Having spent the years between 1995 and 2005 photographing hundreds of rock and roll bands with a point and shoot film camera, I completely understand that it’s the photographer that makes the photo and not the gear. When it comes to weddings, however, having a solid camera body can be a lifesaver, especially when the rules at the church call for no flash, and the place is a dark cavernous room lit only by candles. I chose to shoot Nikon because I knew I could rely on its autofocus system and the high ISO is nearly noise free. To date I haven’t shot a single ceremony with flash, and hopefully I will never have to. Anyway, here’s the latest edition of What’s In My Bag? Just in case you wanted to know.

THE CAMERA BODIES

Nikon D3s – I don’t think anyone can argue that this is the Cadillac of camera gear. When I first got into digital photography, my own wedding photographer, Kristin Reimer, had just upgraded from the D2 series to the new D3 and couldn’t stop raving about it. I already owned the D700, which was an amazing camera in its own right (borrowing a sensor directly from the D3), but I pined for the double card slots, rugged exterior and 100% viewfinder. When Nikon announced that the new D3s could shoot at 6400 ISO with almost zero noise, I decided that I had to own it. I saved every penny I earned from my first year in business and dropped every cent of it on this bad boy. Since then I have absolutely zero regrets. This camera is bomb proof, fits perfectly in my large hands, and creates 12 megapixel files that are to die for. I realize that the D3s is an extravagant camera, but as a professional, I really can’t imaging owning anything else. The insurance from the double card slots alone is worth the price of admission, and the flawless autofocus just can’t be topped.

Nikon D700 – The D700 is pretty much the reason why I switched to Nikon. I spent years waiting for Canon to release a new version of its classic 5D camera. I ignored the Nikon fanboys that were calling the D3 and D700 the greatest wedding cameras available. But when the 5DMKII finally came out, I was seriously saddened by its miserable ability to capture focus in less than stellar light. Here I was calling myself a low-light event photographer and I could barely focus on anything in a dark room. I sold everything and bought the D700. Since then I’ve been sold on the Nikon system, and the D700 as been my MVP. With the MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack grip attached, I use this interchangeably with the D3s and hardly know the difference. The ISO is clean up to about 3200 and the autofocus works magic in the most dreary reception situations, not to mention rock & roll concerts.

Nikon D90 – The D90 was my original backup to the D700. It was the first Nikon camera (and I’m pretty sure the first ever DSLR) with video capabilities, but I wouldn’t go around bragging about it. I can barely get the video to work. The camera, however, is perfect for our photobooth. I usually have this mounted onto an Alien Bee ring light with a moon unit. The whole kit sits on a Manfrotto video pan head attached to a rock solid tripod. At f/8 with the kit lens attached, the D90 is the perfect photobooth camera. I probably wouldn’t want to shoot a ceremony at 1600 ISO with it, but it is a more than capable backup to my backup.

Nikon F 100 – I won’t lie, I’m a giant geek for film. While I don’t have the guts to shoot an entire wedding with it (unless I was going completely traditional), I often pull this bad boy out and blow off a roll between portraits or in addition to my digital photos. I love the killer black & white shots it produces and the fact that it works with all of my modern lenses. If I ever break down and build a dark room in my basement, the F100 is going to get a ton more use.

Lomography LC-A – When I’m truly feeling inspired I break out my Lomo. This is a fancy (and 35mm) version of the classic Holga. I’m sure I’m going to get a lot of heat from purists, but this is a really expensive point-and-shoot camera that takes photos similar to the plastic cameras sold by Urban Outfitters. The good thing about the Lomo is that you aren’t going to lose tons of money on rolls of film that were destroyed by light leaks. I love the fact that this camera slows me down and makes me think before I click on the shutter. I have to make sure that I’m the proper distance from the subject in order to focus properly, and the viewfinder is so small that I have to be really careful when I compose. I would kill for the chance to shoot an entire engagement session with my Lomo.

I’m sometimes asked why I include engagement sessions in all my packages. The answer is twofold: First, I love spending an afternoon with a couple, capturing the emotion and love between the two in a setting that doesn’t include a church or wedding hall. But, engagement sessions also give me the opportunity to get to know my clients better, see how they interact or hide from the camera, an it allows them get a feel for my personality. This type of relaxed portrait session eases everyone and makes taking the wedding day photos even more enjoyable.

Enter Larissa and Anthony. When I met, Larissa made it very clear that she didn’t want engagement photos. “We are so awkward in front of the camera,” she said during the consultation. “You realize that I hear that same comment from 75 percent of couples that walk through my door,” I laughed. After explaining the benefits of an e-session, the two agreed and we settled on a hilltop location overlooking the Iris Gardens in Montclair, NJ.

Allison and I lived in Montclair for close to seven years and never once did we stumble on this secluded area near Montclair State University, overlooking New York City. I huffed and puffed up the hill as Larissa and Anthony showed us all the places they like to hike to and presented us with this stunning view from the summit. Larissa and Anthony were a joy to photograph. Anthony has this uncanny ability to make Larissa laugh at almost anything, and the smile on both their faces through the session spoke volumes about the love the two share.

When it was over, Larissa thanked me for the engagement portraits and admitted that it wasn’t too painful. Feeling the burning sensation in my calves from hiking with camera gear all afternoon, I chuckled and told her that the only awkward one on this shoot was me. Here are my favorite photos from our session. Larissa and Anthony, I can’t wait to photograph your wedding in a few weeks.

I probably should have posted this before leaving the country, but I didn’t have a fun photo to go with it. Allison and I are in Costa Rica for a little bit of business and a couple of days of relaxation. I really thought this country was going to be a giant hippie commune, so we’ve been avoiding it when brainstorming vacation ideas; however, we couldn’t have been more wrong. Costa Rica is absolutely wonderful. Every meal is flawless, the people are friendly and helpful, and the land is so lush. We’ve spent the last few days locked up in a resort, so Allison is complaining about the lack of sloths and monkeys, but we plan on rectifying that with a trip to Manuel Antonio Natural Reserve to cap off our journey. By the way, zip lining is life changing.

Here’s a picture of some Brahma Bulls Cows. I’m sure you were expecting some landscapes or a photo of a crocodile or monkey, but this just seemed a bit more fun.

Do you want to see each other before the wedding?

I ask a ton of questions during the initial client consultation, but few  generate such mixed emotions as the decision to see each other before it’s time to walk down the aisle. According to a tradition, the bride is supposed to be in seclusion before the wedding in order to build anticipation, which somehow keeps the groom from getting cold feet (or something like that).

With so many couples living together before they get married that tradition has slowly waned. I get plenty of couples that want to have their portraits taken before the ceremony, but they also want to capture some of the magic involved in seeing each other in their wedding outfits for the very first time. In that case, I often suggest a First Look. The first look is when the couple see each other for a few minutes before the ceremony, without any friends and family hovering about. The first look can involve a kiss, a smile, a huge hug, and a lot of love. All that matters is that all the day’s stress is gone, and the couple can share a special moment.

Personally, I do not have a strong preference as to whether the couple see each other before the wedding or not. As long as I have enough time (usually about an hour) and the light is good, I’m perfectly happy to wait until after the ceremony to photograph formal portraits of the family and bridal party, and create romantic photos of the bride and groom. The first look is simply an option that should be considered, and I’m perfectly happy to set it up during your wedding. Here are some of my favorite first look photos from the past few years.

My final wedding of 2011 was at the lovely Glen Ridge Country Club, just a stones throw from our home in Bloomfield. Nicole and David were recommended to me by Nicole’s sister (one of my old colleagues in the newspaper business) and she was so excited to have me photograph her family. The only challenge was that the couple lives in Virginia and were trying to book a New Jersey wedding from afar. “Don’t worry,” I said. “That’s why they invented Skype.”

The wedding was a wonderful late-Fall affair. The weather was crisp, but warm enough for portraits, and the ceremony was conducted by the fireplace in the country club’s charming inner hall. The two shared their vows in front of the mayor of Glen Ridge and an audience for their closest family members. The reception was simple yet exquisite. Nicole and David chose to have a traditional sit-down dinner, and so as not to ignore the dozen or so children in attendance, the kids’ table took center stage. Balloon animals, board games, candy – the reception was a five-year-old’s dream come true.

We capped off the day with a portrait session on the golf course, dodging golf balls and carts. As the sunset on Glen Ridge, it was hard not to notice the love in the couple’s eyes as they kissed and giggled through my crazy portraits suggestions. Thank you, Nicole and David, for inviting me to document your wedding. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to an amazing wedding season.

VENDORS

Ceremony/Reception: Glen Ridge Country Club
Glen Ridge, NJ

Florist: A New Leaf
South Orange, NJ

Hair/Make-up: Bangz
Montclair, NJ

The problem is that 99% of people want the equivalent of a Sears portrait. A five minute snapshot that looks as bland and is completely uneventful to make. I have no interest in competing with Sears, and usually turn down portraits in which the family really don’t know what they want or I send them to fellow photographers that kickass at traditional portraits.

That’s not the case with The Opdenburg family. Every year, Shana calls me with an amazing idea for some elaborate Chinese New Year’s card. This year was the year of the Dragon so I suggested we do some kind of Chinese gangster theme, similar in style to one of my favorite bands, Notorious MSG. She obliged and we spent the next month building glass walls to do graffiti against, and hilarious Warriors-inspired outfits for the girls. The final product is an amazing set of family portraits that belong on the mantel right next to the Sears portraits.

Let me make it clear, if you want family portraits that look like the ones below, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail. I’d love to do them.

When you ask Steph about Michael, she says that he has the most caring heart and soul. She says that she never trusted anyone as much as she trusts him and she knows that no matter what, life will always be ok with him in her life.

We had an amazing time documenting their wedding in Keene, New Hampshire. This was our first trip to NH, and we were shocked by how courteous everyone is (cars actually stop at crosswalks) and the landscape was spectacular. The ceremony took place at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, a small building that was obviously converted to a Greek worship hall in recent years. The wedding was a traditional Hellenic affair, with an exchange of crowns and a candle-lit parade around the alter (albeit a bit cramped).

Pink light poured through the red stain glass, casting everything in a rose hue and creating a dazzling array of color in the stark (for a Greek church) white room. Stephanie was all smiles as she made her way down the aisle, hanging from her father’s arm. Michael held back the tears as the priest walked them through their vows and they exchanged rings. I always say that you can really tell when a couple is truly in love and Steph and Michael perfectly personify that statement.

“The world could be falling apart but he knows how to calm me and make me feel secure,” Steph told me after the wedding. “A few years back I had surgery and he took such great care of me. That was when I knew he was the one.”

Thank you so much for inviting us into your lives and letting us photograph your big day. We had a blast and wish you many years of happiness. Stin ygia mas.

Cake: Tastefully Wright
Wilton, NH

Music: Main Event DJ’s & Entertainment
Londonderry, NH

Reception/Catering: Keene Country Club
Keene, NH

Flowers: Naturally Elegant Designs
Keene, NH

Hair/Make-up: MJD & Company
Keene, NH

Their wedding reception was held at the beautiful Oakeside Mansion in my hometown of Bloomfield, NJ. The place is a mesmerizing manor built amidst a sea of gardens and greenery. I’ve been itching to photograph a wedding at the Oakeside ever since I moved around the corner last year, and the building was just as magnificent inside as it was from the street.

The reception was exactly as Alison had described. “We want the reception to feel like a party in an cool, old jazz club,” Alison told me when we met. Needless to say, Alison made it happen. Blue Soul with Herb Woodson on vocals nearly tore the tent down with their raw jazz stylings and guests, both young and not so young, danced the night away to tunes ranging from Miles Davis to the Rolling Stones. Barry and Alison toasted their family and friends with great music, terrific food, and plenty of love. Here’s to many years of happiness.

VENDORS

Cake/Catering: Frungillo Caterers
Mountain Lakes, NJ

Music: Blue Soul with Herb Woodson as the vocalist

Florist: The Garden Shop
Upper Montclair, NJ

Hair & Make-up: Edgar Anthoney Aspen Hair
Montclair, NJ

Wines and Spirits: Amanti Vino
Montclair, NJ