Naperville Magazine Wedding Photography – Excerpts from “Shoot from the Heart” Published in April 2011
By: Matthew K. Smith
Anyone who can hold a camera can take a photograph at a wedding, but it takes artistic talent, vision, and trained technical expertise to be able to call yourself a “wedding photographer.” Been to a wedding reception lately? If you have, you’ve probably noticed that things are done a little differently these days. The musical styles have changed, the dances have changed, the bridal party traditions have changed, and the photography has most definitely changed.
Progressive Photography
Wedding photography of the past was almost always limited to stiff poses without much regard for the underlying story of the bride and groom. Emotion, romance, and previously unseen preparation of the wedding day were largely bypassed in favor of set group shots. While many wedding industry photographers still practice traditional photography, a new era in wedding photography is shaping up—one that demands a more contemporary approach.
Wedding Chic
Naperville photographer Edward Weiland (www.EdwardWeiland.com) shares Marlow’s passion for capturing those spontaneous emotions. “I’m kind of an emotional photographer,” says Weiland. “I can’t help [but get] involved in the story of the bride and groom. It’s kind of corny, but I cry at just about every wedding I shoot. I really try to shoot from the heart.” Not that that’s anything to be ashamed of. When your photographer allows himself to be that immersed in his job, the resulting photographs are magical.
Landmark Locale
Key to that magic is the setting. Weiland enjoys shooting weddings in Naperville because the city’s churches and the downtown area are remarkably photogenic. Add in the Riverwalk and you have one of the most desired locales in the area. “I love shooting in Naperville. It’s awesome,” notes Weiland. “You can achieve the urban results and get that city feel without having to go into Chicago. It’s also the cleanest town you’ll ever see. That cleanliness really comes across in the shots.” When it comes to weddings, Weiland loves shooting at St. Raphael because of the freedoms given to him by the staff. “They have some really great vantage points that I like to take advantage of. All of that plays into the creativity of the shots.”
Hidden Companion
Both Marlow and Weiland take a similar approach to participating in the wedding festivities. “I’m not going to be on you all day and in your face,” says Weiland. “I want to capture the backstory of the day, the behind-the-scenes action that is off-limits. Whether that means taking shots of the groomsmen eating sandwiches and playing poker or the bridesmaids watching TV while the bride gets her hair and makeup done, it can all be shot in a compelling manner—all while I’m sort of a fly on the wall.”
Forever Memories
Post-wedding, most photographers now offer a printed wedding album—much like a high-end coffee table-type book—as opposed to the traditional album with photo inserts. Weiland favors these printed albums because it allows the bride and groom greater control of their favorite photos. “The couple selects their images, I digitally enhance each one—correcting lighting and skin tones—and then I turn the photos over to a graphic designer who produces each custom book,” says Weiland. The resulting album is hand-made in Italy and printed on 200-year antiquarian paper—which should last for generations. All of Weiland’s wedding packages include the book because he does not want to simply deliver digital images. He wants to guarantee that the couple has a printed record of the day. Says Weiland, “I tell each couple, ‘Fifty years from now you’ll still have your love for one another. . . and your wedding book.’”
These are the images that were featured in the magazine interview.
