Sand Key Florida -- Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/11 ISO 200 1/100th Strobist: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight @ 1/2 power with diffuser cap on light stand to frame left
Being patient and persistent allowed for these images of Olivia for this Bride Series collection, as well as spontaneous. Soon after her wedding ceremony, a huge storm rumbled across Sand Key Beach forcing us to take cover for over twenty minutes. It was already getting close to sunset time and I really thought we would have no more portrait opportunities. Then as suddenly as the storm arrived, the rain ceased leaving behind a dramatic sky background over the Gulf of Mexico.
Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8 lens @ f/8 ISO 200 1/640th natural lightThis is Olivia as she is getting ready to walk down the sandy beach aisle, before the storm. The weather was still calm then and the sun was giving off its usual warm glow of late evening. It is the ideal time for natural light portraits.
Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/11 ISO 400 1/100th Strobist: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight @ 1/2 power with diffuser cap on light stand to frame leftI mentioned before being spontaneous helped. This photograph was very impromptu (as was the lead image). As we were leaving our respective shelters, they from their cars (too hot for me) and me from the changing room covered open air deck, on our way to the beach I liked the green grass background and thought it would be a unique shot to have amongst all the other on sand shots. Olivia was willing to leap up onto the railing of the boardwalk. I quickly setup my light stand and dialed in the settings. I was very happy we made the effort to get these shots.
Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D lens @ f/8 ISO 200 1/400th natural lightSo what could have ended up as a very shortened wedding portrait session turned into an opportunity for portraits with a unique and dramatic backdrop. Over this summer I have come to actually prefer stormy sky backdrops over ordinary calm sunset skies. Thanks to Olivia for being so open to all my ideas.