Pressure + Time

Late last year I was asked by a friend whether I would shoot his wedding this spring.  I agreed to do it - I'd never shot a wedding before and had never entertained the idea.  I was to learn that weddings are very hard work indeed, particularly a first wedding, but that there are also some opportunities to capture people in a particular context that is worth attempting simply for the learning experience.

An advantage of our existing relationship meant that I could chat at length with the couple about what they wanted to get out of the day - that was the intention, but in truth Lee and Jane were happy to allow the photographer to 'do his thing' and to discuss anything in particular as the day developed.  One night before the wedding Karen and I had dinner at Lee and Jane's.  We were to discuss some of the particulars of the day but ended up arriving home at 6am - the wedding was probably mentioned once.

The wedding was in Rathmullan, Co Donnegal, Ireland.  A beautiful part of the country which took me 2.5 hours to reach by car from Belfast.

My gear, all packed in a Lowepro Flipside 300 comprised:

Canon 5dmkII
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM mkII
Canon 24-105mm f4.0 L IS USM
Canon 1.8 f1.8 mkII
Canon 480ex II (2x)

...in fact the Flipside struggled to accommodate both of the L lenses so the 24-105mm was relegated to my suitcase alongside a Manfrotto 190DX tripod and suit.  Whilst I'm on the subject of the suit - I had read that wedding photographers generally opt for softer, more comfortable shoes with grip like trainers.  Really?  At a wedding?

The wedding day started at 8am with the groomsmen and others diving off Rathmullan pier into the Irish Sea.  Crisp morning light and white towels made for great photographs.  The 70-200mm was indespensible - so fast and sharp.

A quick drive to the bride's house followed where I maxed out several CF cards.  The garden provided the best photo opportunities.  Wedding dress against compost/wood/stone.

Then followed a drive to the church with a change of carriage for the bride en route.  Suitably dehydrated by this point I waited in the church for the procession.  I asked the bride how she would like the ceremony to be captured.  The church was quite small with no space up front for a photographer.  The aisle formed the only route to and from the altar so I couldn't approach from the sides.  Her only comment was 'be discreet'.  So, after capturing Jane being escorted down the aisle I moved to the rear and waited for the couple to exit.  I spent my time capturing key moments of the ceremony and guest's engagement with it.

Close to Rathmullan village is an area of landscape called Knockalla.  Following the ceremony the guests made their way to the hotel whilst I accompanied the bride and groom to the burnt hillsides for a series of photos that complimented, in particular, the bride and groom's hair colours.

Back at Rathmullan House obligatory family shots were distrupted by rain so we headed into the building for indoor group photos, speeches and reception.

The following morning I spent time around Rathmullan before heading to the north coast of Northern Ireland hitting up The Giant's Causeway en route.