As I get ready to go the SWPP convention 2009 I was reminiscing over last year’s all day seminar with Doug Gordon and learning about his flow posing system. Anyone going to that this year will be in for a treat as Doug shows you how to pose people, how to use a system that is repeatable to wedding clients will get pictures similar to the ones they’ve seen and booked you for. And last but not least how using a tripod and be actually faster than hand holding a camera!
This completely revolutionized the way I carried out wedding photography last year. That combined with the four day intensive wedding course in Spain with Martin Graham-Dunn.
Doug’s course convinced me to use a tripod and the benefits of working to a system. He has devised a powerful system that enables the photographer to accurately recreate many images over and over. However these do not all look posed – many are designed to look natural and taken in a photojournalist style.
Martin’s course a few months later added to this with emphasis and advanced skills in composition, lighting, posing. Martin Grahame-Dunn is the Director of Training at Illuminatus the International Academy of Photography….
…combining these skills this year has sky rocketed my wedding photography.
I thought I’d share a few pictures of these guys in action with you before I call it a night and relax for a bit.
Here is Doug in action:
Leaving the camera on the tripod liberates the photographer.
With the Bride & Groom posed, just a little light from the reflector is all that is required from a helper (Bestman or Bridesmaid)
Doug shows how to seat the Bride pulling out the dress - must admit I never tried this one last year 
And finally introducing the Groom with his Bride.
And here is Martin in action:
Martin demonstrates how to build formal groups using the guys on the course.
Martin demonstrates posing the Bride & Groom behind the Bull Ring. It was an overcast day and the lighting seen here is provided by a large reflector!
Martin adviced we should normally seek complete shelter from speckled sun-light. However this was to demonstrate a Trash The Dress scenario and this time we were looking for drama created by the direct sun light. Note that Doug's posing earlier is very similar because quality posing is nothing new.
More action from the wedding workout in Spain.
SWPP convention 2009
Yes I finally got on topic with this years convention! It was thinking about the fact that I wanted to visit Doug Gordon’s stand in the trade show that made me think of last year’s training. I am considering some more wedding photography aids from Doug Gordon to build upon the system and repertoire for my weddings this year.
Tomorrows seminar promises to be just as exciting and inspirational as the last year’s training. However this time I am concentrating on the boudoir photography side of my business with some equally world leading photographers in their fields.
First off is Faye and Trevor Yerbury who run a highly successful wedding and boudoir business based in Edinburgh speaking on boudoir photography. Then there is Damien McGillicuddy who won “Glamour photographer of the year 2008″ speaking on Glamour. This promises to be very exciting finding out how similar or different their styles are. With the trends in Boudoir pushing ever more towards tasteful glamour and becoming more daring, one could imagine these two genres are not a million miles apart!
Pat Bloomfield is your photographer / artist. Years of experience and craftsmanship goes into every portrait he creates for you.
Imke Bloomfield is your make-up artist. A keen make-up practitioner trained by professional artists; she has a great flare for creating beautiful make-up especially for you.