steve_gibbs1 Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Has anyone ever encountered a B&G who showed absolutley no affection for one another? I recently shot a wedding at an LDS Temple (beautiful landscaping, building and day) in Utah. Throughout the shoot, I was constantly telling the B&G to get closer, to hold hands, to at least acknowledge each other. They only stood next to each other because I 'demanded' it. They refused to do any of the fun poses, and they said they were done after less than an hour. The "reception" (if you really want to call it that), was the same. Each time I asked them to to do anything, they rolled their eyes and acted as if I was just a nuisance. As far as I know, I didn't do or say anything offensive or even slightly unprofessional. Why would someone pay me $1000 to NOT want pictures taken?? What is gonna happen when I give them a proof site full of pictures of crotchity, irritable people? After almost 100 weddings, this is a first for me...........anyone?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_rubinstein___mancheste Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I shoot Orthodox Jewish weddings where the young couple will not have had any physical contact before the wedding. Although shyly in love with each other they will often not touch in public, especially for the photos. I deal with this almost every wedding. Some are more open, especially those who had cheated on the touching thing during the engagement ;-) You get used to posing them so that they look close...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_gibbs1 Posted August 4, 2005 Author Share Posted August 4, 2005 I should add: I have photographed 25 or 30 LDS jobs before. I know not to ask them to kiss unless they seem like they want to, but standing next to each other?? These kids acted like they did'nt even like each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photolace Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 In a word: yes. I thought it was strange behavior as well, but the bride had told me they weren't interested in formals, and she definately meant it! Thankfully, she seemed happy with the final works, no complaints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Just bring a pitchfork and pose 'em like the couple in "American Gothic." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_de_jager Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Can't you fix that with the latest plug-in for Photoshop? <grin> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colleendonovan Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Oh my gosh. LDS marriages are not arranged, nor have they ever been. I don't know why they would've acted this way except that maybe they were a little embarrassed or something. Who knows? Please leave all the 'myths' about Mormons out of this one. For all we know they could've been in a huge fight before the ceremony. Stranger things have happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_ Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 ...you can just do the best you can. It's not quite like launching a 20+ year-old space shuttle__you take what poses you can. No point in making the bride-and-groom more glum on their wedding day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grinder Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Colleen, I appoligies if I offended as you say myths abound If I am incorrect I am sorry no offence was intended. Alot of cultures and peoples from around the world have had arranged marriges or still do. It seems this is NOT the case with the LDS church. Weather right or wrong I was not passing judgment on it. And your right it is very possible they had a fight before hand family pressures can easily do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colleendonovan Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Steve, I just looked at your website and you take wonderful pictures!!! Love the one of the bride and groom outside in the snow. I had a couple a few weeks ago that were kind of stand offish to each other. I had to convince them to act like they liked eachother and I later found out that their moms had a huge fight the night before and it had soon turned into a family brawl. So, who knows. Give them what you took and be done with it. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they were upset about their wedding pictures because the photographer forced them to kiss!!! It'll be okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 and they said they were done after less than an hour...... How long were you shooting them? They may not have been very affectionate but after 5-10 minutes of not warming up to you or the camera suggests that there was some problems with communication and expectations between you & them......go with the flow. Them not wanting to do the "fun" shots was likely an indication of what they didn't want. Perhaps moments before you began the shoot the couple had words and had just returned to the party for appearances. I always try to recruit the Best Man & Maid of Honor as an unofficial laizon, sometimes they'll be able to tell you the behind the scenes stuff. What was the couple like "Off Camera"....long lens stalking. Actually "Long lens stalking" is my Native American name......just teasing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maury_cohen Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 As an affectionate person myself I do find it strange but true that not all people like to show affection. I have run into the rare couple now and then that want to be together but are not "smootchers". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_rubinstein___mancheste Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Can't say I like kissing in public... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ_butner Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I second, Lex's excellent advice... Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I have run across some couples that only want the basic storytelling shots and not what they consider corny, overly dramatic, or romantic shots. They want the posed (not stiff), smiling at the camera shot, family shots and the ones that document the events, but not much else. Can't say as I blame them. I wouldn't want a lot of "stuff" either, and I'm a wedding photographer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd_k. Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 They may have been a little serious and not all over each other at the wedding, but at least they wont be divorced in 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clauder Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 stupid question here, but could anybody enlighten me about what is 'LDS'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 LDS: "Latter Day Saints." Full name: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Often called "Mormons," at least by non-Mormons. It's just another belief system, no less complex than any in the world. I've known several Mormons and haven't heard anyone mention arranged marriages. Not that the subject has come up. However it's typical for powerful or wealthy families of any culture or belief system to at least place some pressure upon their children regarding their choices of prospective marriage partners. There might be a few Mormon families who have engaged in this familiar pursuit but not all Mormons are wealthy and powerful. In fact, I haven't personally met any who are. They all just seem like ordinary folks to me. Also, the Mormons I've known were pretty friendly, chummy and smiley folks. I can't imagine that glum weddings are a tradition with them. I photographed my niece's wedding rehearsal last night. She and her to-be weren't terribly smiley. They're nervous and exhausted. I got some pretty funny photos of them looking like trapped rats, tho'. But I won't show 'em 'til after the wedding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clauder Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 thanks lex... ah, I'm from Luxembourg, so no mormons (or letter day saints) here (but we do have enough other belief systems here as well) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clauder Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 make that 'l<b>a</b>tter day, not letter day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptucci Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Little known fact: the painting American Gothic is supposed to be a farmer and his unmarried daughter, but he folks who posed were brother and sister. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_gibbs1 Posted August 6, 2005 Author Share Posted August 6, 2005 Nadine: "I have run across some couples that only want the basic storytelling shots and not what they consider corny, overly dramatic, or romantic shots"....."Can't say as I blame them." -This couple didn't want to stand next to each other in any shot..........not smooching, not corny stuff, not some offensive public display.....just stand next to each other. And, by the way, I probably should'nt have mentioned that it was LDS. I didn't mean to suggest anything by it. I work with hundreds of 'Mormons' in Idaho and they have always been nice, polite and reserved people. (except the B&G from said wedding) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtk Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 Figure out who they're having their real relationships with and be sure to avoid putting them together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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