Hello my loves, I hope this premier blog post of the week finds you well and rested after your weekend. As I'm away this week, the blog will be a much lighter version than usual - we all deserve a holiday, right? But check in daily for content we have a week's worth scheduled for your enjoyment.
Now, I've a bit to share with you about this exquisite photoshoot that features dress designer Minna Hepburn - she of those beautiful, bohemian, vintage inspired wedding dresses that I adore - that is her below in with her horse Milly...
Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Marianne Taylor
But before I share some words from Minna, I wanted to focus on the work of Marianne Taylor, the photographer behind these images.
Marianne used her skills as a Beloved photographer to obtain these images. For the uninitiated, Beloved is a concept that was pioneered by photographer Jesh de Rox - I have written about it previously here, but essentially, it involves a photographer working with a couple to document their love and interaction between one another in the most authentic way possible. Jesh has trained many photographers in this technique, including Marianne Taylor {you can see another beautiful example of one of Marianne's beloved photoshoots on Love My Derss here - it features my favourite hair stylist in the world}...
I asked Marianne about this particular shoot and about her adoration of the Beloved concept of shooting...
"Firstly, I should probably make the distinction between the two ways the term Beloved is used. Firstly, Beloved is a way of directing your subjects, which is based on drawing the couple into an experience. So instead of concentrating on the photographer, the couple is concentrating on each other, and through small exercises (in beloved terms, invites) they are invited into authentic interaction with each other. This results in beautiful images of real emotion, and is completely separate from the photographers style or even posing, which photographers might do before giving an invite.
Personally I was always strongly drawn to getting to that authentic emotion in my pictures, and Beloved gave me practical tools to getting there faster, while providing my subjects with more meaningful experience than just posing for pictures normally would. I use this approach in all my work, from engagement sessions to weddings, where shooting the portraits in a beloved way is a natural extension of a photo-journalistic way of capturing the rest of the day..."
"Secondly, dedicated Beloved sessions are generally designed for people who have been together for a little bit longer, they make for a brilliant anniversary experience, and a lot of couples want to do a session every couple of years to rekindle their relationship.
Beloved sessions can feel a lot more deeper than, say, engagement sessions, as there is generally more memories between the couple to draw from. In a way, Beloved is a chance to tell the ones we love how much they matter to us and to remember what should never be forgotten..."
"For this approach to work, photographers need to have a clear understanding of how much is down to themselves and their understanding of the process, it is not necessarily a fail safe way to authentic images, as so much depends on your own self awareness. Our job is to create a safe place for our subjects to be able to show their true selves, and a lot of the success depends on how we give the invites and our ability to read a situation.
But once you are comfortable in the way you conduct a session, this way of shooting feels so much more rewarding than just posing people and asking them to smile, that it takes your job satisfaction to a whole different level..."
"The Beloved experience is very rewarding for couples who are open to it, and the beloved way of shooting can be a lot more enjoyable and easier approach for those who feel awkward in front of a camera, as they tend to forget the camera is even there.
When I had the idea for the shoot my main aim was to see whether I could combine a styled shoot with shooting in a beloved style. I often get asked to do styled or editorial shoots, but since my passion lies in getting to take pictures of authentic interaction between couples, I don't often get excited about the prospect of shooting models who don't know each other. That's why I asked Minna if she was interested in trying this out with her husband and a small team, just to see if it would work.
I think it did work, beautifully..."
And what for the delightful Minna Hepburn, how did she find the experience - and what did she choose to wear!?
"I loved the opportunity to work with Marianne. Our wedding photos from nine years ago where a total disaster and we do not have any proper pictures documenting our big day. This shoot was an opportunity in some ways to “renew our wows” and wear my favourite dresses! Not bad!
I loved Marianne’s way of directing the shoot. Time just disappeared and I felt it was just me and my husband. We laughed and talked and just focused on each other. Total bliss!
I
decided to wear my favourite dresses for the shoot. These are the
dresses that really summarises our brand; easy to wear and feminine
dresses, perfect to dance a night away..."
"Jasmine is from my first collection and I have worn it to so many parties. When I cannot decide what to wear, I always go for the Jasmine dress. It would be my ultimate dress for laid back country wedding and this would be the dress to renew my wows. I have so many fun memories wearing it!
Laetitia dress was inspired by an old antique dress I found from a local flea market. It is such a show stopping dress and we have now decided to add it into our black collection. It is head to toe lace with asymmetric hemline. I would wear it to a grand city wedding and team it up with our Kate veil for a perfect vintage look!"
I'd like to thank both Marianne and Minna for allowing me to share these beautiful photographs.
If you would like to enquire about a Beloved photoshoot with Marianne Taylor, please enquire via Marianne's website - Marianne can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. Those interested in exploring more about the Beloved concept might want to know about the Beloved Collective Festival taking place in California in September, where Marianne will be presenting as guest speaker.
And I thoroughly encourage you to exploit all shopping opportunities over at Minna - I LOVE her. Minna can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Whose lusting after a beautiful frock and set of elegant and romantic images right now?
Have a lovely day everyone,
Annabel
From now until Monday 3rd September 2012, Love My Dress will deliver a lighter, but just as beautiful set of content - whilst Summer breaks are taken. Thank you so much for your patience during this time.
