While we tend to become all but invisible to our clients and their friends (through our magical photo skills– just kidding, we're just very sneaky), sometimes the very smallest members of the wedding party will become fascinated with our jobs. Occasionally this means that the child will become overly posey, grinning cheesily for every shot, but usually it means quite the opposite. Because no one is demanding that she smile, she doesn't. Her look of hesitant wonder is so innocent and pure, and surely captures more of her personality than a directed pose or fake grin. Documentary photography of young children can be especially fascinating if no one has told them that they must smile, so we encourage parents to take photographs of their children allowing them to make whatever faces they would like to make. (Hiring a professional or investing in an excellent camera and lessons can make capturing fleeting natural smiles much, much easier.)
This image was captured moments before the ceremony began, as evidenced by the bridesmaid still lighting a couple of stray lanterns. The light, fluffy dresses of tulle contrast with the stark cement flooring, and the color palette of mostly light colors is set off brilliantly by the dark greenery behind the subjects.
Location: Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, West Palm Beach, Florida.
1/800; f/2.0; ISO 400; 35.0 mm.