Weddings (in Black and White): An Appreciation

The title to this post isn't quite accurate because I've also included some shots from engagement shoots but I think you get the idea of what I'm talking about.

Generally when I shoot I sometimes see a shot and I know that this should be black and white.  It might be obvious because of the lighting conditions or the composition but something says, "Black and white." 

Not too long ago (ok, maybe it was long ago) black and white was how we photographed the world.  Photographs, movies and then television all began as black and white.  Later, as technology changed, colour made it's way into our photographic world. (A side note - I am Canadian and in Canada this is how we spell colour!)   Now colour dominates and black and white occasionally makes a guest appearance.

I always tell clients when I see a photograph as black and white and, luckily, most of my clients seem to be willing to indulge me when I deliver a few black and white shots.  But recently I've been going through past weddings and collecting my black and white photographs. 

When I look at these photographs I am struck by a sense of what I'll call "directness" to them.  The removal of colour allows the form and the content of the images a clearer expression.  Colour, it could be said, colours our reaction to the image (thank you, thank you. Try the veal) but in a way it's true.   I'll explain what I mean with the image above from an engagement shoot from last year.  Alix and James and I met on a beautiful October afternoon and had a great time.   I remember when we shot this image I loved the fact that I could see them and their profiles in their shadows and I said, "Black and white!" 

What does the colour image look like?

Is the black and white version better?  Not better but, in my opinion, stronger; you may disagree with me.  And that's okay.  (To be honest I believe that when I sent the images to Alix the black and white wasn't included).

So?

I suppose the point to this post (if there is a point) is to be open to black and white.  As a client trust your photographer if they say that a shot they just took is a black and white image. If you don't like black and white make sure your photographer knows this.  And photographers give yourself room for your own personal expression - that's what you've been hired for.  If presented with a client who doesn't like black and white you can still generate the black and white image for yourself and you can still give it to the client as well as a colour option.  If the client is open to the idea that some images will be black and white then make the decision - black and white it is.

Remember black and white is beautiful (and so is colour.)

A New Post (after much delay) Bianca is One!

I'm back (you probably didn't notice I was gone).  Wedding season started a while ago for me which has kept me busy and given me an excuse to not add more blog entries.  But Father's Day Weekend managed to be a weekend off which allowed me to start working on my backlog of entries.

So here goes...

A couple of years ago I shot Caterina and Elvis's wedding.  A number of shots from their wedding are on my Portfolio Page.  But just so you know who they are, here they are...

It was at their wedding that I met Dina and Marko (see blog) and it was at Dina and Marko's wedding that I met Bianca.

Bianca (and Caterina)

So, while shooting the wedding, Caterina and I decided that we should take some baby pictures of Bianca.  Well the time came just shy of Bianca's first birthday.  We scheduled the shoot so it would coincide with the end of Bianca's nap (kids are so lucky).  When Bianca woke we were ready to go and about an hour late we were done.  I think everyone had fun and I know that Bianca loved her cake.  Happy Birthday, Bianca.

Today's Photo - No Lifeguard

I still shoot film, for those who care about such things, and I still shoot for myself.  Recently I've been shooting with something called a "Flexbody";  it's a Hasselblad camera body and really what it's designed for is architectural work.  But like any precision tool, put it into the hands of someone who's less concerned with what it's meant and more concerned with seeing it can do and you can get some pretty unorthodox images.  Like this...

Frances is One

I guess I've known Frances (Frankie) for her whole life.  I met her mum and dad (Adrienne and Shaun) through Gus.  This is Gus...

And this...

And this...

You get the idea.

So, when Adrienne and Shaun told me they were going to have a baby and they wanted me to do the maternity shoot I was thrilled.  Since then I've photographed Frankie as a newborn, a 6 month old and now a year. It's amazing how quickly children grow and change.  I realized when I had a son that children only remain babies for the blink of an eye, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Happy Birthday, Frances.

Tina and Parsa Engagement Shoot

Tina and Parsa, are originally from Iran but now live in BC.  They had already done an engagement shoot but felt that those images didn't really capture who they are.  So, while Tina was in Toronto, I was asked to do a second engagement shoot for them.

Now, I've said that I procrastinate, which does have it's downsides but the upside is when it's time for me to do a blog post I sometimes have the couple to do the talking for me (like Shalane and Chris) and now Tina.  Here's what she had to say about her engagement shoot:

Hi John,

Parsa sent me the pictures and I really loved them. I just wanted to appreciate for the time you spend with us on that day and the great pictures you took. I was kind of concern on that day since we did not have a good experience with photo shoot on our engagement day and picture is something that I care a lot. I am really happy that they turned out good. Maybe, They are my best engagement gift. Thanks again :). 

Best Regards, 

Tina

Thank you, Tina.



Shalane & Chris Engagement Shoot

Well it's the new year and like I said in my first post I tend to procrastinate.  I find myself with a small backlog of potential posts, so, in honor of the new year, here's a new post:

Shalane and Chris's Engagement Shoot!

Now, normally I'd tell you a little bit about who Shalane and Chris are, how the shoot went and some other interesting little pieces of info (where we shot, who the dog is, why the playing cards, etc).  Like I said, normally.  But then I received a lovely email from Shalane and Chris and I thought I'd let her do the talking (and pat myself on the back at the same time). 

Happy New Year, Shalane and Chris!

"Hi John,

I just wanted to say thank you so much for doing our engagement shoot in October!  Chris and I just got the photos back and they are stunning!!  You are extremely talented and we are so lucky to have you as our photographer!

Thank you so much and we look forward to working with you again!!

Shalane and Christopher "

Pet Portraits #1

I finished our first set of portraits and I'm very happy with the results.  Each time I do this I'm reminded that no matter how well prepared I am as a photographer the end result relies as much upon the willingness of the subject as the skill of the photographer.  Having said that most of our subjects were gracious enough to allow me to capture at least one memorable image.  I'll be returning to "The Torontonian" on the 18th for another adventure.



Going to the Dogs (and Cats)

Last year I was fortunate enough to be asked to shoot some animal portraits for a tenant appreciation event/fund raising drive for the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program.  I can't tell you you how much fun it was.  I've always known that every animal has its own personality but in these portraits I felt I actually caught some of those personalities (which made me pretty happy.)  Well, I've got the chance to do it again this year and I'm thrilled for the opportunity because:

a) it's for a great cause.

And

b)...

(I think if you look at the pictures from last year you can figure "b" out.)

Dina and Marko Wedding

It's been a few weeks but I wanted to tell you a little bit about Dina and Marko's wedding.  I realized a while ago that sometimes words don't do justice to a wedding.  I could say the weather worked out (it did) or I could say the venue was lovely and the food was delicious (it was) or I could tell you that Dina looked radiant and Marko was handsome (obviously they were).  But all of that wouldn't say what was really special about the wedding.  No, what made this wedding so special to me was the sense of family - everyone was made to feel like they were part of the family.  All evening long people mingled, they joked, they talked but most of all they all had a great time.  But even though I've said all that I come back to how I started this post - sometimes words don't do justice to a wedding.  Congratulations Dina and Marko and Family!

Atlanta

As my previous post mentioned I recently was in Atlanta, Georgia;  I had the opportunity to shoot for Colliers International during one of their many and excellent training sessions called "The Colliers Way."  So, where's the fun and challenge in shooting a room full of people sitting around a table?  Well, the fun and the challenge is that you're photographing a room full of people sitting around a table;  It's documentary work which is one of my favorite ways to work even when I'm shooting weddings.  When done well it allows the image to capture real, unguarded moments. This is photography at it's most honest.   I also get to meet some really nice people and at the end of the day I get to go to a fantastic place called "Grain" and have something nice to eat and a really good drink.

(A special thanks to all the participants for having the good humor and patience to be in front of my camera all day.)

LAW_3068.jpg

Dogs (a gathering)

Recently I was asked to photograph a gathering of dogs by Nina MacDonald.  Nina is a dog walker in the area that I live and she has helped us out with our dogs, Henry and Daisy, for most of the time we've had dogs.  Nina got all the dogs she cares for together on a holiday Monday morning and for about an hour the dogs ran and played and I got the chance to watch and shoot the occasional picture.  It was a wonderful experience and reminded me again why I named my company "running dog."

"Lucky"

"Lucky"

"Owen"

"Owen"

"Jack"

"Jack"

"Ozzie"

"Ozzie"

"Daisy" - my dog

"Daisy" - my dog

personal work

Today I added a personal work gallery (for those who might be interested).  What does it show you?  I'm not sure.  Are these my best pictures?  They are among my favorites.  Are they good?  You tell me.  They're all shot on film (yes, you can still get film) and for this reason I feel more attached to them (don't ask me why).  If you see something you think might look good on your wall, your hall, wherever, let me know.  Secretly we all know photographs are meant to be set free and printed, not trapped on a computer screen.

Dina and Marko Engagement Shoot

I met Dina and Marko about a year ago when Dina was in the wedding party of a wedding I photographed.  So I was especially pleased when they called me out of the blue to photograph their wedding.  The plan had been to forego an engagement shoot because the wedding wasn't too far away.  But at the last minute they changed their minds.  I'm sure glad they did.  With less than a week before their wedding we spent an hour or so on the glorious last Sunday of the summer at Osgoode Hall. 

Sometimes those last minute decisions are the best.

All Images Copyright 2015 - John Lawson