Photographing a wedding at the Pierre Hotel in NYC is a unique experience. I had the pleasure to photograph an event as a second shooter. Being the second shooter gives tremendous flexibility and creative potential.
Category: Weddings & Venues
Real celebrations, remarkable venues, and the stories that unfold within them.
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Catholic ceremony at St Jean Baptist in NYC
A week ago I had the pleasure to record video footage of a Catholic ceremony at St Jean Baptist in NYC. Charlotte and Patrick asked me to create the story using three cameras. According to the church’s regulations, videographers are to take a stationary position outside the sanctuary (the altar area). I decided to place one camera on the right side of the altar, a second camera on the left side of the altar and a third camera on video pod having a more flexible position.
As videographer I mainly prefer to use prime lenses even though I recognize the convenience of a 2.8 zoom lens. My favorite focal lengths are the 50mm and the 100mm. In particular I enjoy using the Zeiss Otus 100mm 1.4 as the manual focus experience is without comparison.
The following youtube link shows the first part of the wedding ceremony: Charlotte and Patrick wedding ceremony introduction. In this first part I used the Canon 17mm TS-E lens to show the grandeur of the architecture and the Canon 35mm 1.4 capturing all footage at f/1.4 and having great confidence in the autofocus function of the Canon R6 II.
The video footage was recorded in 4K resolution and this allowed me to save a few of my favorite moments in jpeg files.
Recording the video footage of the Catholic ceremony at St Jean Baptist in NYC was a great experience.
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Environmental portraits
Fall colors offer a beautiful backdrop for environmental portraits. This is an image at the @interlaken_inn on the road leading to the lake. I prefer using a 200mm lens to compress the distance and create an interesting 3D effect.
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Environmental portrait of the bride and her father
An environmental portrait of the bride and her father is one of my priorities at the beginning of the ceremony. When I have a beautiful backdrop that may be used as a canvas, then the image can be made in a few seconds without delaying the start of the ceremony.
This is an image during the procession of the wedding of Jacki and Matt at the Interlaken Inn.
Before the bride starts walking down the aisle, I ask her to stop for a few seconds, breathe and immerse herself in the moment. This is one of my favorite environmental portraits. I used the Canon 17mm TS-E lens which allows me to choose the composition without the typical ultra wide lens distortion. The father decided to embrace his daughter and kiss her. This particular gesture made this image more meaningful and powerful. Venue: @interlaken_inn https://www.interlakeninn.com/weddings/
The importance of an environmental portrait of the bride and her father cannot be overemphasized. All my brides value such an image and decide to include it in their wedding albums. You may view my wedding portfolio at http://www.ymvisuals.com.
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A Jewish wedding at the Lion Rock Farm
Photographing a Jewish wedding at the Lion Rock Farm is always a great pleasure.
Adam and Katherine asked me to record their wedding ceremony, the first dance, the speeches, the father – daughter dance and the mother – son dance.
I used three Canon DSLR cameras and a Fuji medium format camera to record video footage from multiple angles. I love the way the medium format camera combined with the Zeiss Otus 100mm 1.4 isolates the subjects and creates a unique 3D effect.
Adam and Katherine – Short Wedding Film -
Greek Orthodox Baptism
During a Greek Orthodox Baptism I intend to capture the story of the baptism. It is always fascinating to be able to tell a story and include the family dynamics and their interactions.
This particular image is one of my favorites. The christening ceremony was a joyous occasion, filled with family and friends gathered at a beautiful church adorned with flowers and soft candlelight. The baptism took place at Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Shrine Church.
I was near the priest as I noticed the father making an affectionate gesture towards his wife. It was clear to me that I should be ready to capture this moment. I knew that he would lean in quietly and either hug or kiss his wife. The touch was a tender, unspoken gesture of love, an affirmation of their partnership and shared joy in the presence of their child.
I was holding three camera bodies and three prime lenses. I chose to remain unobtrusive and use the Canon 200mm f2L IS lens to make the image.
In that heartfelt scene during the Greek Orthodox Baptism, the simple act of a father’s kiss on the back of his wife spoke volumes about their bond and the love that enveloped their growing family. It was a moment that would forever remain etched in their memories as a testament to the profound joy and connection they felt in that sacred space.
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Photographing a wedding with a 200mm lens
I would like discuss why I love photographing a wedding with a 200mm lens. One of my favorite quotes is the following: “Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.”
For me being in a wedding either as a guest or as a photographer it is always full of feelings. Of course, the intensity of feelings depends mainly on the relationship I have with the couple. However, I have noticed that the choice of focal length also affects my emotions.
From the first time that I picked a camera to photograph a wedding I realized that my favorite focal length is the 200mm. My belief is that this telephoto view of the world amplifies my feelings. I feel closer to what the couple feels. In addition, I remain unobtrusive, and at the same time I am an “intruder” to their psychological state of being.
These images were made with a 200mm focal length. They represent so great my feelings on that wedding day. The wedding took place in Glyfada, Greece.
Photographing a wedding with a 200mm lens is always a great pleasure. To view my wedding portfolio, please click this link.
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Destination wedding in Sifnos, Greece
Photographing a destination wedding in Sifnos, Greece is always a memorable experience. There are many reasons why a couple would choose Greece as their wedding destination.
Greece has a stunning natural beauty with crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, picturesque villages, and ancient ruins. These scenic locations provide a romantic atmosphere that is perfect for weddings.
This is the first image I captured when I arrived in Sifnos. The sun was setting and I could not believe the golden hues of the sky.
Greece is steeped in history and culture, with ancient ruins, churches, and unique architecture scattered throughout the country. This provides a unique backdrop for a wedding, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the local history and culture. The church in Sifnos was a small building with a magnificent view of the Aegean sea. This image of the church was captured a day before the wedding. I love the sky’s texture and the way it frames the church in the image.
When I first entered the church, I could not believe that a wedding ceremony could take place inside.
However, I was mistaken as the experience of photographing the ceremony in such a small church was wonderful. I will discuss the ceremony in a separate blog post.
I always look forward to photographing a destination wedding in Sifnos, Greece. To view my wedding portfolio please click this link.
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Portrait of a bride
On a wedding day, the portrait of a bride is one of the most important images to be made. There are many ways to photograph a person.
A photographer could use a fast wide lens like a 24mm 1.4 lens to capture an environmental portrait. Such an approach is preferable when we need to capture the architecture behind the subject. In the case of the bride, her parents’s house or the church building is an important part of the wedding story.
A necessary ingredient for a successful environmental portrait is an interesting sky. The wider the lens the more important the sky becomes. If there is a sky with no clouds, then it is more difficult to make an interesting environmental portrait. The texture of the clouds and the highlights and shadows create flow in the image and attracts the viewer’s attention.
This is one of my favorite examples of an environmental portrait of a bride. I used a Canon 24mm 1.4 lens. By lying down on the ground, I emphasized the impact of the bride’s presence in the image relative to the house in the background. This was an important image for her family as she grew up in that house.
The weather was cooperating as there were a number of clouds in the sky. In addition, a light wind was playful with her gown adding another element in the image.
The wedding reception took place at the Interlaken Inn.