Rembrandt Inspires {PhaseOne Wedding Photography}

posted September 4, 2012 in Photographer Resources, Weddings

Touring the Rembrandt exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art reminded me of the importance of three things:

His lighting style stands the test of time. No fad, here. Most people have heard of it. There’s something to be said about a technique that has stood the test of time by a few hundreds years. It’s good to know that wedding photography today won’t be shunned in 50 years
He shared as much as he created in painting schools. Like, he had ‘followers.’ His creative school shaped his vision. This blog shapes mine. I’m a proponent of “Create. Share. Sustain.”
He created portraits of people favored in their best light. This concerns both painters and photographers alike. The human face responds best to certain types of light. Rembrandt’s trademark triangle of light on the cheek bone flatters the face, a reason it graces the covers of fashion magazines today. It just so happens north facing studios back in those days had not only cheaper rent, but softer light.

I applied these basic lessons into this wedding day portrait Lindsey & Matt in Chicago on last Saturday, as if Nigel Barker and Tim Gunn stood next to me, chanting ‘Make it work.’
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I wanted to create an image that tells an honest story of Lindsay’s beauty and Matt’s adoration for her since their engagement session in Colorado. I challenged myself to blend the dress, flowers, and landscape together with a painterly aesthetic ready to share with Vanity Fair and Annie Leibovitz. I love that medium format ‘look.’

Behind the scenes w/ my one light setup of the bridal party:
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