Have you been enjoying all these months of our fabulous photographer’s tips on getting the shot? If so, you’ve love this one! This last “How I Got the Shot” of 2020 features the spectacular Michael Mann who currently resides in Sarlat-la-Canéda, a medieval town in southwest France. His photography is stand-out stunning. His imagery is thoughtful, well-lit, and literally pulls you in to the place where he is and the story he is telling. Want more tips for wedding photography? Check out a few of our favorite How I Got the Shot posts here AND here.
And we love video – so be sure to check out the video below!
Getting the Shot: Dark and Moody Car Scene
1. What gear were you using (camera, lens, lights)?
I used a 16-35mm Canon 5D MKII, Canon 580ex Speedlite, Phottix Trigger and Receiver
2. What was going through your head when you were getting this shot?
There was a storm rolling in so only had 30 sec to get the shot before the weather turned too bad to be able to get any more photos outside. I wanted to show how even with terrible weather you can still have an epic outdoor photo, and because the sky and the atmosphere was dark and moody I wanted a photo that would show that.
3. What lighting did you use and/or what lighting set up?
I used 1 off camera Speedlite behind the couple pointed at their heads and the white roof to give the halo effect but also wrap around to light their faces.
4. Was this a difficult pose? Do you have any posing tips?
The pose was pretty simple, because you can only see their heads and shoulders. I placed the groom where he is so I could see his face and then asked him to kiss the bride on her cheek so she would then turn her face towards me.
5. Is there any backstory on the image / couple / location?
The couple had rented a really beautiful car for their ceremony and the reception was at a stunning chateau so I wanted to incorporate them both to have an epic photo and something different from other couple photos. The car is a vintage French car ( sorry I cant remember the make) and the venue is in the south west of France. The couple are both from the UK so this was a destination wedding.
6. What do you love about this image?
I love the mood of the image, it shows that weddings can be dramatic, moody and beautiful all at the same time.
7. Did you use significant photoshop on this image? if so what is one tip for getting the desired effect?
I used Nik software inside photoshop to add some of the effects, along with dodging and burning and removed a couple of things.
Getting the Shot: Colored Lights and Silhouettes
1. What gear were you using (camera, lens, lights)? Canon 5D MKIV 24-70, 70-200, 580ex Speedlite, Phottix triggers and receiver, Magmod Grid and Sphere. In camera Multiple exposure.
2. What was going through your head when you were getting this shot?
I wanted something a bit different from the day, the couple had lots of fairy lights around the reception and the wedding day was quite colourful, with the flowers and bridesmaids dresses.
3. What lighting did you use and/or what lighting set up?
I used 1 flash behind the couple pointed at the wall with a pink gel to create a silhouette. I then Walked around the reception and photographed the different fairy lights hanging up with different focal lengths and white balances.
4. Was this a difficult pose? Do you have any posing tips?
Because it is a silhouette photo it is important to have a clear outline of each person in the photo so I didn’t want them to kiss but still show a connection to one another by pressing their waists together.
5. Is there any backstory on the image / couple / location?
The couple had 5 mins in between speeches and I really wanted to have a night time photo before the party started. The couples personalities are both very bright, bubbly and romantic. So I wanted to show all three in one photo but still with a bit of mystery. A placed them on a plain white brick wall right outside where the reception was taking place.
6. What do you love about this image?
I love all the different colors of the lights along with the different sizes.
7. Did you use significant photoshop on this image? if so what is one tip for getting the desired effect?
Apart from a little dodging and burning this was done all in camera with the MKIVs multiple exposure option.
Michael’s Unique Approach
1. What gear were you using (camera, lens, lights)? Canon 5DmkII 16-35mm
2. What was going through your head when you were getting this shot? While the bride was fixing her makeup after the ceremony I saw the groom waiting patiently on the bench with really nice light coming through an open door in front of him, the spiral staircase gave a really nice flow so I wanted to create a composition but having the stairs empty felt a bit weird. I decided to wait for the bride to finish and without letting the groom notice what we were doing just told her to walk slowly down the stairs.
3. What lighting did you use and/or what lighting set up?
This was shot using all natural light.
4. Was this a difficult pose? Do you have any posing tips?
I didn’t pose the groom but I need the bride to walk slowly down the stairs to but fast enough to create a bit of movement in her dress. I put my camera in burst mode and shoot about 6 frames.
5. Is there any backstory on the image / couple / location?
The couple is French/American but living in the south of France and the bride really wanted a the classic French chic wedding. This was shot on the spiral staircase inside the chateau just before starting our family portraits.
6. What do you love about this image?
I love the flow, the composition and the fact that the groom is unaware of what I was trying to get.
7. Did you use significant photoshop on this image? if so what is one tip for getting the desired effect?
No photoshop, just a black and white conversion inside Lightroom.
At ShootDotEdit, we love inspiring photographers by sharing lighting and posing tips. But what we love EVEN MORE is editing wedding photographs. In fact, that’s where we excel! If you want to know what we do and what we’re made of, check out our origin story here!