Haven't shared in a while - here's a wedding with only 2 primes.

[jamiewexler]

Every year I try to find someone who could not otherwise afford me and give them a wedding photography package for free. It feels good. But it also gives me a little goodwill from blog readers, sometimes gets talked about on the local boards, etc.

For my part, I limit it to off season dates, and use it as an opportunity to stay sharp when I wouldn't normally be shooting. I also try to challenge myself in some way, to see if I can do something different from the norm. See if it sparks anything extra.

This year I asked blog readers to submit a story, and one entry really touched Melanie and my hearts. You can read the story here: http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/contest.htm Their wedding was on February 28, and it was very rewarding to be a part of it.

My personal challenge was to shoot the wedding with only 2 fixed focal length lenses: a 35mm and an 85mm, and to limit my flash use as much as possible.

Normally, I shoot with a total of 6-7 lenses throughout the day, and flash the heck out of everything with on camera and off-camera strobes. So this was an interesting exercise. I did cheat, and use a fisheye in the church, but other than that I stuck to my plan. Since I LOVE my 17-40, the 35 felt really tight for most of the day, while the 85 felt really short compared to the 70-200 I typically use to snipe candids.

Anyway, I finished processing them today, and thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

I think they got their money's worth, and I definitely enjoyed the stripped down photographer challenge!

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/Slideshows/SusanMichael/index.html

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

[skh]

My heart is 'warmed' just reading your post! This is wonderful! And I'm not talking about the pictures yet - your service / gift... Well done!

The pictures themselves are as good as any I have seen. You have a done a grand job in capturing some magic moments with 'limited' equipment. You mentioned the glass but what body was used?

Very well done again!

Regards,

Sanjeev

[jcolman]

My hat is off to you good sir for not only providing this lovely lady and her family with a valuable gift, but also for creating some wonderful images with just two (mostly) lenses!!

[GPR1]

Thanks for being about more than money, and for sharing the story and photos.

[Robert16]

You are, indeed, the MAN. Good to see you back.

[joove]

Beautiful photos! You sir are a good man for doing this and doing it as well as you can! Managing to learn in the process makes you smart as well :-).

[CronoDL]

Good job! The photos are wonderful. You did great with 2 primes!

[harroz]

Excellent Jamie, Ive been pondering doing the same thing, I have a thing where i like to help people sometimes and there is always that old addage of giving 10% of your earnings so a free wedding shoot to someone in need seems perfect. as for the photos, theyre great! the one of the bride in from of the door hit by light is awesome as is some others. You've just made someone's life that little bit better, thats majik.

[viet]

Very beautiful & deserving couple. Thanks for sharing both their story & their pictures.

[henry_b]

very touching story.
i like the pictures very much

[rodddy]

Outstanding! Great images too.

[jamiewexler]

Thanks everyone :).

[kenshinvt]

great story and great pictures! like the shot of her next to her mom's portrait and the narrow DOF limo shot

[EEPalmer]

I think that the fact that you do this is amazing. The couple really deserved this, and you did such a great job with their photos. Superb job all around.

[thatpreludeguy]

Amazing work, that's the way a wedding should be captured IMHO. Nice job on helping them out too, I'm sure it meant a lot to them, even more so after seeing their pictures.

[KayakPhotos]

As a future social worker, I was really touched by the story of the bride. It would be a sad thing to not have your mother at your own wedding :cry:. I like what you did, and I think that the shots came out well.

[arch1tect]

Great Job Jamie!

[FLiPMaRC]

:cool: You're the man!!!

[stathunter]

Jamie - good story and good work. That was a perfect opportunity to do what you did and experiment with two primes.

[canonnoob]

Jamie-

I wanted to say congratulations for your adventures and evertying you did. To me I find it very heartwarming to see something like this done when in todays society it seems that it is all about "me".

Now the photos. The photos are stunning. I literally found myself in awe mulitiple times when looking through the photos.

Great job. And I am excited to see what else comes your way.

-Dave

[picturecrazy]

these are pretty rad jamie!
and good on you to give back to the community.

[kompakt]

you did a amazing job with just those two lens! wow
i love the post processing on all the shots.

but since you ask for opinion,

the only thing else i will say is that a a "good dead" are best done not to receive any credit or thanks, but just for your own personal satisfaction and the one you are helping..

[jamiewexler]

Thanks again everyone!

Ha, ha Kompact. I would agree with you on a personal level, but as a business owner, you want as many people to know about your business' good deeds as possible!

[DMC_10]

You are a good man who will be rewarded many times over for your actions.. After reading her story, photo 10 does it for me