JHenderson Studios Wants You, and Your Guests, to Stay in the Moment on Your Wedding Day
Monday, August 27, 2012
A few months ago, I attended a much anticipated music concert with friends. I danced and laughed with my friends all night - only sitting during stage changes. I had the time of my life! But, I noticed that the folks sitting in front of me didn't dance or laugh with friends; they didn't eat popcorn or do much else...other than video the entire concert on their phones. More than likely, they were recording to share with friends on Facebook. Facebook! Ugh! I have a love/hate relationship with it, because many of us are more interested in capturing moments to share with friends and quasi-friends virtually than we are interested in truly enjoying the moment, as it happens.
Are we living in the present? Or, are we only capturing the present with the hopes of enjoying it on some future date? On your wedding day, you should enjoy your day. Hire the best photographer and videographer you possibly can - so that you can have them capture the moment, for you and your family - while you can savor every breathtaking second.
Jenna of JHenderson Studios is one photographer that not only shares my philosophy, but lives it first hand, every single wedding weekend. In fact, Jenna wants to be ignored at your wedding. She likes to be a fly on the wall as she captures the movement of your day.
Jenna is a Nashville wedding photographer whose focus, as best I can explain it, is on people - their faces, their expressions. Some photographers love the wedding details: your fabulous decor, cake, monogram, draping, dress, etc. Jenna will capture that, but most of the day, you will find her capturing your story as it unfolds moment by moment. For that reason, the bride she attracts is a no-fuss bride, one that values the gathering of her family and friends over details. Yes, her day will be beautiful but in a simple, understated way where the decor isn't center stage. For her brides, Jenna captures details, as they help in telling the story, but her photographic eye quickly returns to movement of people.
Take the two weddings shown below. While some shots are of details or poses, you can tell that Jenna's favorite photos are of moments that happen organically. She takes portraits. It's what she loves and what she's known for; and if you are a bride or groom for whom that resonates, contact Jenna to see if you two connect.
Wedding 1: Josh and Sherri's Intimate Backyard Wedding
In the first, Sherri and Josh chose to wed in her Sherri's grandmother's backyard. She borrowed her dress from a friend and obviously added minimal, yet warm floral designs and decor. She decided she didn't need to spend a ton to have a pretty wedding but what she did value - was an incredible photographer, who would be with her every step of the way, snapping photos of every moment - big and small.
See the full wedding via this link - part 1 and part 2.
Wedding 2: Kurt and Brenda's Wedding
Jenna traveled to Pennsylvania for Kurt and Brenda's wedding. The series of photos below captured the essence of what Jenna, and the brides that hire her, love. Notice the movement, the emotion captured? They certainly tell a wonderful story of love, excitement, closeness, and friendship.
See the full wedding via this link - part 1 and part 2.
Jenna's very helpful tips:
Jenna notes, rather profoundly, "In order for me to capture the moment, they have to be in the moment."
You've hired a quality photographer/videographer for a reason. Ask your family and friends not to live the moment behind the lens; let the photographer tell the story.
Ask your guests to keep their photo/video taking to a minimum so that the photographer that you splurged on can actually get great photos without the flashes of your guests OR with photos of your guests in the background all taking photos too. Jenna has photographed some weddings where the couple placed a sign stating: "We want you to enjoy this moment with us; we have hired a photographer to capture the day. Let us enjoy you in our photo album without being distracted by photos of you with your device."
Or, ask guests to leave their recording devices in their car/home OR you can ask them to only take photos during minor moments amongst themselves - not during major moments where the pro photographer will be - i.e. bride's entrance, bridal party exit, first dance, etc. Good times for guests to take photos might be while they are hanging out at Table 6, during obvious down time.
Considering some of the tips above will help ensure that your mother is actually enjoying the moment versus taking photos the entire day, leaving all of your photos of her in your album with a camera for a face! Yes, it has happened.
About the Author:
Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide
Hey - I'm Ashley! I started AshleysBrideGuide.com to give Nashville brides, or folks planning a Nashville wedding, a local resource for inspiration and resources. Hope to see you at a bridal show soon! Happy Planning.
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Posted on August 27, 2012 |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Photography
