Destination Wedding Photographer New York

It is always a treat to photograph a wedding in a location that I’ve never shot at before.

In 2011 I traveled to the Dominican Republic and photographed a wedding side by side with my husband - something we had never done before and haven’t done since! The bride and groom commissioned both of us to document their day and it was a wonderful wedding from start to finish.

On the sweeping grounds of that property was an infinity pool that appeared to vanish into the dramatic Dominican Republic sunset. I asked the bride and groom if they’d mind pausing by the pool for a portrait.

In order to get the correct perspective to make the photograph look the way I wanted it to I knew that I would have to get down as close to the water’s level as possible. I chose to photograph the scene with my 24-70mm as wide as possible in order to make the bride and groom look small and the space around them look vast.

I instructed the couple to simply walk right to left on the size of the infinity pool. I always think that pictures of people pretending to walk look fake and uncomfortable so if I need action in my photographs I want my clients to actually be doing something active!

While watching the bride and groom walk from side to side I studied their bodies’ movements so that I would know exactly when to click the shutter. I wanted grace and fluidity in their arms and legs as well as a natural expression on their faces. I also wanted to wait until they were in the middle of the frame so that they would be the central focal point of the image.

I don't often put my subjects in the exact center of the frame but I chose to do so in this photograph because I felt that it added an impact to the composition. With the warmth and the drama of the sky above them reflected in the water below them I knew that I had something special!

Had I photographed this same portrait from a different height or with a different lens it wouldn’t have resulted in the same final photo. The end result is a fantastic environmental portrait that truly illustrates the beauty of the destination wedding location that the bride and groom chose for their wedding day.

Location: Dominican Republic.