Wedding

Tradewinds on St. Pete Beach Sunset Wedding

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Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/8 ISO 200 1/160th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mountedWhen photographing a wedding on a beach, such as this one at Tradewinds St. Pete Beach, there are many factor's out of the photographer's control.  First and foremost of course is the sun, and how bright or not bright it is that afternoon, as well as the number of beach-goers wondering around in the background.  So it is not too often that everything comes together as perfectly as can be reasonably expected as it did for Jennifer and John's beach wedding, i.e. brilliant but manageable sunlight and a near empty beach.

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/11 ISO 200 1/250th Strobist: SB-800 to frame left & SB-600 to frame rightThe Tradewinds Resort is also a good beach wedding location because of its nearby sea grass-covered sand dune, which is my preferred background for the after-ceremony formal portraits, as at that time the sun is usually still too powerfully backlighting the water.  

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/11 ISO 200 1/250thJennifer and John had a very above average number of guests for a beach wedding, which made the big group shot a particular challenge.  I am actually not entirely satisfied with how this shot come out.  There was no point in using my two strobes as they could not light such a long line of people, so I had to rely on the sun to help me out.  People's instinct in group shots is to curl themselves into a semi-circle.  My want was for a very straight, if not slightly convex line to be formed.  This would allow sunlight to evenly light all the people.  Despite several minutes of asking everyone to keep backing up and trying to put them in place, I apparently was not strong enough in my prodding as the people on the right side of the shot are still too much in cross-shadow.  I tried!  That would be the Don Cesar Resort in the far background.

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/8 ISO 200 1/200th Strobist: SB-800 to left & SB-600 to rightAfter the big group shot and the many wedding party shots, at last it was just Jennifer, John and I along with the sun and Gulf of Mexico.  There were not gale force winds that evening, the veil is being held by a bridesmaid (photo secret).  

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/8 ISO 200 1/200th Strobist: SB-800 off camera to left & SB-600 to rightThe blues were very vidid that sunset, and there were just enough clouds to make the sky interesting.  To me, I think a kissing portrait looks best when the couple is not actually quite kissing.  An actual kiss squishes faces in an unflattering way.  That's why I ask couples to keep their lips slightly apart or only just touching.  Jennifer and John did a great job with their almost-kissing form.

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/100th Strobist: SB-800 to left and SB-600 to rightJennifer really like the lacy bamboo canopy setup for their wedding ceremony, requesting a shot of her alongside what I hope is an artificial (or previously long-lived) starfish.  This was a bit tricky to light as she was in shadow under the canopy and the sunset was dancing on her shoulder.  This is where experience counts as I was able to properly position my two strobes (one on a light stand the other a tripod) in time as the sunset is on its own timetable.  

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 400 1/60th Strobist: SB-800 to frame right & SB-600 to frame left this timeI had already packed up nearly all of my photo gear.  Jennifer and John were strolling back toward the Tradewinds.  Then I noticed the fantastical violet and reds of the twilight sky that had formed after the sunset.  My arranged photography time was finished and fulfilled.  I had no more official photography duties.  However, I knew as a photographer I could not pass up such a background and beckoned for J & J to come back pointing at the sky.  I quickly got my gear back out and setup before the sky had time to change its mind, and was able to produce the above shot, and got the moon overhead as well.  See that empty beach?  Such a shame to have such few witnesses to a wonderful Florida evening. 

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    • St. Petersburg Snell Isle Christmas Wedding

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    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 200 0.8s tripod mounted with cable releaseIt is always nice when you have the chance to photograph the wedding of someone you know, even if it is just tangentially.  For this Christmas wedding (day after actually) I had the shortest commute I think I will every have, literally just two minutes as it took place at a neighbor's* home here in Snell Isle, St. Petersburg.  I know the neighbor from the local dog park.  Our dogs have been fast friends since they were 4-month old puppies.  I met the bride-to-be at the dog park as well the week before the wedding as she and her fiance traveled down to Florida with their own dog.

    Macro shots with Nikon D300 & Nikkor AF-S 105mm VR micro lensDue to my familiarity with all involved I had zero nerves before going to photograph this wedding.  Plus, I had done all due preparation by visiting their house and seeing exactly where the ceremony would take place and on the wedding day there was ample time to photograph the rings, wedding dress, etc before the actual ceremony.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 200 1/80th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mounted in TTL modeAs you can see, there were water hazards involved in photographing the wedding ceremony!  Though I had to be very careful with my steps, this island setting allowed for clean views from all sides of the couple during the ceremony.  No human, dog or camera gear fell into the pool thankfully!

    Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D @ f/2.8 ISO 400 1/200th natural lightThe atmosphere the entire afternoon was very lighthearted and full of laughter, even during the ceremony.  This further contributed to my lack of nervousness the entire wedding and made it just plain really fun to be a part of, even though I was working and my usual focused self while shooting.  

    Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D @ f/2.8 ISO 400 1/200th natural lightThere were surprises during the wedding ceremony as the groom gave his bride a ring she had never seen before.  I was told later that it had significant meaning.  Before the smiles you see above there were hugs and tears at the sight of the ring. 

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 400 1/80th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mounted (straight up) in TTL modeAfter the ceremony the carefully selected wedding guests and family members got together for a formal portrait in the living room, though the laughs that first broke out during the wedding ceremony carried over to the formals as well, which was fine by me.  

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 320 1/50th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mounted in TTL modeThen the newlyweds and I were off for some outdoor shots on a very, very cold winter day.  I fear warm winters for west central Florida are now a thing of the past, and daytime temperatures in the 50s will have to be tolerated, or one must move to Key Largo.  I had the benefit of wearing my unfailing Mountain Hard Wear Windstopper Tech Jacket, and the groom at least had on his suit jacket, so the bride was the bravest of all showing no sign of freezing despite wearing a wispy wedding dress.  I worked as fast as I could to get the shots I wanted to at the gazebo in front of the Vinoy Country Club golf course, a location I had always wanted to photograph at.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 320 1/50th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mounted in TTL modeFrom there we went to the waterfront near a famous (for Snell Isle residents) white bridge.  As twilight took over the area, the temps dropped even more, so I was very glad to hear the couple say they had actually practiced "the dip," a skill for sure that I recommend all future couples practice before the day of their wedding.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/4 ISO 800 1/40th Strobist: SB-800 handheld "quick & dirty" styleThis was the very last shot I took of the entire day.  It was an extremely satisfying experience from a photography standpoint as I got to try many different shots I never had before.  This was as enjoyable as photographing a wedding gets.  Thank you to the bride & groom for their super cooperation and toughness, and for my neighbors hiring me to photograph their daughter's wedding.  See you all at the dog park!

    --More from this wedding coming soon: bride series, black & white wedding 

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    *names not mentioned for privacy 

    Wedding Photography FAQ for 2011 Candid Wedding Packages

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    Want to know more about my Candid Wedding Photography Services?  

    Now available: 

    I have created a wedding photography FAQ in an effort to answer even more questions a prospective wedding client may have.  Basically, it is an attempt to help answer the question:  WHY should I hire Jason to photograph my wedding?

    To read more about Jason personally, please visit the ABOUT page.

    Pass-A-Grille Sunset Wedding in St Petersburg

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    Silhouette shots are VERY rare for me -- Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/1250thOne reason I think I have come to like Pass-A-Grille Beach at the tip of St. Petersburg so much is because I had never been there before in my previous Florida life.  It is still very new to me.  I like that it is at the tip of the Pinellas County peninsula too.  The end of the line, not built up, not crowded, somewhat forgotten.  It stands in opposition to the horror of Clearwater Beach.  

    Such was the scene for the last beach wedding of the year for me to photograph.  Jennifer and John were a jovial couple, not ones to stare deep into the camera, but rather engage in playfulness as I, seemingly unaware to them, photographed them from various distances, such as the above silhouette shot.  This type of image is a staple of sunset photography (because it is dead easy to make).  Perhaps this is why I have basically never made a professional silhouette shot before this one as I try for very complex dual-strobe light sunset shots offering clients a uniquely creative image.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/100th Strobist: SB-800 on light stand to left & SB-600 on tripod to rightThe above shot is more my own "typical" sunset beach wedding shot.  A two-strobe setup showing the vivid colors provided by west coast Florida sunsets.  I suggested to John and Jennifer they do "the dip" and this was the result!  This attempt provided the best smiles of the evening.  For the record, Jennifer was never in any real danger of falling into the water.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/100th Strobist: SB-800 on light stand to left SB-600 on tripod to rightAfter "the dip" I suggested Jennifer have some of her own solo camera time.  I believe John was doing something behind me to keep Jennifer laughing.  I asked her to hold out her flowing dress, which made for a rather princess-like shot I would say.

    Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/200th Strobist: SB-800 to left SB-600 to rightI am a big fan of the couple looking out to the Sea shot.  No doubt this is because I, myself, was born looking out to the Sea by instinct.  Therefore, it is only natural that I produce photographs that I would want of myself.  Maybe this is what every photographer does?  And since we all like different things, this creates different styles among photographers despite the fact we all use very similar photography equipment and shoot at similar locations.  My purpose with the above shot for John & Jennifer is for them to look upon this photograph in 2030 and try and remember what they were thinking at, to try to remember what they say that evening looking upon the horizon. 

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    • Rusty Pelican Sunset & Twilight Wedding with Mary & Jason

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    Rusty Pelican in Tampa waterfront view of Tampa Bay provides the background for the wedding couple

    You really never know where you might find a wedding photography job.  Back in February I was still considering other work to supplement the photography business.  I was at some nursing college in Tampa to interview for an English teaching position there.  One of the other two applicants was Mary.  During the mind numbingly boring 2-hour class we were "requested" to sit in on we got to talking and it turned out she was engaged and did need a wedding photographer.  From that very chance encounter, it ended in me photographing her wedding to Jason at the Rusty Pelican along Tampa Bay.  Oh, and though we were told we were the only candidates for the jobs, no one was ever contacted again!

    Inside the lobby of the Westin Hotel in Tampa was this very cool waterfall background that presented a challenge to photograph well.

    I started photographing their wedding from their apartment near downtown Tampa.  Mary was getting ready there as well as the bridesmaids.  Then I was off to the Westin Hotel to meet Jason and the groomsmen.  The lobby of the Westin was really cool looking and I was excited to have a very modern looking glass waterfall to use as a background.  

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/4 ISO 800 1/40th Strobist: Nikon SB-800 to left & Nikon SB-600 to right

    I have to admit it took me quite a few tries to finally get the exposure correct so that the colors in the waterfall could be seen and that the groomsmen were all adequately lit up.  To get the above image, I had to use a settings combo that I never had before.  I had to have very steady hands while using 1/40th of a second shutter speed.  I told the groomsmen to likewise hold there poses as statuesque as possible.  In the end I was very pleased with the results and gained a lot of new experience from shooting in such a unique location.  

     At the Rusty Pelican, father of the bride walks her down the aisle to give her awayThe weather cooperated perfectly for Jason and Mary's outdoor wedding ceremony at the Rusty Pelican.  It was not even that hot.  The sky had just enough clouds to make an interesting backdrop for the ceremony and later the formal portraits.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 200 1/80th Strobist: SB-800 to left and SB-600 to rightThere were two other weddings earlier at the Rusty Pelican.  We were fortunate to be last because that meant I was already well setup for getting the best sunset and twilight backgrounds for my photographs.  Two other photographers had to scurry for lesser spots.  

    Making a group portrait like this at twilight would not be possible without a 2-strobe setupOver the course of this year I added a second strobe to my strobist setup for sunset and twilight portraits.  This allows me to properly light a wide group of people like the nine adults in a row above.  This is one rare, highly specialized skill that is available to clients who choose Jason Collin Photography.

    A Wedding Kiss at Twilight from the Rusty PelicanOn their shot list, Mary and Jason wanted a photograph of them under the Rusty Pelican sign.  Time was running short, as often tends to happen with wedding photography, so as we were walking in to the reception, I had them stand under the sign while I quickly setup my 2-strobe technique with my camera bags being hurriedly tossed aside (closed though!) and was able to get several different shots of them while placating the Rusty Pelican staff person urging them to get inside to their guests.  

    For me, that was the last tough, time pressured shot of the night.  From there it was off to the free flowing shooting environment of the wedding reception.  Mary and Jason's wedding was a great technical challenge that allowed for me to produce some of my most creative shots of the year.

    Cypress Point Park Tampa Sunset on the Beach Wedding

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    Cypress Point Park made for a surprisingly nice sunset beach wedding location.

    Renata and Enrique told me they wanted to have a sunset beach wedding.  I thought, ok, great.  Those are one of my specialties.  Then they said it would be in Tampa at a place called Cypress Point Park.  I had to take to Google Maps to find it because even with ten years living in the area I had never even heard of it.  Turns out its nestled right next to the Howard Franklin Bridge facing Tampa Bay close to the airport.  In my mind I was skeptical about the location, even after first scouting it out a few days earlier.  However, on the actual day of the shoot, I became a fan of Cypress Point Park and a place I would recommend to future couples wanting an alternative to Pinellas County beaches.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/125th Strobist: SB-800 & SB-600 off camera to left & right respectively

    Once we finished the portraits with the wedding party and guests, it was time for just the three of us to have some fun.  Renata was really into being photographed, which of course is a very nice for the photographer.  As you may guess, most people are rather shy in front of the lens.

    Nikon D80 Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 @ f/4 ISO 200 1/200th Strobist: SB-800 and SB-600 off camera to left & right respectivelyOnce it was just Renata and I, she really was excited, and me too.  Getting enthusiastic body language back from the person being photographed definitely helps the photographer.  It is part of the photographer's job to coax such enthusiasm from a person if it is not immediately flowing on its own, but it is always better when the person brings some of their own energy into making the photograph.  

    Tampa bride floating at twilight!Rentata was really up for anything and when I suggested a ballerina-like leap she said sure!  If I recall correctly, the above shot was only the second (and final) attempt.  It is a shot I had been wanting to try for awhile, and I finally had the right circumstances and bride to do it!  Thanks Renata!

    Auburn Storm Sky Wedding on Sand Key Florida

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    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/8 ISO 400 1/100th Strobist: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight on light stand to frame leftYou may already recognize Olivia from her bride series entry several weeks ago, so allow me to introduce her husband Felix.  Their Florida beach wedding on Sand Key finished just before a huge storm swept in.  That was the good news.  The bad was Olivia really wanted sunset backdrop portraits and in my long time Florida resident opinion, it was just not going to be possible.  However, I was obviously proven wrong as the storm was extremely fast moving and left enough time for the portraits Olivia hoped for.  The bonus was the leftover stormy skies provided a unique and dramatic background.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/8 ISO 200 1/800th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mountedEven during the ceremony the storm clouds were already visible.  The above is my first try at a new wedding ceremony shot for when a bride wears a long veil -- using the veil to frame the foreground in order to feature the groom.  The bride always gets so much attention, I want to try and do something for the groom when I can.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 1/200th Strobist -- Nikon SB-800 Speedlight on light stand to frame rightThis throwing stones into the ocean was a new custom for me to photograph at a beach wedding.  The beast of a storm in the background is on its way south to rain upon St. Petersburg.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/8 ISO 400 1/100th Strobist -- Nikon SB-800 Speedlight on light stand to frame leftThe flower girl and her big sister were no worse for ware after the rain delay.  They were staying dry in their family van, me I was out in the semi-protected cover of a changing area listening to the storm carefully.

    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/8 ISO 400 1/60th Strobist -- Nikon SB-800 Speedlight on light stand to frame leftSo it all turned out well and ended with smiles and even a pirate ship!  Rain is a reality in Florida, especially in the summer time, but even if it comes, a photographer should be patient and wait it out until the last possible moment to see if a few more shots can be made.  Plus I always am aware of my surroundings and note where I can take cover should sudden rain come besides keeping a rain jacket next to my gear.