I am blessed to work with my son, who photographs my wedding couples. I chose to write about the photography because photographing weddings at the lake presents its own challenges. This photograph was taken at Cave Rock Beach on a day when smoke from wildfires filled the Tahoe basin. I wasn’t sure he would get any good photographs at all in the thick, smoky haze. Taking photographs against the shining water is always tricky; my son uses a polarizer on his lens, but the water’s glare can still blur objects and people in the foreground. My gorgeous bride was not keen on staring into the smoky sun, and was constantly ducking her face into the shade. Shade makes shadows that lengthen our noses and make us look strange, so the gifted photographer must coax couples to plant their burning, tearing eyes straight into the sunlight’s path. This takes Olympian-level tact and skill!
This bride was also gentle, timid, and reserved; she was not the splashy grinning poser that gives a photographer a lot to work with. Most people are not practiced in the art of modeling; photo shoots are not a part of their daily lives. When you are taking more than a hundred shots of a couple, it truly is a “photo shoot.” Without making them cranky on the happiest day of their lives, the photographer must allow the couple to get comfortable with shifting their bodies and their faces so most of the shots show their glowing joy and love for each other. It has to be fun! I love this shot, because the couple was joyful and relaxed. The peach-colored light shows the glow in their happy faces. Reed also captured the light on the water perfectly; it is a deep blue background without any glare. The focus is sharp on the beautiful lovers.
Happiness to all!
Pamela Camille, Rev.
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