When photographing weddings, it’s very important to compose, look for moments, and see the light. It all came together this afternoon in a very simple image. The Omni Homestead hosted Sharon and Onkar’s wedding. There were two ceremonies, a traditional Indian wedding in the morning, and a western ceremony in the afternoon. During the traditional Indian ceremony, I noticed this little one drifting off to sleep with the window light was perfectly cast on his face. The gesture of the hands is an important component. You can see the tremendous detail on the hands along with the feel of a caring mother’s touch.
Tina had no idea that “Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta” host Monte Durham would surprise her when she put on her wedding dress this summer day. She was told her husband-to-be, Adam, was sending her a gift. She immediately became concerned and said, “We agreed not to get each other a gift. I didn’t get him anything.” I reassured her that it was something small and not to worry. We had her cover her eyes while we brought Mr. Durham into the room. The is her reaction. She is such a big fan of the show and was absolutely thrilled to have that experience.
My passion is to make photographs at every wedding that make the day unique. Simply put, I’m looking for “the moment.” That one split second, captured with the camera, that won’t ever be repeated. It might be the way the light is falling on a tear, a laugh, a touch of emotion, or that feeling within someone that resonates when looking at the photograph of the moment. I want to be surprised and give my clients that piece of the day that isn’t planned or something they didn’t notice. All photographers capture images of the wedding couple in an embrace, kissing, processing, recessing, dancing, cutting the cake, and the details. It’s all part of a wedding weekend and so important to capture. To compliment those images, I have to go after something more avant-garde, special and heartfelt. It’s what I crave every time I pick up the camera, whether it is an image of my daughter in the comfort of my own home or a wedding photograph at any one of the many exceptional locations world-wide. Here is just one of those moments and the story behind it. There are more to come.
I absolutely love this photo-journalistic portrait that was taken just before Dawn processed down the aisle for her wedding at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. I was changing positions and noticed that she and her father were in beautiful lighting next to the door, both in tears. They are wrapped up in the moment. To me, this is simply beautiful. I love that she is seemingly unaware of the camera and he is unaffected by my presence. Greenbrier weddings are simply stunning, as there is such a beautiful backdrop everywhere you turn.
I love layering images. In this case, I got in between all of the groomsmen with a telephoto lens and tried to capture the intense expression of the bride gazing into the grooms eyes during the wedding ceremony. Her look is so powerful and it’s enhanced even more by framing her within the men in the foreground.
Rob Garland is the owner of Rob Garland Photographers, an award winning Charlottesville wedding photographer that specializes in wedding photojournalism and fine art printing. Rob prides himself on a classic, intuitive, heartfelt documentation with the utmost in visual integrity. He has documented many destination weddings throughout the U.S. and abroad as well as Charlottesville weddings at many of our outstanding local venues. Rob loves imagery that fails to go in and out of style and personal touches that make each wedding unique.
As many of you know, I am attracted to reality in my photography. It goes deeper than that – I want to capture your soul and print it on paper (I wish people would print more on true fine art papers…..it is starting to become a lost art for a generation tied to their phones). I don’t blog too many of the “standard” wedding images showing the details (giving us a taste into how much you did or didn’t spend), the typical posed group photos, the bridal party being silly, etc. Weddings are fun….a joy…..I wouldn’t trade my job for the world, but I just can’t repetitively show the same thing time and time again. I have to have capture feelings. It’s why I frequently blog images in black and white, to not distract. I love to simplify.
This particular photo is an image where I was watching Courtney and Kip for reactions during their toasts. Kip lost his mother not too long ago and when Courtney’s father started speaking about how proud she would be of her son, Kip couldn’t help but show some emotion. Courtney leaned in to her new husband and softly gave him a kiss.
To me, this is what we celebrate. Love. There is no better example than the image below. Kip is expressing love for his mom, Courtney is expressing love for her husband. In the background, you can see the look of concern….the love of a friend. All three examples wrapped into one image.
Rob Garland is the owner of Rob Garland Photographers, an award winning Charlottesville wedding photographer that specializes in wedding photojournalism and fine art printing. Rob prides himself on a classic, intuitive, heartfelt documentation with the utmost in visual integrity. He has documented many destination weddings throughout the U.S. and abroad as well as Charlottesville weddings at many of our outstanding local venues. Rob loves imagery that fails to go in and out of style and personal touches that make each wedding unique.
