in this situation to maybe spice things up a bit to make for some great shots.

[jessiper]

Can you go to another location? If not, I guess just do a bunch of close-up shots wide open.

[Mayfly]

I was thinking the same thing.........unfortunately I don't think I have a lot of options........it's a shame too because obviously location and the surroundings are a huge part of wedding photography. Not so much on this one

[spphoto]

Is the church important to the couple? If so then pictures showing it are still important. For portraits, you might look into doing some closeups, and being creative with backdrops (I've seen some great ones with the bride's train behind her) and poses. Around here it's quite common to go somewhere else for the formal/group shots, so maybe scope out some locations you like within a reasonable driving distance of the church and reception sites.

[newbie_photog]

I've seen some really interesting shots using the pews in the church. One common one that I have seen is the bride in the foreground and the groom back a few pews and slightly out of focus.

[*Mike*]

Most of the locations we have shot in lately have been less than pretty. When that happens we rely on depth and lighting to make more creative images.

This image was taken in an ugly brown hallway with a typical Spanish Drag finish on the walls. Nothing special. We used the lighting to add some drama and bumped the colors in post.

http://www.bellesphotography.com/images/H1.jpg

You can also use colors and textures - at the workshop last weekend, the students (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/424849136_1e5983f96a.jpg?v=1174204259)had to use a plain lobby with a herringbone pattern of *bleck* brown bricks on the floor - from what I've seen so far - those were some great shots.

If you can get there early, scope it out - look for angles and patterns that might be interesting locations. This entire last workshop was done in a plain old church - nothing fancy. So its more of what YOU see than whats really there.

[picturecrazy]

HUH??????

I'm sorry Mike, but after shooting around here where everything is new and made of concrete, to hear you say that hallway is 'nothing special' just about floors me. I would DIE to have a run down building with hints of Spanish architecture and detailing. Look at that light fixture, the handiwork above the bride's head, the textures on the walls, the reddish ceiling, crown mouldings, arched doorway... details shooters around here could only luck out the odd time in having.

Here, everthing is drab, grey, neutral, square, boring, except just a couple old Catholic and Orthodox churches.

[*Mike*]

Here, everthing is drab, grey, neutral, square, boring, except just a couple old Catholic and Orthodox churches.

That's my point - most people around here think this building is drab, just like you think the ones there are. Its all in the eye of the photographer - which is why it looks like that. So of course it doesn't look as I described in that image - it shows what you can do. If I have an image of that hallway without the lighting, I'll put it up to show you what it really looks like.

In other venues, there will be different things that peek interest. Its all in what you do with it. That's what I did with that brown hallway. You have to use what you got and make the best of it.

[picturecrazy]

Don't get me wrong, I work with what I got, and it sure can be challenging. But man, I would still die to have dumps like that to work in.

[*Mike*]

And vise versa...I haven't seen a building that isn't filled with stucco in years. What I wouldn't give for smooth walls and normal colors. Did you see the weird colors in that ballroom image I posted. A teal ballroom...

Next month I get to shoot a wedding in a 1800's tiny modest church - this thing. Its very quaint looking.
http://www.mdac.state.ms.us/n_images/agmuseum/agm_chapel_01.jpg
The bride wants the same grand look all our stuff has. Thats gonna be fun.

I can't find an image of the hallway and what other photogs do with it. We seem to have our own thing going on - down here anyway.

[d.e.]

That's my point - most people around here think this building is drab, just like you think the ones there are. Its all in the eye of the photographer - which is why it looks like that. So of course it doesn't look as I described in that image - it shows what you can do. If I have an image of that hallway without the lighting, I'll put it up to show you what it really looks like.

In other venues, there will be different things that peek interest. Its all in what you do with it. That's what I did with that brown hallway. You have to use what you got and make the best of it.

Interesting point, I've never thought about photographers that are actually tired of textured walls, arched doorways, etc.. It makes sense to me though. At the same time, I too would love to shoot in a church/building like you showed us. I see you are out in Abilene, I'm from Dallas and as you probably know it's flat, no trees, and a bunch of concrete, with "Mega Churches". There are still a few really nice places like the chapel at SMU, but Dallas is being taken over by the giants. Photographers and brides are tired of that here.

[*Mike*]

I guess this is a case of the grass is greener. :o) I was in one of the mega churches teaching a wedding workshop last weekend. The building was plain, but the class still got some great shots. Holly, my artistic shooter - the one who took that shot above - loves putting the pretty bride in an ugly setting for contrast. She's put 2 things together on occasion, and I had no clue what she saw until I saw the shot. She's good like that.

It sounds like we should all switch locations for a weekend. Imagine, people coming to Abilene for its stucco! LOL!

[d.e.]

I wanted to come to that workshop but didn't see it until it was too late. Maybe next time!

[jessiper]

HUH??????

I'm sorry Mike, but after shooting around here where everything is new and made of concrete, to hear you say that hallway is 'nothing special' just about floors me. I would DIE to have a run down building with hints of Spanish architecture and detailing. Look at that light fixture, the handiwork above the bride's head, the textures on the walls, the reddish ceiling, crown mouldings, arched doorway... details shooters around here could only luck out the odd time in having.

Here, everthing is drab, grey, neutral, square, boring, except just a couple old Catholic and Orthodox churches.


I say "ditto" to a lot of your posts, but you do tend to read my mind, so, ditto! ;)

[jessiper]

And vise versa...I haven't seen a building that isn't filled with stucco in years. What I wouldn't give for smooth walls and normal colors. Did you see the weird colors in that ballroom image I posted. A teal ballroom...

Next month I get to shoot a wedding in a 1800's tiny modest church - this thing. Its very quaint looking.
http://www.mdac.state.ms.us/n_images/agmuseum/agm_chapel_01.jpg
The bride wants the same grand look all our stuff has. Thats gonna be fun.

I can't find an image of the hallway and what other photogs do with it. We seem to have our own thing going on - down here anyway.


I'm, personally, getting tired of these "quaint" little white churches. They're kinda cute on the outside, but usually very cramped, dark &/or plain and ugly on the inside. I'm shooting in two different ones this weekend and next. I would rather shoot in a really grand place, or, more interesting to me, a rundown place for the juxtaposition. Good luck, and looking forward to seeing the pics from your next wedding. :)

[*Mike*]

OK - I can tell you need before and after images to prove the point.

d.e. - we have another workshop in San Antonio at the end of the month. The one after that is being pressed for Abilene. I had someone call and request it this morning. So, maybe you all can come and see that ugly building in person!