This photograph was taken at Elizabeth and Austin’s wedding at Liverpool Town Hall in August 2008. I really enjoyed this wedding and took quite a few photographs which I was particularly proud of, but this one is definitely my favourite.
It was taken in Liverpool Town Hall’s large ballroom during the couple’s first dance. It is one of those unposed emotional moments that would be almost impossible to set up. Elizabeth and Austin look so happy and everything in the shot, from the emotion of the bride and groom’s faces to the candles in the background, just fell right at that moment.
As well as myself, Elizabeth & Austin also hired a videographer to capture their wedding and whilst I was talking photographs the videographer was also on the dance floor filming. The videographer was using a video light on his video camera and it is this light which is lighting up Elizabeth’s veil and giving the rim of light around the couple’s faces. I think this really makes the image and it is an effort I have recreated at many weddings since by using off-camera flash.
To get an unposed photograph as strong as this also requires quite a bit of luck. For example I wasn’t consciously trying to position myself so that the candles in the background were just in the frame – but I’m thankful they were as they give the image depth and warmth.
This photograph was awarded a Gold Award in the wedding traditional category in the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) monthly competition and was also featured in the SWPP’s ‘Annual Collection 2008′ publication which contained the top 3 images per category submitted to the SWPP’s monthly competition in 2008. To have one of my wedding photographs included in the collection was a real honour.
In my opinion, this is certainly the best first dance shot I have ever taken but I will being doing my very best to beat it in the future!
by Neil
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