Yesterday, I shot a wedding for the first time in a couple of years. While I usually don't do them -- and really hate to do them -- they represent one of the most recession-proof areas of professional photography so when this gig came along, I accepted reluctantly but resolutely.
As James and other wedding photographers will tell you, the key to shooting weddings is to expect anything and be prepared to shoot everything. This wedding was scheduled for 6 pm in Orlando, outdoors on the patio of the Radisson Orlando, in a Gazebo. Dusk. By the time the bride actually came down the isle, it was 7 pm. Night. Dark. Very dark!! Here's a shot of the gazebo at 6 when the wedding was supposed to start and again at 6:30. That spot in the sky is the moon.
During the planning for the wedding, the bride and groom -- Lourdos and Danny -- expressed their wish that their 9-month-old son could be part of the ceremony. So, after some discussion, we suggested that Rowdy would be delighted to pull the baby down the isle in a cart and the baby could wear the rings on a ribbon around his neck. They loved the idea! At the rehearsal on Friday, Rowdy met all the folks in the wedding party and we got to address any of their concerns about a Rottie boy with the children. Everyone was delighted that he was going to be part of the ceremony -- especially Rowdy who saw this as a great opportunity for hugs, kisses and more than a few treats.
When we arrived yesterday, we unloaded Rowdy and the cart and started decorating both on the Pool Deck. Here's a shot of Rowdy & his cart prior to the ceremony.
While we were decorating the cart, several people staying at the resort came over to meet Rowdy and give him hugs. Rowdy was in doggy heaven!
Once the ceremony started, Rowdy was escorted down the isle by his good friend, 17-year-old Melanie Leon, and the baby was held by his 6-year-old Uncle, Isiah.
The minister was mercifully quick and it wasn't long before we were taking formals in front of a small waterfall near the pool area. Here's a shot of Rowdy with the bride and the children who were part of the wedding party.
And, finally, a picture of Rowdy with his new best friend, Gabriella. When Gabriella first met Rowdy, she was afraid of him. By the time the evening was over -- at midnight -- she was laying on the floor with her arms around Rowdy's neck. Rowdy was snoring
but he was also smiling.
These images are straight out of the camera with minimum PP so I apologize if they are a bit dark but I wanted to share Rowdy's retirement career with you. We're thinking of renting him out for weddings. He'll work for a chicken dinner and a few hugs.
Enjoy,
Jim
).
. The photographer that was shooting the earlier wedding came by with his entourage and put his hand on my shoulder and said "boy, I'm glad it's you and not me shooting this one." A glutton indeed!
