Formal wedding portrait

Jean Kelly · 08-08-2003, 12:12 PM

Hi,

I'll be meeting with a new client next week to discuss a formal wedding portrait of the bride and groom, complete with train, veil, tux, the whole thing. Does anyone have any tips or gems of wisdom to offer on this very ambitious project? I've done some looking at how other artists handle "white" and will try to have the dress here and posed (on a dress form). Are there any particular artist's work that would be helpful?

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 08-08-2003, 05:33 PM

One of the most important factors in the success of this project will be getting the very best reference photos (or life sittings) you possibly can. Work with the couple carefully on where they'll be posed, what the lighting will be like, etc.

Here's how I plan a photo shoot. At the inital meeting with the client we choose two or three locations, at the most. (ie. in front of the fireplace, outside under a tree, whatever).

These locations need to have the lighting you want or you'll need to bring your own. Plan where you will shoot from and don't move yourself or them from that spot.

Then, on photo shoot day, shoot at least 100 photos of them in each location, with you always shooting from the same height and angle and them standing or sitting in the same spot for all the photos. This is so you can combine faces, hands, etc. later if needed.

If these details are shot from different angles or with the light coming from even a slightly different direction it won't look right when you try to use the bride's hand from photo 70 with her body from photo 71, for example.

Be sure to shoot lots of closeups of faces and hands, too.

As far as painting white, look at Sargent's work, and many of the artists on SOG, too. One of my favorite artists for outdoor paintings of white clothes is Hongmin Zou.

Good luck and have fun! Keep us "posted" on how this project progresses.

Mike McCarty · 08-08-2003, 08:58 PM

Jean,

I would consider scouting out the church (or a church) prior to the shoot. They often times have some interesting windows and interesting light. I would scout the light indoors.

You may also consider hiring a photographer to do the shoot. Meet with him prior to the shoot and describe your purpose. There's no law that says it has to be your camera and you have to pull the trigger. Of course you would have an understanding regarding the ownership of the images.

When the time comes you can spend your time directing the scene, checking for all the little details of hands, hair, etc., and leave the technical stuff to the pro.

As Michele said, make sure he understands that you need a close-up of each full composition.

Jean Kelly · 08-09-2003, 12:49 PM

Michele, I'll print this out to remind me to cover all the bases. I haven't looked at Sargent yet, but have looked at many SOG artists. Thanks for the suggestion.

Mike, good idea. My photography skills are somewhat lacking--think I'll talk to the photographer. I expecially like the idea of scouting out the church. My husband and I were married at a church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright here in Madison. If I were to do a painting of our wedding, the architecture would outshine the main subjects!

Jean

Jean Kelly · 08-13-2003, 09:23 PM

Hi, everything went well. I have a down payment, photo shoot in early Sept. and enough info to do a value study and plan the composition. I'll be visiting the church, and trying to remember everything I've learned here!

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 08-13-2003, 10:32 PM

Before the photo shoot you may want to review SOG portraits of couples for pose ideas (especially for what they can be doing with their hands, always an issue when I photograph someone!)

I find I can't do value studies until after I get the photos shot and have reviewed them to see which ones I want to show the client.

I typically show clients half a dozen face options and half a dozen body pose options. I make very sure before I do this that the faces will go with the bodies properly (same lighting, angles, etc.)

I only show them photos I would really love to paint, and not any that would be difficult because there might be stuff I'd have to invent or fill in. Those never get shown to the client.

For future reference: at the photo review appointment I have the clients literally initial the photos they choose, so there's no confusion later.

Have fun and let us know how the photo shoot goes!

Jean Kelly · 08-13-2003, 11:40 PM

These people are really fun, I know I'll have a good time with this. I'll be in touch!

Jean

Cynthia Daniel · 08-14-2003, 01:58 PM

For what it's worth, I do have a Bridal Gallery on the site: http://www.portraitartist.com/bridal.htm

Only one is of the bride and groom.

Jean Kelly · 08-14-2003, 05:32 PM

I've already been there, as well as looking through the women. I'll visit couples next. You truly do have a remarkable group of artists. I've already planned the composition, based on interior shots of the church that they brought with them. I'll be drawing it up to scale to make sure my canvas size will work. Her dress is all beaded, at least the veil is fairly simple. I'm looking forward to this.

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 08-14-2003, 07:50 PM

Jean, just FYI: I usually plan two or three different compositions (different settings, different lighting) in case some unforseen problems come up with poses, shadows etc. Then there will be some alternatives to choose from and we won't have to schedule a separate shoot. Just something to think about.