Trash the Dress : Workshop
Wikipedia describes trash the dress as:
“Trash the dress, also known as fearless bridal or rock the frock, is a style of wedding photography that contrasts elegant clothing with an environment in which it is out of place. It is generally shot in the style of fashion and glamour photography. Usually brides decide to have pictures taken on a beach, but other locations include city streets, rooftops, garbage dumps, fields, and abandoned buildings. “
“Trash the Dress” was started by Las Vegas photographer John Michael Cooper. At the time.. he called it, Anti-Bridal. Something different from the elegant, formal portraits everyone was seeing.
This is the shot that started everything:
Now: Don’t get freaked out!! Not all ‘Trash the Dress’ shoots are this extreme. As the wiki entry said.. most shots are on a beach, frolicking in the surf. You might get it a little wet ( or a lot a wet), and a little dirty. 95% of dresses, are in ‘just-as-new’ shape after a quick dryclean session. It just depends on how far you want to take this.
On Sunday, I registered for a Trash the Dress workshop with a local photographer Kyle Perison. Kyle’s style is amazing! Definitely not my own, but amazing none-the-less. Couples come to him just to trash the dress. That is what he is known for locally. He is uber-creative, and has the coolest vision.
But enough gushing.
We met at ‘The Wedding Cafe’ , and Kyle gave us an in-depth look at his vision. How he creates an ‘Extreme Bridal Portrait’ as he calls them. ( Trash the dress kinda scares some people off). We got to see his brainstorming session for a new idea, how he implements them, and even his post-processing.
He brought along a wonderful model ( Thanks Carolyn- you rocked it! ) If I learned anything.. it’s that I have to get a handle on Photoshop. hehe Currently, I open the darn thing, freak out at all the buttons and just close it again.
Seriously though, the thing that hit me most was: Capture vs. Create On a wedding day, you are hired to capture the bride and grooms vision. This is not about you. You are the photojournalist, the paparazzi. On a trash the dress shoot. You are in control, you are able to Create your vision. You are an artist, a visionary.
The thought intrigues me… although I could never BURN a dress, or a-la Kyle, throw buckets of paint at a Bride. But, frolicking in the surf… climbing some trees, getting a little dirty. Or even standing in a dingy alley.. Now that I think I could ROCK!
Who’s with me?
Ellie: Newborn
While visiting my sister, I offered to take some pictures of family friends Aubree and Troy’s little bundle Ellie.
Ellie was around 6 weeks old at the time… and boy was she a handful! lol Aubree and Ellie were such a troopers! We would shoot for a while, stop, feed, sleep, shoot a bit, cry.. and then start the whole process all over again.
It definitely opened my eyes to a different side of newborn photography hehe. But, the end result was completely worth it, and seeing as we were all women, that was all that mattered! A little pain.. for the gain!
On a personal note: I love newborn photography! Even the crying.. I loved every minute of it! A tiny little bundle, a precious little human being! They’re soooo small, and fragile, and perfect! and No I don’t want one of my own lol, but this is how I get my fix.
Creative Live Workshop: Jasmine Star
I have had my butt planted in front of my computer screen for the last 4 days. All day! Every day! I’ts getting sore.. but I’m loving every minute of it! lol
Let me explain: Jasmine Star, a wedding photographer who I adore, agreed to shoot a wedding and have an online course on how she does things. It’s a 5 day workshop, with questions and answers… and she shot a LIVE wedding! how insane is that! A couple actually volunteered to have their special day.. filmed.. photographed, and streamed on the world-wide web! INSANE!
Chase Jarvis from Creative Live, is the mastermind behind this idea. CreativeLive is a website which offers free advice (in the form of streaming video) to artists… wether it be wedding photography ( Go Jasmine :) ) How to use Photoshop, or even how to paint watercolor.
It’s all up to you, what you watch, and it’s all free. so thanks Chase. :) This was amazing! There were people watching this stream from all over the world, Denmark, Trinidad and Tobago, someone even mentioned they were up at 3 am watching from Brazil! Crazy! It’s amazing the freedom that technology gives us!
I learned sooo much from this last 4 days. All of the little tips and tricks were a godsend. and I know everyone does things differently… but if I can become even half as good as her. I’ll be happy
Here’s a list of things she said that inspired me over the last few days, or at least things I want to be reminded of on this journey:
- “Your website is your handshake and your blog is your voice.” she means that your website should be you, the professional.. you’re blog, should be you the person. Let people get to know, and like you for you, not just your photography.
- “Take the Ghetto out and shoot the fabulous!” – when shooting a crappy location
- “The tongs cheapen the pictures” Remove Remove Remove, if it doesn’t add to the shot, remove
- “Take 5 seconds out of your time to move things. Remove. Always.” – when setting up a shot
- tell a story in a photo, not everything needs to be cropped - get a shot of the brides feet, with her purse and shoes.. get the dress in the back.
- “You can rent a camera, you can borrow your sisters computer, but you cannot rent or borrow your brand.” – your brand is everything
- “I’m a photographer. Not a Lightroom or Photoshop expert.” I out-source my life because I want a life.
- “You’re either connecting or repelling.” – getting clients, you want people to like you , or dislike you, you want them to feel something, the worst thing is indifference
- “Nobody ever sees life in flash.” – on using flash
- Say yes to all of the clients request, this is their day. You are a guest. Make their day!
- “Brides are booking out of emotion.”
- “It is OK to be absolutely breath-taking and feel beautiful.” give the bride permission to feel beautiful, in today’s society.. that is hard. “Make it fun, fresh, and fierce.”
- “Know your style, get your clients posing to the image you want, and use those images on blog to pitch your style!”
- “It’s not their fault that you put them in that dumb pose.” – speaking about posing, Dont let them know it’s not working, shoot a couple frames and move on, otherwise the couple will get nervous about their performance
- “Make him look cool. Make her beautiful, and everyone is happy.”
- “You have to give them an action to move into that.” Walk up to him and swing your arm around him like you’re seeing an old friend from summer camp
- If you’re stuck, you just need to take a step back and take a look at the situation.
- “When you talk behind your camera, you keep the client engaged.” They will be more comfortable
- “You have to show them what they don’t know they want.” speaking about *the first look*
- If it’s special to them, I want to photograph it
- Anything that makes the wedding unique, that’s what I will be photographing.”
- “We make images of emotional moments people (would normally) forget.”
- Same day slide shows are a way for the client to see my pictures first! I want them to see my professional pictures before Uncle Bobs. “Yours probably is better but it’s not new.”
- “If you want something to grow, you want to start the conversation early on.” – about slide shows
- “It’s my job as an artist to choose the strongest picture”
- Shoot for the client, but also take pictures for yourself, pictures that you know the bride might not necessarily like, but something that drives you.
- shoot the name cards, every magazine will publish the name cards
- turn your subject to face the light, people naturally face away from the light and then you have a blown out back because you’re metering for the face
- “When you wake up for the rest of your life and could choose every day what to do, what would it be?”
- “I’d rather see you fail at something you love than to succeed at something you hate.”
Top 10 words of advice for a second shooter.
1. Leave your Ego at the Door
2. NEVER PASS OUT YOUR BUSINESS CARD
3. Find New Angles – there’s no point getting the same picture as the main photog, that’s not why you’re hired
4. Smile
5. Get Water – the main photog will appreciate this!
6. Offer to Carry Bags – you are there to make the main photogs life easier. you don’t have to carry bags, just offer! the thought is appreciated
7. Taking Care of Vendors – help move things, put things away, ppl remember this, and you will probably work with them again in the future
8. Gather the Family
9. Same Day Slideshow – find a place for the photog to create it, and to display it.
10. Dress Appropriately
One of the bigger things she discussed, is finding your own style: “What are the three words that describe you, and you’re style?”
“Are those three words describing you now? Or are those words describing what you want to be? If it’s the latter, you need to take a step back.”
I think I still need to figure this out! but that’s a whole other ball game!
Catherine + Lucasz = Wedding
Catherine and Lucasz are such an adorable couple. They spent the entire day laughing, and giggling.. and whispering to each other… we were just outsiders looking in. The day was perfect, warm, not hot. Slightly cloudy, not harsh glaring light. A beautiful couple, completely in love.
Catherine is such a stunning bride, with an amazing sense of style! :) She wore the most beautiful, elegant Pronovias wedding gown. With a 9 foot train! 9 feet! It was ah-mazing! And all of the details… I swooned! She even had a beautiful handmade feather headpiece from Oh Dina!
At the wedding, Catherine shared the story of how she met Lucasz, and it was too good not to share. :) Apparently the two met on a pub crawl during their university days. While on the bus, the driver told everyone to take their seats. Catherine looked to the front of the bus and stated that her seat was taken. Ever the gentleman, Lucasz offered that she sit on his lap for the rest of the way. ( Way to be safe Lucasz)
Only, Catherine told the wedding guests… she lied to Lucasz that day.. her seat was EMPTY.
(smooth Catherine! )
The couple got married at a beautifully rundown, tiny church on the Indian reserve, and moved to the Summerland Resort for the dinner and Reception. The whole day was beautiful, elegant, and sophisticated.. and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even the hour-long Roman Catholic Wedding! :D
On a side note: I have to give a shout out to Jen Sander again. This woman is amazing! Thank you again for letting me assist!
Renee + Lance = Wedding
Renee and Lance said their “I Do’s” on a scorcher of a day. August 14th in Summerland, Bc was a hot one. Renee was even carrying around a little portable fan. :)
yet again, the wonderful Jenifer Sander of Jenifer Sander Photography allowed me to tag along. That woman.. is amazing! I find the most helpful thing as a second shooter, is seeing the set up of the shot.. and then comparing my angle or “take” vs. hers.
Lance and Renee were such an easy-going couple, which made the day soo much more enjoyable. They let Jen choose where and when and for how long to take pictures for.. and as always, Jen did not disappoint when it came to location.
She has us scaling a mountain! Literally!!! and of course she was the only one who came prepared. The poor bridesmaids and their high heels is all I have to say :P
Miranda + Chris = Wedding
Brian’s cousin Miranda said “I do”, to the love of her life, Chris, on July 17th at Harrison Hot Springs Resort.
Miranda had already booked a wedding photographer when she found out that I’ve been dabbling in that world as well, so she invited me to take a few pics, on the sidelines. I was completely honored, and didn’t mind at all that I wouldn’t be getting the normally “fun” pictures of the couple and the bridal party. I had my hands full with the men getting ready… and the DECOR. And oh… the decor!
Mir and I have the exact same taste in materials.. colors.. flowers etc. It was like I stepped into the dream of my own wedding.. and I just got to soak it all in :)
Chris and Miranda, you two are amazing together, thank you for inviting Brian and I to spend your special day with you :)
Doesn’t she look stunning!!??!!
Mir and Chris decided to light floating orbs down by the beach. It was a bit of trial and error until we found out how to get these things going properly, but they did manage to light about 10 and get them off the ground.
It was beautiful to watch.. all these lanterns floating out across the beach and into the night sky.
( and don’t worry, they’re environmentally safe.. they burn up) :P 
Sophia Lyne : Newborn
Sophia Lyne, my niece was born a week late, and graced this earth on my birthday :D Which makes her that much cooler! My sister named her after me just for that reason! :D
All I have to say… is look at that mop of hair! She’s definently related to me! :D
Liane + Cole = Love
Liane and Cole are co-workers of mine… they’ve been dating for about 2 years and are the cutest / most gorgeous couple you’ve ever met! Jen and I coerced them to come to the beach with us so we could play paparazzi. :D
They’re so good-looking that it wasn’t hard to get good pictures of them, and after a while even Cole was comfortable in front of the camera ( or that might have been the beer he had earlier hehe ).
see what I mean about GORG-eous??!!!?
love that look in her eyes *sparkle* sparkle*
that’s the look of love! :D
Camille : Maternity
Camille is an old friend from school, who contacted me through Facebook. Her boyfriend Chad and her are expecting a little baby girl anytime now, and I feel honored to have been chosen to take their maternity shots :)
I made the winding car ride to Penticton late last month, and Camille totally took me in, she cooked me dinner and we chatted about “the old times”. Chad was stuck working late, so Camille and I started without him. We had such a blast and it was great reconnecting with an old friend :)
Ashleigh + Matt = Wedding
Ashleigh and Matt celebrated their nuptials at the beautiful Haney Heritage Park in Salmon Arm, BC. The museum/park is located on 40 acres of pure splendor! There were so many amazing locations to shoot at I was giddy with excitement. The church, a museum.. even a school.
Ashleigh’s grandmother actually taught at this school back in the 70′s which made it all the more memorable for her. That, of course, meant that we had to get pictures inside the school :D
I have to give a shout out to Kyla Krisa of Kay Photos, for allowing me to come along as a second shooter. She was so relaxed that she completely put me at ease. I had so much fun, and would love to do it again *hint hint* ;)
Thanks to Ashleigh and Matt for allowing me to spend the day with them, I wish you nothing but the best in the future. :D
Jennifer : Portrait
I set up a photography meetup in spring for a bunch of up and coming photogs in the area, and Jen graciously volunteered to model for us. She’s recently been bitten by the photography bug as well, and wanted to come along for the experience.
There was 5 of us in total, Willow ( Willow Christine Photography), who is my usual partner in crime :D , Jeff Preston Photog, Robyn, and I. And of course Jen, who was a phenomenal model. She came completely over-prepared, bringing at least 6 different outfits, and she didn’t bat an eyelash at any of our strange requests.
Courtney : Maternity
Jennifer of JH Photography, called me up last spring and said ” I’ll let you tag along on a shoot, if you help me figure out my camera” of course I said ” DONE! when’s the shoot!” :D
This is the first Maternity shoot I’ve done, and I have to say it was a bit of a challenge. But.. I love a good challenge! We had poor Courtney sitting in her backyard semi clothed.. on a pretty chilly day. lol
But it was all worth it. :D
Courtney.. you were a true trooper! Thank you so much for inviting us to spend the day with you!
Shannon + Keith = Wedding
Shannon and Keith are so in love. And it shows. Little smiles, whispers, and the occasional loud laugh made you want to know what they were talking about.
They got married on May 29th at the beautiful Benvoulin Heritage Church in Kelowna., and yet again the wonderful Jen Sander of Jenifer Sander Photography invited me to tag along. Which of course I gladly did! ( I was actually so excited I went to the church the night before.. and was told.. “Sorry, that wedding isn’t until tomorrow” hehe )
Keith was such a trooper, as he HATES getting his picture taken… but.. the new groom has learned early. Always let your wife have her way. hehe kidding, kidding. ;)
Honestly though, Keith did it all for Shannon, we got through it as quickly as possible and let them head to the reception for a night of partying! :D
Jessica + Mark = Wedding
Jessica and Mark got married on rainy rainy Thursday in May. The weatherman had predicted a 95% chance of thunder showers… but, luckily for us.. the sun shined just long enough to photograph these beautiful memories. :)
The two got married at the beautiful Nk’Mip Cellars winery in Osoyoos, which is the site of Canada’s only desert. This place was absolutely gorgeous, and I could have spent all day taking pictures of them.
* I do need to take minute to thank Jenifer, of Jenifer Sander Photography, for allowing me to tag along as a second shooter. This was my first ever wedding, and I was SOOO nervous. But Jen made things easy! She was soo relaxed, and easy going, and she completely put me at ease. So thank you Jen :D
Jess and Mark decided to do a first look, which means they decided to see each other before the ceremony, and take pictures then, getting it out of the way.. and then enjoying the rest of their day. Jenifer and I couldn’t be happier about this, as it meant all the time in the world for photos. :D
Janina : Portrait
Janina is Fraser’s girlfriend, they’ve been dating for about 3 years now, and when I first met Janina… I knew we would click right from the start. She is such an upbeat genuinely sweet girl!
Janina was nice enough to pose for me last summer, when all my other friends and family was running away from me screaming “no more, no more”. Let’s just say they’re sick of seeing me with my camera in hand, hehe
We went to Ben Lee Skate Park in Kelowna, because Janina wanted something a little more edgy. We found this great wall of graffitti and just went from there :)
Thank you Janina.. for making this day easy, you were a joy to work with. And the pictures turned out AH-mazing! :D
test test
Hello Internet world…. anyone listening?
So my friend Fraser bought me a webpage for my birthday… over a month ago *cringe*
For all my talk… I’m really not very techno savvy. I own a cell phone.. but don’t text, bbm etc…. I barely remember to bring it with me when I leave the house lol
I don’t have/ understand twitter.
and when I opened up this blog for the first time… I looked at all the buttons.. and just went ahead and closed it again. hehe
So when Fras finally has a free moment to teach me how to use this thing… I went pedal to the metal.
4 pages later… this is my first official blog post.
Expect a lot more from me in the next few days : D
