Wedding Details: Can a fragment of the whole really tell the story?

When I photograph I like to work in what I call the “Out to In” approach. I taken in an environment and I photograph the whole picture: everyone interacting, the place they’re in, and the emotion happening. And then…I move in. I’ll document a piece of the whole, a group of people or  a moment that’s happening. And THEN, I look even closer. I find an instance, a moment…something that is happening inside of what’s inside the overall. The detail; and something that tells the story without being the entire story.

I suppose I love that it’s a fragment of what’s occuring and yet you can see, almost envision the whole, just with that small fragment. These instances become some of my favorite images from a wedding. They’re the images that have to be caught just as they happen, otherwise, they’ll be missed.

When I was thinking of what to blog about today, I decided I would talk about attention to detail as this is something that I love. I love a c0uple who has an eye for detail and in return, I try to possess that very same eye for detail as I am documenting all the moments that occur and all the minor details that they’ve placed into their wedding.

In both of these instances, I was documenting the preparation. There are so many things that happen at that time: the interaction of best friends and family, anticipation and nervousness…most of all excitement. By zooming into these occurences, I am capturing the piece of the whole.

This image was taken as Emily’s dad walked her down the aisle. Emily’s dad is so special to her; in fact, he is one of only two fathers that attended the bridal session for their daughter. Emily’s mom says this is one of her absolute favorite images from Emily + Trey’s wedding day.

…And a son’s love for his mother is so special. I love the way that Nathan was holding his mothers hand SO tightly and with such pride as he escorted her down the aisle.

The exchanging of vows. This is one of the most beautiful and intimate moments on a wedding day. Emily loves Trey so softly and so sweetly. And without even seeing her face in this image, you can see how she ever so gently rests her hand on his….telling it all.

This is a perfect instance of what I meant when I said you have to catch these instances because they come and go so quickly. Angelena just place Greg’s ring on his finger and they kneeled at the alter together. Her eyes were lifted toward the crucifix and his eyes went to his hand as he stretched his fingers and took it all in.

The way that someone holds another is SO telling.
Photographing the details for me is not only documenting the bouqet, a special locket, or the shoes you searched for forever….it’s also looking for small instances: the pieces within the whole.

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