Music at weddings, as in life can leave one with many feelings.  It is not a visual thing, however it is something that  triggers things in the hearer’s mind that evokes emotion or feeling.  Well chosen music played at a wedding does exactly the same thing. It helps to support the days emotions.

Music can be loud, sharp, soft, sexy, sweet, sultry, romantic, brassy, sensuous…  You name it, and it can say it.

How music is delivered can also add to its impact.  As a wedding  photographer, I’ve witnessed weddings were music was delivered via an iPod,  from a DJ, to music performed real time by a band.  All of the mentioned ways of delivery can be done very well,  and all of them can have a significant impact on a wedding day.

One of the things that separates really good photography from OK photography, is that the former leaves you with the thought “this is what it felt like to be there,” vs. “this is what it looked like to be there.”

A responsibility of a good wedding photographer is to communicate to the viewer not just what the day looked like, but what the wedding day felt like.   You want to be taken back to the feelings of your wedding day when you look at your images.

When photographing a wedding, I’m sure to include something that speaks of the music presented that day, as it plays such a large part in the day.  I have to admit that I’ve never photographed an iPod at a wedding reception.  However  I take great, great delight in photographing a band!

Here are some favorites which when I revisit them, I feel as if they take me back to that day.

Working  the crowd at a wedding reception at the Fresh Meadows Country Club.

Sounding brassy at the Fresh Meadows Country Club.

A very hot wedding band vocalist at the Fresh Meadows Country Club.

Letting it loose at a wedding reception at the Ridgewood Country Club.

A sassy bass at the Chart House Restaurant.                                                            Enda playing for his wife at their reception, the Molly Pictcher Inn.

My hat is off to those that have come before, those that currently do, and to those that will provide the music which makes our lives so much richer.  Our world would not be the same with out you!

Steve Burns

Karyn and George where married in a Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony at St. John The Theologian in Tenafly, NJ.

Their ceremony is one that I particularly love to witness.   It’s with good reason that I’ve fallen in love with the various aspects of, and the symbolisms in their service; having documented several over the years.

After their wedding mass, Karyn and George chose to have romantic photographs done at the beautiful Davis Johnson Gardens in Tenafly, NJ, a donation supported formal garden that loves to work beautiful brides and their grooms.  Without donations those lovely gardens would not exist.

The reception was held later that evening at the beautiful Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ.

Karyn and her girls getting ready.

Karyn, as a very beautiful bride.

Karyn being escorted down the isle by her father Carlos.

Karyn and George during their marriage ceremony.

Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony.

Beautiful late afternoon sun at Davis Johnson Park.

Karyn’s first dance with her now husband George, as their wedding guests look on.

And of course George and his uncle had to lead the cheers that evening!        Steve Burns

I just recently returned from a weekend trip to The Inn at Erlowest in Lake George NY.  Two full days of photographic coverage with an amazing couple,  great family and some awesome vendors.

The threat of rain came just as we were wrapping up photos by the lake..

Finishing the night off with some fireworks!

Some more images can be found on my facebook page, or more will be coming to my personal blog soon!

Josh

…so…yes, the satisfaction is huge when you get it right! It’s a feeling uncomparable to anything else. When you know you got THE shot you are the king of the hill, the master of the universe, the winner of the race, the monkey with the biggest banana in the cage!

“Could you show me a few that you think are your best photojournalistic shots ever?” asked the bride again. “Here’s a few I really like…” I replied.

While I was spending time with Suzi and capturing a few details in the morning:

early morning at the Pleasantdale Chateau
 

… David was capturing other preparations and spending time with Kevin:

There are also the times when two different views are equally as beautiful, as are the reactions to the main subject:

Kevin was watching Suzi as I photographed her.

I first heard it used in the context of piping, better known over here as bag-piping. Several years ago on a dark and stormy night (sorry couldn’t resist that) as I was quietly sitting in the background half listening to my youngest son’s solo tutor preparing him for his first competition. Mark, the tutor explained that it was not simply enough to have  learned to play a piece of music exceedingly well but that the piper must “own the music”.  Meaning that he, or she, must be in absolute control of himself and his pipes, reeds, drones, bag and all the other elements that make up a set of bagpipes. Not only that but also he, or she, must be oblivious to anything else, the weather, the judges or a parent in the audience.

I dropped the book I had been reading, listened, wrote down what the tutor had said and thought long and hard about his words. I believe it is the same for photographers. I believe that in order to produce excellent images on a consistent basis the photographer must “Own the image”. He, or she, must know not only all the ins and outs of the equipment but must also be completely focused, pun intended, on the subject matter. The professional wedding photographer must also have an acute awareness of the space, events and others around himself/herself  and work quickly and quietly without becoming a distraction.  One arrives at this point only after many, and by many I mean thousands, hours of practice.

Last month I practiced some more myself

Ulster Scottish, the pipe band my son plays with, recorded some of their music. I was given permission to photograph the event. I have to say that I was absolutely flabbergasted and struck by their level of competency and by their dedication. These folks do “Own their Music”.

Pipes

Practice

Practice makes perfect

Ulster-Scottish Pipe Band

"This isn't their first rodeo!"

As I watched I whispered to the pipe-major, Dave Hall, “This isn’t their first rodeo, is it?” Dave quietly chuckled and shared with me just how long and hard they practice. I could see and hear how they “Own their music”, some of which you may enjoy in this short show.

Little white rose that I loved, that I loved,
Roisin ban, Roisin ban!
Fair my bud as the moring’s dawn.
I kissed my beautiful flower to bloom,
My heart grew glad for its rich perfume-
Little white rose that I loved.

Little white rose that I loved grew red,
Roisin rua, Roisin rua!
Passionate tears I wept for you.
Love is more sweet than the world’s fame-
I dream you back in my heart the same,
Little white rose that I loved!

Little white rose that I loved grew black,
Roisin duv, Roisin duv!
So I knew not the heart of you,
Lost in the world’s alluring fire,
I cry in the night for my heart’s desire,
Little white rose that I loved!

Dora Sigerson, (1866-1918).  A poet from, “The land of happy wars and sad love songs”, Ireland.

A short while ago I had the honor to photograph the wedding of Anne and Paul at the Fordham University Church on the Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx, N.Y.   And I will tell you that their wedding celebration was most definately not a sad love song! 

The wedding mass was co-celebrated by Father Bill O’Malley, and Anne’s friend, Father Chuks Afiawari.  Their day was witnessed by the rounding up of the usual supects of close family and friends from around the golobe.  Their wedding reception was held at the New Leaf Cafe in Fort Tryon Park.  The New Leaf Cafe, a wonderful intimate venue, is one of Bette Midler’s New York Restoration projects, were private events are planned by Tiffany Hogan.

Anne and Paul:  “May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”

These are just a few of the many images captured during their day…

Steve Burns