Documenting the celebration

 

By Gina Farthing
Published: January 28, 2011

One question many engaged couples might address when planning their wedding is who will document the day for posterity’s sake.

With the advent of throwaway cameras, many people have opted to choose their guests to capture pictures of their all-important day. They leave cameras on the tables and the decision as to what will be photographed up to whoever picks up the cameras. The quality of those memories will depend on the experience of the person shooting, if any.

It’s one way to preserve the memories of that special day.

But other couples still prefer the traditional standard: to hire a professional. When deciding who should take photos, local photographers say it is important to establish a relationship with a prospective vendor by looking at experience and work samples, but mostly by communicating with them.

“This person will spend most of the day with you,” said Middlebrook photographer Carol Turrentine. “They will tell you if something isn’t right. They spend intimate time with a couple at an intimate time in their lives. It’s important to meet them, talk to them and get to know them, to know what they are looking for.”

Bessie Black, of Bridgewater, does the same thing.

“Each of my brides and I go over a list prior to the weeding to ensure we do not miss any of the key formats,” she said. “We talk about where these pictures will take place and go over the wedding day photography schedule. All of this is planned out in advance.”

Black said professionals can recognize problems before they happen.

“We can spot a hug or kiss coming from across the room, know just how to cut the cake or toss the bouquet,” she said.

Things to be considered include how many years of experience photographers have shooting weddings, what types of weddings they have done and if they have had training.

Turrentine, who hails from Tennessee, began her career in New York City in 1979.

“I was doing advertising and always wanted to be a photographer,” she said. “At that time, there weren’t many freelancers in New York. I did wedding and corporate photography.”

She lived in Manhattan for 12 years before she and her husband moved to Middlebrook eight years ago.

Black began her career a little differently.

“I began in photojournalism in high school and developed the interest for photography. The same year I had a cousin get married and the two became paired together.”

After a few more weddings, learning her way around with a camera, she attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and received her associate’s degree.

She also worked in a bridal shop and feels that experience was one of the most helpful to her and her clients.

“Trust in the vendor you have chosen, for a stress-free day. I am there to step in, if needed, to fix a boutonniere, lace a dress or just about anything else that might come along.”

Turrentine, too, has had opportunities to play psychologist.

“Photographers seem in control and they have a calm voice in a very stressful time,” she said. “Because I get to know them, they feel they can confide in you on sensitive issues.”

Another idea to consider with wedding photography is location. People have heard it said before, but with wedding photography, the chosen location can add to or detract from these lasting family photos.

Black and Turrentine said the local area has a lot of places where couples can go to have photos taken that will add interest.

Often, photographers know what spots are most popular.

Black likes the vineyards in the area and Turrentine is fond of the Frontier Culture Museum, the Woodrow Wilson house garden, Wintergreen, Fairfax Hall and the architectural details of Mary Baldwin College.

“I like to shoot stories,” she said. “I like to do fun things. I even include the family homes for bridal portraits. There are sure plenty of them here.”

Turrentine has even “witnessed” an elopement. Plus she’s had the opportunity to photograph a wedding underwater.

“I photographed for four days,” she said. “Before, during and after the wedding in the Bahamas for an event planner from New York City. I had to rent that equipment.”

One item that interests Turrentine is the shift from traditional wedding albums to digital. She said that couples today rarely want wedding albums anymore.

“They want streaming media, so that they can e-mail pictures to their friends,” she said.

She still offers traditional albums when couples are in the decision-making process, and some of them will still get them for parents or grandparents.

“The couples want the DVDs,” Turrentine said.

What keeps these photographers doing their jobs as the industry changes is the variety of weddings they do, plus the idea of capturing family history.

“Photography is what you have to remember all the many details and planning that went into making the day the beautiful day it was,” said Black. “So choose carefully, but most of all remember to have fun and take your time.”

Turrentine agreed.

“I’m documenting what’s important: the cast of characters,” she said. “People often call me to thank me because a member of the family, such as a father, has passed away.

“The best photos are the candids,” Turrentine said, “they’re the ones that show people as they are, relaxed and having a good time.”