Magazine Worthy
Each year, we comb through our wedding galleries to select the “Best of the Best.” We refer to this as a list of photos that are exceptional – magazine worthy, as we say. We are looking for a special photo that has some unusual attribute that separates it among all of the others. This is a way to honor the professional photographers that come and capture our couples’ special day, yes, but can also showcase their creativity and talent. The photos that we have selected are ones that we could easily imagine being in a magazine promoting anything from wedding dresses, to perfume, to event insurance, and more. The picture has enough of a wow factor that it could be selected as an amazing photo beyond us liking it. Part I of this blog will showcase, in no particular order, the first thirteen. Our top three photos will be released beginning this weekend. There are three voters in this process (Jill, Laura, and myself) in order to get some sort of consensus, but it nothing short of agonizing to do this process each year. We our blessed with many beautiful couples, many talented photographers, and a plethora of many photographic places to take photos. It is challenging enough to narrow down the list, so we don’t debate the order of the first bunch of photos released and concentrate on names the top three. For this blog, let me showcase all of the rest with a bit of commentary on what stands out for us in this selection.
First up by Ali McGary Photography is a perfect example of how amazing all of these runner up photos are though they didn’t make the top three. This photo has all of the elements that contribute to a wow photo; location, beautiful couple always helps, stunning veil and dress, but most importantly great backlighting that helps these “under the veil” photos to look romantic and not forced.
Next is a beautiful photo from Our Ampersand Photography that also has these same elements too. The photographer took about a dozen photos in the same location. This particular one hit the jackpot again with the backlighting effect and a great pose as well. It sure seems as though each leaf on the trees and each hay stalk strand is highlighted.
Third photo is by Madie Ice Photography. We rarely choose a black and white photo for our Best of selections partly because the farm is full of color that when we can choose a colored photo of the same shot over a black and white, we do. This is a rare exception and think the black and white version just has a more artistic version of the shot.
Honeyroot Photo and Film seems to always have a photo in our Best of series each year and this is true this year as well. The garden flowers are a common location for bride and groom photos and this one hits the mark. The realism of the greenhouse in the backdrop gives this angle some extra grit to what was already a great angled photo.
A newcomer to the farm, Diego Photography from Atlanta, captured a beautiful night-time photo which is difficult to do. Our honeymoon cottage treehouse is a favorite here on the farm, but the sweet ambiance of newlyweds and their approach to their suite is just unique.
Next by C C Photography is call being in the right place at the right time. Our Lookout Mountain has amazing sunset photos but to be positioned at the right time where the sun is only beginning to hide behind the mountain is lucky and knowing to run capture it when it’s there. The fall foliage certainly helps as well.
Coral Dove Studio took this photo of the bride prior to the ceremony. Like all of these photos, many elements came together to make this one special; the gentle wind blowing her veil, the very long train of her dress, a stunning bouquet, the leaves in the foreground, and the pose of the bride as she looks ready and determined to begin the celebration.
Next from Y Studio is another garden photo. So much detail in this photo from the various colors and textures, both from the various garden florals but also with the lace of her stunning wedding dress and with her bouquet. Added bonus is the sweet kiss of the group and the bride’s gaze towards the camera.
Kate Shumaker produced this gem. Again, the backlighting is amazing and why timing of your wedding (and thus the timing of Golden Hour photos) is important. That said, this photo takes on an extra special vibe because of the horses in the backdrop. Since the horses are just there, it is actually pretty difficult to get a perfect photo of the couple PLUS the horses as the same time. Either the horses have their backside at the camera or the angle voids their asset to the shot. This picture, one of many, got everything all in one! Love, love the way the bride and groom seem to have halos due to the setting sun’s backlighting effect.
Adventures with the Lamberts produced this romantic shot – one would say a bit steamy! The location of this picture is at our Milkhouse. The red door helps to give a pop of color to the bride’s white dress and the ivy draped building gives a fairytale vibe but the bride and groom take the cake. Their pose is perfect
With three more to go, Hylander Photography, again took advantage of being in the right place at the right time. There are only a few weeks in the year that the red clover in the hayfield blooms, so fate was on their side unbeknownst to them. The clouds were performing also that day which adds a stunning effect to those mountain/sunset photos. The couples pose was perfect too; his hand gently on her chin as they look adoringly into each other’s eyes. This will make a great website photo.
Thistle and Wood Photography also got lucky with the clover field. Another great asset was to have a brave bride and groom who were willing to lay “in” the clover in order to capture a perfect shot.
Finally, Y Studio again, got a photo in the line-up; their second one! This is another one where the location and couple would’ve made a wonderful pose here in the field but to have the horse in the backdrop adds a bit of zing to the composition of this photo, don’t you think?
So, which of these are your favorites? See why I say that there are so many to choose from and how could we pick our favorites? I wish we could’ve selected another dozen in our countdown but alas, it is not meant to be. Three more to go – our top three remain to be revealed in Instagram/Facebook over the next few days and a blog to follow. Stay tuned and please – leave a comment. ~Margie