Wedding Destination: Glamis Castle

Posted by Olivier Lalin -

Five miles from Forfar, in the fertile valley of Strathmore, is the quaint village of Glamis.

Glamis is set in the rolling hills of Angus, approximately 20km from the North Sea, in an area of considerable ancient history. Whilst the village is home to a curious old stone, said to be a monument to King Malcolm II, and some attractive eighteenth-century cottages, its most notable attribute is the grandeur of Glamis Castle. The castle was the childhood home of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother.



The modern visitor approaching the Highland Castle for the first time cannot but draw breath in admiration as he journeys down the mile-long avenue rich in colour, flanked in spring by swathes of yellow and cream daffodils, or the colours in the rows of autumn trees.

Trying to keep warm in Jamaica right now and thinking about warmer days in Scotland to come.
Meanwhile here is a group Portrait with Bridesmaids of King George the 5th and Queen Mary's Wedding.

and a few Years later, a Mug shot of Prince Charles and Diana's Wedding -
What went wrong - Do love the british though!

Park Avenue Rocks !

Posted by Olivier Lalin -


Little note on Park avenue - as I have photographed quite a few weddings at location like the Waldork Astoria, The W Hotel or The Council on Foreign Relations. I love Park Avenue weddings. When Comes the time of formals,the wedding party gets together, I have the best of New York at our doorsteps. As i said in other posts, there are many ways to photograph formals. The style is often discussed beforehand with wedding planners. IT could be done any style though, it si all about your vision. The location is important, sure - but it is about YOU and the way the photographer interact with a group. As a matter of fact, any streets of New York is just a great backdrop for photos. Here are a few of Sarah and Marcy's wedding at The Council on Foreign Relations at 58 E. 68th St., on Park Ave - "bien sure" - Simply great Fun... The street is almost "empty" on weekend, left to wedding photographers to use and abuse of ...






And even MUCH later, as i was looking for images, I realized that there was a group of girls standing outside, drinking wine and smoking the Cigarette. That was too good to be true and i had to indulge in more fun before the party was over !



photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer



All Photographs taken by Olivier Lalin
view site at weddinglight.com

The Core !

Posted by Olivier Lalin

I read a post a few days ago from a well respected photographer from the west coast: Mike Colon. It was titled "tunnel vision" and he talked about perspective and priorities in one's life, in his own words.I really enjoyed reading it, probably because i could very well relate to what he had to say. Then, words from a Friend's wife came to my mind just now. They have beautiful twins and she talked about her daughters. She simply said "It is all happiness"- Well, all i can say about my career and my life is that it has only been happiness.I am very grateful. I feel blessed! I do - It hasn't been an all easy ride but i love my work. I am so glad I shoot weddings and am so much looking forward to photograph many more. For younger photographers, piece of advice may be : Love what you do first then share it with others. Take risk, forget everything you've learnt and try new things, experiment and most important learn from your mistakes... And let me tell you, wedding photography is great - Because i am a photographer and i am better with images then words...Just enjoy and be happy-






photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer
view site at weddinglight.com

A Greek Wedding, Washington D.C

Posted by olivier Lalin
Klea and Michael
As well as using medium format which i will discuss later on, i love using my panoramic Hasselblad Xpan camera. A few samples of Klea's wedding viewed on this page are shot with this panoramic camera. It takes film and i tend to use higher ASA triX pushed Film with it to enhance the grain. Digitals freaks will tell you they can do the same using digital and IT is simply not True. Furthermore, the format specifics allows the photographer to be even more creative when it comes down to Albums lay out and playing with sizes of images.
for technicals here is a link for the hasselblad XPAN


























photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer
view site at weddinglight.com

My wedding List and everyone else's

Posted by Olivier Lalin

Below is a List of "Must Take" Wedding Photographs that has just been forwarded to me by a Friend.
Now that i have finally started my blog! I do have a few friends who keep sending me wedding orientated info with the Good and The Bad and the Ugly.
i am going to share this one with you guys-

I do find it quite funny and there are tons of ready made list like this one on the internet!



And while we're at it - Do i need a list?
The answer is YES -small list though- with names of relatives and Friends that are going to be photographed during the "unformal Formals".
This way everything runs nice and gentle and Most important everyone ( photographer included ) have plenty of time to enjoy a glass of champagne or cocktail with family and old friends right after.
Most of the time, my wedding Planner would have the list, as portraits are taken, call people in and out and make sure that everyone is photographed while i concentrate on being Goofy then everyone is having a good time with the photographer, as well as getting some great family portraits.
In case you do not have a wedding planner, i would highly recommend one.
A close friend with a sense of humor and a talent for making herself / himself heard, in an all very smooth manner, would do just fine.
As to whether i could have a use for this other list below. The answer would be only in my blog to entertain you all.
The only other list I would have around would be my assistant equipment check list -
thanks to a very bad, although quite useful habit, i took on with Mr Ben years ago in my London days.



WITHOUT WASTING ANYMORE TIME HERE IT IS - THE LIST :
( For Beginners )
i left the intro paragraph as well

On your wedding day, you'll want to make sure your photographer captures those essential details you worked so hard on. To help him or her out, provide a list of "must-take" wedding photography shots. Check off your essentials below, and add any of your own creative ones. But don't check off too many – you'll want the photographer to have some time for creative license.
Wedding Photography Shots Before the Ceremony

___ Wedding dress lying over a chair
___ Zipping up or buttoning the wedding dress
___ Mother of the bride fastening the bride's necklace
___ The bride's garter
___ The bride's veil
___ A close up of the bride's shoes peeking out from under the dress
___ Bride looking into a mirror
___ Bride looking out window
___ Bride and bridesmaids putting on makeup
___ Bride pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Bride hugging parents
___ Bride touching up
___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony
___ Groom tying tie
___ Groom looking into mirror
___ Bride looking out window
___ Groom pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Groom hugging parents
___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony



Wedding Photography Shots At the Ceremony

___ Outside of ceremony site
___ Guests walking into ceremony site
___ Bride and father entering ceremony site
___ Parents being seated
___ Grandparents being seated
___ Maid of honor walking down the aisle
___ Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
___ Flower girl and ring bearer walking down aisle
___ Groom waiting for bride
___ Ceremony musicians
___ Officiant
___ Altar or canopy during ceremony
___ Close up of bride, just before she makes her entrance
___ Bride and father walking down aisle
___ Groom seeing bride for first time
___ The back of bride and father walking down the aisle – with the groom waiting in the distance
___ Bride's father and Bride hugging at end of aisle
___ Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view
___ The unity ceremony
___ Close up of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Wide shot of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Exchanging the rings
___ Close up of hands
___ The kiss
___ Bride & Groom walking up the aisle
___ Receiving line
___ Bride & Groom outside on steps
___ Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed
___ Bride & Groom hugging guests, laughing, getting congratulations
___ Bride & Groom getting in car
___ Bride & Groom in back seat



Posed Wedding Photography Before the Reception (These can also be taken before the ceremony)

___ Bride alone (full length)
___ Bride with Maid of Honor
___ Bride with bridesmaids
___ Groom with bridesmaids
___ Bride with parents
___ Bride & Groom together
___ Bride & Groom with parents
___ Bride & Groom with families
___ Bride & Groom with entire wedding party
___ Bride & Groom with flower girl and ringbearer
___ Groom with parents
___ Groom with best man
___ Groom with groomsmen
___ Bride with groomsmen



During the Reception (to help your photographer, you may wish to list these shots in the order they will happen at your reception)

___ Outside of reception site
___ Bride & Groom arriving
___ Bride & Groom greeting guests
___ Table centerpieces
___ Table setting
___ Bride & Groom's table (head table)
___ Musicians or DJ
___ Guest book
___ Place card table
___ Closeup of bride and groom's place card
___ Wedding cake
___ Groom's cake
___ Gift table
___ Decorations (specify which _________________________)
___ A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table
___ Bride with college alums
___ Groom with college alums
___ The buffet or, if having table service, a dinner serving
___ Bride & Groom's first dance
___ Bride & Father dancing
___ Groom & Mother dancing
___ Guests dancing
___ Bride & Groom cutting the cake
___ Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
___ Toasts (specify who is giving them: ____________________)
___ Bride & Groom drinking champagne
___ Signing the marriage license
___ Bride throwing bouquet
___ Groom retrieving garter
___ Groom tossing garter
___ Garter/Bouquet dance
___ The getaway car
___ Bride & Groom leaving party
___ Bride & Groom driving away



Guests the photographer shouldn't miss: (provide your photographer with a seating chart so that he can easily identify them)
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________


IF I WERE A BRIDE I WOULD RUN AWAY FROM MY WEDDING RIGHT NOW_-
OR get some high end professionals to do the job for you while you have another sip of this wonderful champagne !

www.weddinglight.com



photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer
view site at weddinglight.com