Trust is a great thing.
This was one of my all time favorite sessions I’ve had because of that reason. These guys trusted everything I threw their way. They know it was my job to make them look good. I think trust goes both ways too. I trusted that they would work with what ever I threw their way and they’d just work it. Plus I trusted that they’d look as fantastic in the camera as they do outside of it.
On our way to the first location I told them that the pressure is on me when I have great looking clients, because if something goes wrong and the pictures don’t look fantastic, I don’t have any excuses. I didn’t have any excuses. Danielle mentioned that she didn’t feel terribly comfortable in front of the camera. Never has there been a person who had less reason to be uncomfortable getting photos taken. Danielle has a perfect face for photos. No offense to Cory—he can hold his own (he’s family, what am I supposed to say?), but Danielle is stunning. Fortunately, trust came in to play and 5 minutes in, they forgot about the camera and did what they do best—look good.
One of the reasons for the wedding dress shots was that they made the cardinal mistake of hiring somebody they weren’t in love with as their wedding photographer. To all of you future brides reading this, take heed. The pictures suffered because of it and they ended up with wedding photos that they don’t really enjoy. The only solution was to get the photos after the fact—I’m glad they entrusted me with that. Because of it, I took some of my favorite photos I’ve ever shot.
This also technically counts as a “Trash the Dress” session. Notice they didn’t really ruin the dress, they just made the photos the priority rather than keeping the dress immaculate.
After covering my camera—and feet in ocean water and sand (you can tell my camera is wet in the left side of photo #5. See the softness around her dress—wet lens. Also you can see the fog/rain in the atmosphere behind Cory’s head) we headed back so they could change and take some head shots before heading out to the bridge. We only got to shoot a few minutes since the rain started coming down and my lights kind of frown on that.
I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I enjoyed making them. Cory & Danielle, You guys freaking rocked it. I’m glad I had the chance to work with you.
Thanks to Gina for her help carrying lights and holding them down so they didn’t blow away on this wet & windy day.
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Facebook comments:
These are awesome, love the botton 6
AWESOME WORK! Absolutely brilliant use of light
Ahh… after the experience with their wedding photographer, they must love these. And you’re right, they are a hot couple. Great photos
They must be delighted with these, and I’m sure these will go a long way to making up for their disappointing wedding images.
I think that the road being wet from the rain really adds to that shot! Sorry to hear about their wedding pictures, but now they’ve got some amazing shots. great!
Thanks all! They are thrilled with the photos. They ordered several prints as well as a canvas of the road photo.
@Ceece You’re absolutely right about the rain. They were disappointed that everything was wet & I told them that it only helps the photos, which I have to believe it did.
Great portraits! The last six are a cool collection.
Bold and striking work Matt. Fantastic subjects but you’ve done nothing but build on that with some fantastic image making.
You sure do have strobist skills! love em!
Wow, you do amazing work! I love every single one of these shots. Your color work and eye for composition are spot on. I’m blown away (and kinda jealous!) over here! As others have said, amazing lighting! Wow!
Really excellent use of light ~ definitely something to aspire to!
Just catching up on my bookmarks… my comment is a little late! Looks like a fun shoot. Killer lighting skills. Do they love it?
I love the black and white of this couple kissing. Very romantic. Nice work.