Frequently, and for whatever reason, couples leave location ideas for portrait sessions to my discretion. They might say they’d like trees or architecture or, God bless ‘em, a bar, but otherwise they leave it to me because I’m “the creative one.” That’s cool and a lovely conceit but can be debilitating because I sometimes wither under the tyranny of too many choices.
Counterpoint: Alexson + Paul, whose wedding is in November, had definite ideas when I asked if they had any suggestions. They love their house and its colossal backyard. Paul also brews his own beer so they poured some tall ones and partook while I worked. Then, being graduates of Drake University, they figured it only natural to shoot there.
Too often, I bristle when told there are rules or I don’t have free reign to run around with camera in one hand and scissors in the other. It’s even likely I cringed a little when Alexson offered her fairly specific ideas. However, having limitations can be good for the brain muscle. It forces me to focus and MacGyver creativity in spots I might otherwise have passed on. The other part of the equation is the willingness of the subjects to play their part, whether they or I picked the stage. Alexson + Paul played the part of the amorous couple perfectly and we made the most of where we were (even if it wasn’t my idea).
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