FROM MY POINT OF VIEW: WHERE LOVES MEETS THE LENS

Bt Ann Marie Massiah

This workshop allowed us the participants to step behind the lens and into the magical and hidden treasure of The Captain’s Annex where its beauty and natural surroundings were further transformed and revealed when the wedding models not only entered the room but gracefully posed on the lush greenery of the open lawn. The three facilitators Charles McClean, Antonio Cheltenham, and George Cox taught us the art and business of wedding photography. The session was very informative, it increased our confidence, and it provided us with hands-on skills and techniques. Some areas covered included, how to work under pressure; the importance of consultation sessions before the big event; the need for a site visit; equipment such as artificial lighting; and photographers to cover the entire proceedings.

Additionally, we learnt other key aspects such as natural and artificial lighting; composition; posing – both the bride and the groom; the importance of building rapport and encouraging natural interaction; how to capture candid emotions; story telling through guided instructions such as choosing the best background, following the light when outdoors, and directing the couple on how to pose in a way that creates a narrative of connectivity, movement, laughter, intimacy and togetherness, all in an effort to add emotional depth to the narrative; and how to tell the couple’s story with authenticity and elegance from the preparation stage to the farewell/send off.

Finally, what I loved most of all about the workshop was the fact that I was able to convey love through my lens from couples who were total strangers because of the collective experiences of the tutors. Each tutor brought a unique vision, story and technique, yet together they created a harmony of guidance that was truly invaluable.

Ann Marie Massiah

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All images by Ann Marie Massiah