Janine is one of those brides that really really makes me enjoy being a wedding photographer. Janine and Scott and I first met when my wife Caroline and I had literally just moved to Philly. Janine and Scott weren’t shy about letting me know what was important to them in their photography Collection. We talked a lot and they were clear and focused on what they wanted and didn’t want and we found a scenario that worked great for them and me. It’s my belief that the more I get to talk with clients in the early part of the relationship when we’re hammering out details and budget the easier and smoother the process is from start to finish. They know they’re getting an open forum to air their hopes and dreams for their photography and I get a chance to know them and am able to cater my coverage and Collection details to them.  Janine and Scott asked lots of questions and never hesitated to call with thoughts and ideas as the day approached.

Once the day got here, all of that dialogue came back to help us out when navigating the major force of change on the day, Hurricane Hanna moved through town with high winds and tons of rain. The alarms were going off in the hotel so we had to move the finalizing of getting ready over to the Knowlton Mansion in Northeast Philly. The rain put an end to their hopes of an outdoor, garden style wedding to the indoor location. One of the best pieces of advice when it comes to the day of the wedding is to sit back and relax because no matter what happens on this day, you are still married at the end. I like to say that anything that happens on your wedding day is good luck. And without missing a beat, Janine and Scott moved forward with their day that was capped off with an awesome night of dancing, tons of smiling and everyone was basking in the blow of Scott and Janine’s quite obvious joy and love for each other.

It’s not hard, I think, to just love this picture for it’s simple elements of Janine surrounded by Scott and her friends in an abundant moment of joy and exhilaration. The lighting, the kind I bring with me to every wedding, focuses your attention on Janine without overpowering or changing the feel of the room. I want my light to accentuate the mood of the event, not overwhelm or change the feel of the day. It takes extra special care and craft to make sure this is done well but to me it’s worth the effort to set up multiple lights to get a bold and exciting look to the images that one on-camera strobe gives.