Archive for the 'Brian Wedge Photography' Category

Barack Obama’s Victory: One photojournalist’s view

    Today was a day for images.  A day of images.  Think about it…

    The Kenyan women celebrating, the jubilant mob in Times Square, Jessie Jackson crying, the incredible lines of voters, the American Flags… these enduring images carried the day.  No matter how you heard the news, no matter where you were; what followed was a steady stream of incredible images that said more than words could.

    As someone who knows the work, skill and effort involved in capturing enduring, meaningful images, I thought I’d take a moment today to recognize my fellow photojournalists out “in the field” bringing these incredible moments directly into our lives and our living rooms.

Newspapers turned their front pages sideways, to allow for more room for images.

    The work truly is grueling.  It’s physical, it’s tedious, it can be frustrating and it’s always challenging.  Too often their work goes unrecognized.  Their names hidden by the shroud of media sources like the AP, Reuters, or Getty Images.

Around The World…

    Today I wanted to bring one of those anonymous photojournalists into your lives.  Her name is Scout Tufankjian, and she’s a friend of a friend, as well as a fellow member of the National Press Photographers Association with me.  Scout embodies the true work involved in photojournalism.  Scout has been with Barack Obama for TWENTY THREE months.  Not a photo op here, or a press briefing there… but 23 months.

    Her work, much like some of my documentary work, isn’t the type of thing that you get to come home at night from.  It requires true endurance, tenaciousness and dedication.  Behind each of those images you saw over the past few days, there was some talented person working hard to capture it for us.

Click Scout Tufankjian’s image above to go directly to her site documenting Obama’s campaign.

    If you get a chance, go check out Scout’s site (the secret service gallery is my favorite).  She’s amazing… and is one of the many photojournalist’s whose names and faces are often hidden from view, but whose talents make historic nights everlasting.

    To those in the field…. Thank you!

Nicole & Garrett: Oheka Castle, NY

    Nicole and Garrett’s amazing wedding at The Oheka Castle, just outside New York City this past week was a study in beautiful contrasts.  Exquisite details, thoughtful preparation and incredibly high quality were contrasted with a bride and groom who were laid back, and simply delighting in the excitement of their celebration.  Their wedding was a true union of souls, of families and of friends.

The details were everywhere.  Her ring is inscribed with “forever”… his reads “and ever”

The anticipation builds…

    A creative and unique perspective on Nicole being walked down the aisle by her dad.  Christine and I planned this shot (and a series of others) so that we could silently, seamlessly capture photos while staying out of each other’s way.  Easier said than done… but it worked!

 

Nicole & her dad, silhouetted with the castle in the background sets the scene.

Another scene setter showing the elaborate gardens, the exquisite day.  Notice how at the exact moment that I’m photographing the image above, Christine is shooting this one… yet I’m not in her photo.

 

    I’ve always loved watching the groom’s reactions, and though we always get the shots of the bride walking down the aisle, we also try for the groom.  Because I’m so tall, I have an opportunity to shoot over the shoulder/heads of Nicole and her dad and capture this important moment of the day.  

The chuppah was gorgeous, the rose petals on the aisle, the pumpkins… the flowers… it was beautiful.

 

A great series of natural moments.  So genuine, so real.

 

Rose petals tossed as they walk down the aisle.

 

Garrett turned and looked at his wife for the first time after the ceremony concluded just as they finished walking down the aisle.  His glance to her is timeless, sincere and loving.

 

Their walk through the Oheka Castle’s gardens.

 

First dance…

    Another really touching moment: Nicole’s dad turns to address the couple directly during his toast.  There wasn’t a dry eye left in the house.

The chair dance… Garrett was all over it.  Nicole (intelligently) held on for dear life.

 

    One of my favorite images of the day:  here Garrett is tearing it up solo on the dance floor.  But find Nicole (in the white dress) shielding her eyes.  Classic!

 

    It was a joy to support Nicole and Garrett.  Amidst the exquisite details, the grandeur of Oheka Castle, and the hundreds of people present… they managed to create a wedding that was intimate, fun, and most of all genuine.

    There are hundreds (if not thousands) of talented photographers in the New York City area, and when I asked Garrett and Nicole why they chose to bring Christine and I in from Maine after conducting an exhaustive search… Garrett said “because your photos just seem so genuine, so natural, that people are having fun and the images magically become beautiful.”  What a wonderful compliment… but that “magic” resides in the fantastic people we are lucky enough to support on one of the biggest days of their lives.

    It was a true honor to share in your celebration!!  Thank you!

Want to see the complete wedding photos?  They’re all right HERE.

Vendors information coming soon:

Wedding location: Oheka Castle

Selected Again! theknot.com Featured Wedding

    Our photos of Britta & Russell’s beautiful wedding were selected as a featured Real Wedding by theknot.com today.  It’s always wonderful to be featured by The Knot, and these selections are becoming a frequent and fun (optional) experience enjoyed by our clients, that we feel lucky to be able to offer them.  

    The recognition we receive for our work motivates us to exceed expectations even more.  We’re obsessed with quality, creativity and the support of our clients!

    Britta & Russell’s images reflect who they truly are: real, natural, beautiful and most of all in love with eachother, their families and of course one special spot in the great State of Maine.  Congratulations Britta and Russell!  Your wedding, your marriage, your family and friends are a source of inspiration for all of us!

    You can see theknot.com’s feature by clicking here or on the images below:

    Want to see the complete wedding?  They’re all right here

Rose and Cam: Island Wedding (Vinalhaven, Maine)

  Penobscot Bay is my old stomping grounds, and is an incredibly special place.  Back when I was a full time Captain with Outward Bound, I did laps around Vinalhaven island on every conceivable kind of boat possible, in all varieties of weather, and with a wide range of friends and students aboard.  Penobscot Bay is where we completed numerous adventures and started even more.

The happiness…

  It’s not surprising then that I was completely thrilled to be back in The Fox Island Thoroughfare heading to Vinalhaven to shoot a wedding weekend.  The weather was perfect, the families were amazing, and more welcoming than we could have ever expected.

Getting ready for a bear hug… the best greeting ever!

  Rose and Cam are incredible people and hosts.  Never before have I had a client RUN across a field (and I mean run) to bear hug me at our first meeting.  I soon discovered that Rose’s amazing energy and constant smile were gifts that she shared with everyone in her life.  Cam was equally sweet and happily took folks across the bay repeatedly throughout the weekend (thanks Cam for not running full speed to bear hug me… it’s ok, really).

Squeezing in for the 30+ buttons.

Holding back tears…

Rose came down the isle (foreground) and Cam teared up.  Very sweet.

  It was wonderful to spend time with two people who so openly adore one another, their families and their friends.  Their home on Vinalhaven is a truly spectacular location, but this weekend, it’s beauty was certainly elevated by the love and respect displayed during this wedding celebration.  It truly was an honor to spend so much time with all of you!

Ceremony complete… they took some time on the dock to themselves.  Nice Flemish Coils whoever did that.  We appreciated it!

And some time on the porch…

Their hilarious and wonderful first dance.

Cam defies gravity…

Rose crowd surfing.

Unstoppable.

The merriment of the reception.

Notice that none of these feet are on the ground.  These guys danced so hard the floor shook.  We had to cut the cake early because of concerns that it would fall over (not joking).

The incredible fireworks display.  No injuries reported.

The whirling, spinning mass of family and friends beneath the tent.

  Thank you so much for having us!  We loved meeting all of you and spending the weekend at your wonderful house.  There’s a mooring and a cold beer waiting for all of you the next time you sail through Harpswell!

Want to see more?  The complete photos are available here.

Vendors:

Catering:  Belle Fete (great job Lori).

Band:  Jenny Woodman Band