DC Photographer

DC Party Photographer

Freezing an element in time, Photo © Blake Newman, ArtistsCafe

I love this photo for many reasons.  For one, I think the expressions were great.  Second, I just love how I was able to freeze the spray of the champagne in mid-air.

Great candids, party shots, and photojournalism don’t just happen, they are made.  For one, you need to anticipate action.  You need to be in the right place and the right time, and that is not always an accident.  You also need to be quick on the draw, fast on the shutter, and quick to make adjustments or rapid fire shots if action is emerging over time.  Finally, you need to know your equipment and most importantly, lighting.  If my flash had overpowered the shot then the background would have gone completely black and we would not have been able to get all of the facial expressions in the photo.  It’s little things like this that add up to great photography.

Celebrations are for champagne and cigars, Photo: © Andrea, ArtistsCafe

Another great moment, in my opinion, by my shooting partner, Andrea.  This candid photo has many great elements as well.  It is symbolic in many ways.  I also like how Andrea managed to include the groom’s ring in this photo.

Let them eat cake, Photo: © Blake Newman, ArtistsCafe

The great elements about this photo from a classic Italian wedding in Washington DC are the expressions, the lighting, and the classic moment.  Andrea, my shooting partner, was opposite me and to the left, shooting on the side of the cake.  You can see her odd-shaped flash to the left of the screen, which provided a helpful back-light to the photo.  The lighting of the cake and the shine on the groom’s hair is also a result of Andrea’s flash.

I was using a wide angle lens to capture as much depth of field as possible and as many people in the background as I could.  I also dragged the shutter and froze the action with my flash so that I could bring up the ambient light in the background.  Otherwise, the entire background would have gone completely black.

This photograph also speaks to experience and anticipation.  There are multiple photo opportunities when it comes to cutting the cake.  But, inevitably, they always tend to kiss before, during, or after they cut the cake and share a bite with each other.  Often, the bride will kiss her groom for feeding her a piece of cake nicely and not smashing it in her face.

Spiral action of a bride's dress, Photo: © Blake Newman, Artists Cafe

I like this photo for many reasons as well.  For one, I doubt that any guest would have caught this.  So, it is one thing that separates me and my photography from that of a guest.  Nowadays with the proliferation of great digital cameras that are both smart and forgiving, I’ve got to do something to separate myself from the crowd.

I also like this shot because it serves as both a party shot and a detail shot.  That bride probably spent a lot of time selecting the right shoes, the right dress, and maybe even the right stockings for her wedding.  I’ve been able to pay attention to some of these details for her.

Finally, it is a symbolic photo to show how she kicked up her heels and enjoyed her wedding.  Nobody will ever know that it wasn’t her father or groom who was spinning her around on the dance floor.