Art Of Concentration Reveals Emotion.
At Sterling Photography, we believe true art is found in capturing the little moments. These are the moments that make every wedding unique. There are the big moments. These are the ones that are captured because of custom and tradition. We all know them: the bride’s procession, the exchange of the rings, the formally posed wedding party and the cutting of the cake. These moments have been expected, projected and protected by wedding photographers and brides for generations.
Art: The Little Moments Within the Big Ones
However, there are moments that often make a wedding memorable. They are found in between the big moments. Only the observant, trained photographer can see them. Only he (or she) can record them and tell the story of your day.
That day is captured by Sterling Photography. They are captured in the tiny, beautiful moments of a fleeting tear, a flashing smile, a blush, or a glance.
Sometimes the best part of the story is shown in the stolen, intimate embrace. It may be caught during the dance or while setting a more formal pose.
Sterling learned this lesson from the writing of the great photographer, Ansel Adams. He said, “A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety.”
These moments happen in the proverbial “blink of an eye.” So…how fast is that you might wonder? The typical human eye blink occurs in one hundred twenty-fifth of a second. And that is how cameras and good photographers think—in tiny fractions of seconds.
Essentially, Sterling does not “want to miss a thing.” A good wedding photographer knows that if he captures the small moments, the wedding couple will have and cherish them, forever. The small moments hold the details. The details hold the memory of the moment.
The Songwriter’s Art: Another Song for Sterling’s Wedding Photography Theme
Often we think in terms of romantic music when we think of a wedding. For the wedding photographer, as well as the couple, the romantic song, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” by Aerosmith could be a theme song.
Through this song and quotes from some famous mentors, we will examine Sterling’s five keys to the fine art of good wedding photography, Sterling Style!
Art of Observation: Wedding Photo Key Number 1
The good wedding photographer is focused on each moment with a keen awareness. The art of observation is key to any type of photography. In the whirl of activity on the wedding day, the couple might miss many special moments.
This is why a good photographer practices the art of observation. In a sense, he is the eyes and ears of the wedding
Genuine Art: Hermique and Eric share authentic smiles at Paradise Cove, Orlando.
couple, the wedding party, and the family. He captures emotions and moments they might miss.
The paradox of the photographer’s art is that the photographer is lost in that moment. He is swept up in emotions.
And yet he stands technically, journalistically, objectively, apart from those moments and emotions.
(This double role of standing inside a moment and yet professionally remaining outside of it in order to capture it, is a very special skill. It is exactly why you do not want your favorite Uncle Joe to photograph your wedding.)
A good photograph can keep “a moment from running away,” in the words of Eudora Welty.
The Aerosmith song says,
“I could spend my life in this sweet surrender.
I could stay lost in this moment forever.
Well, every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure.”
Art of Concentration: Wedding Photo Key Number 2
Concentration is a very special talent. It requires focus and attention to detail. It is necessary in spite of distractions all around you. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “the ability to think carefully about something you are doing and nothing else.”
You do not want your wedding photographer to think of anything except your wedding. That would be like “falling asleep” for a true professional.
Likewise, if you cherish photographs, you don’t want your wedding photographer to close his (or her) eyes for a moment. This is reflected in such words as:
“I don’t wanna close my eyes.
I don’t wanna fall asleep.
‘Cause I’d miss you, baby.
And I don’t wanna miss a thing…”
Art of Projection–In the Groom’s Eyes: Wedding Photo Key Number 3
Art of Authenticity: Sterling Protography captures the Groom’s Expression.
The heart of a good wedding photographer is reflected in the groom’s eyes. When a groom looks at a bride on that special day, he doesn’t want to blink, even for 125th of a second. As the song says…
“Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do.
I’d still miss you, baby.
And I don’t wanna miss a thing…”
Art of Projection–In the Bride’s Eyes: Wedding Photo Key Number 4:
Using the art of personal projection, Sterling can see moments as they are reflected in various members of the wedding party. This is a special form of empathy. He can capture a mother’s bitter sweet tears. He sees the adorable smile of the nervous ringbearer.
As she gazes into her groom’s face, Sterling can see emotions reflected in the bride’s eyes. Sterling can see the lyric…
Art of the Moment: Bride’s inspection of herself as she lets go of last moments as a bachelorette.
“Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we’re together.
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever.”
Sterling knows that a good couple wants the wedding day, the little moments, to last for a lifetime. The lesson in this attitude actually comes from Shakespeare.
He said, “…Time is very long for those who lament, very short for those who celebrate, but for those who love, time is eternal.”
Put simply, Sterling’s art is found in the photographs of moments which you would like to stay with you until the end of time.
In summary, the fine art of Sterling’s photography blends arts of observing, concentrating, and catching each moment.
By intensely training each bit of his technique, art, and talent, Sterling gives a wedding couple their tiny special moments forever.
Swept Away By the Art of the Moment: Hermique and Eric share their first sunset as man and wife.
By the way, you can enjoy the full lyrics of this song on Google Play Music.
It is obvious Sterling agrees with the songwriter’s art in “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” and with every wedding vow he says…
“I don’t wanna close my eyes.
I don’t want to miss one smile.”
