These formal wedding photos were created back in 2011! And they’re of my brother and his wonderful wife, Kelli Jo! Currently, he is in the Air Force in New Jersey and they now have two wonderful little kids. I don’t know why it took me this long to share their photos.
Bride and groom in front of the Salt Lake Temple
It was a very warm November day when we photographed them. I figured it would be fun to use them in portfolios and marketing. So we spent longer than normal photographing them and the weather was perfect. We started in the Joseph Smith Memorial building then went around the temple and then stopped by the studio for some indoor photos.
Jonathan & Kelli Jo at the SL Temple
Creative location use for different photos at a popular location
A formal session is similar to an engagement session meets bridal session. It happens before the wedding and the bride and the groom ar there—dressed as if it was the wedding day. It is a great way to get wedding photos before the wedding. They wedding date was in late December, and probably freezing so a formal session makes sense.
Dramatic formal wedding photo
And I did a little dramatic lighting for fun and for practice. When it is family, I have more room to be creative. And in the seven years, I have improved a lot in posing a bride and groom together. Some of the poses are a little to “posey” and a little too formal. And today, the couple still have huge prints on their walls, yay!
Dramatic wedding photo with the Salt Lake Temple
Lighting makes all the difference
If there is one thing I am known for in photography it is my lighting technique. Hopefully that sets me apart from other photographers. The other thing I am known for is being easy to work with. My goal is to make the people in front of the camera as relaxed as possible. Having your photo taken can be stressful for people. Some people put that up there with public speaking and death, the two most fear activities in the world
Dramatic bridal portraits
I probably should create more black and white photos
And the Joseph Smith Memorial Building is right next door and is a treasure trove of locations for wedding photography. Yay!
Formal portraits as the JSMB
Enjoy the rest of the photos. There are a few other photos I might share… some film photos created with a film camera and some Photoshop creations. Stay tuned.
The proper technique for dipping the bride
Creating that sparkle look with the lighting and the engaged couple
Fun with lighting and lens choice
Relaxed posing for the engaged couple
Formal portraits
Classic pose and lighting
Kelli Jo’s bridals at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building
My posing style has evolved in 7 years
Kelli Jo’s bridal photo
Christmas lights for the Joseph Smith Memorial building
