THENEW ART

OFCAPTURI
NGLOVE
 Contents
Foreword vi Preface viii Introduction 1

1 2
a wedding revolution 5 breaking the mold 14

3 4
engagements 31 two grooms 70

5 6
two brides 99 wedding parties 129

7
wedding rituals 156

Parting Thoughts 194 Contributors 203

Appendix: The Business of Acknowledgments 208
Same-Sex Weddings 197
About the Authors 210
Glossary 201
Index 211

KristinCHAPTER
ChalmersNAME v
Photography
Nikon D700, 24–70 lens, ISO 400, 1⁄60 sec. at f/2.8

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 A White Wedding
there’s nothing like a
man in uniform
In this chapter, we’ve talked a lot about the problem of the
lack of contrast resulting from two dark suits or tuxes. Not
surprisingly, this same challenge occurs when both partners
are wearing their dress whites. Thankfully, some of the small
detailing—the buttons, the awards and decorations, the
flowers—helps to anchor the eye and keep it from being lost in
so much white. And the external color details provided by the
porch railing and American flag help frame the couple.
Most civilian photographers would need to do a bit of extra
preparation to ensure that they are ready to photograph a
traditional military wedding; and this is all the more true if you
are photographing a military wedding with a same-sex couple.
Military tradition is deeply steeped in conventional gender roles
and customs, so it is incredibly important in these cases to work
with the couple before the Big Day to understand more about
the military rituals and dress they’ll incorporate.
78 the new art of capturing love
4NewArtCapturingLove_4P_04.indd 78
behind the lens
Feeling like your photographs of two
men depict the couple more like friends
or siblings? Make sure that you blend in
plenty of front-to-front embraces, and if
you pose them side to side, make sure
that you capture a series in which they
layer their bodies and gaze directly into
each other’s eyes. Most straight men
will speak to one another while standing
shoulder to shoulder, looking ahead,
making very little sustained eye contact.
Use a more direct exchange of gazes
to help make your point that this is a
couple in love.
Red Stone Photography
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 85mm lens, ISO 400,
1
⁄1600 sec. at f/3.2
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 Sealed with a kiss. Most couples will complete
the ceremony with a kiss, but not all will.
Consider your options and their intentions prior
to the ceremony so that you can be in position
to capture the moment of shared celebration.

[opposite top] Jimmy Ho Photography

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 135mm lens, ISO 2000,
1
⁄2500 sec. at f/2.0

[opposite bottom] Whitmeyer Photography

Nikon D700, 140mm lens, ISO 1600, 1⁄1250 sec. at f/2.8

[top] Dawn E. Roscoe Photography

Canon EOS 5D, 24–70mm lens, ISO 800, 1⁄60 sec. at f/2.8

[bottom] Bri McDaniel Photography

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 85mm lens, ISO 5000, 1⁄800 sec. at f/1.8

wedding rituals 187

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 “Tell me about your ceremony. What are you
most excited about? Anything that concerns
you?” Time to lend a supportive ear or shoulder.
Your experience can help allay your clients’ fears
and put them at ease. If they are concerned
about something, share with them one of the
many positive stories outlined in this book.
“Do you want formal photos? Who will be
in those photos? Do you envision a role for
any close friends or chosen and/or biological
family?” Avoid the assumption that the couple’s
family is supportive, but don’t rule it out either;
and make sure to fully understand your clients’
unique family trees.
“Tell me about your reception. What kind
of formalities are you envisioning?” Some
You Walk the Walk, Now Talk the Talk
Standard Wedding Language
bride
bride and groom
bridal party
best man
maid of honor
bridesmaids
groomsmen
bridal portraits
bridal session
trash (or rock) the dress
bridal market
200 the new art of capturing love
BMNewArtCapturingLove_FP_BM.indd 200
same-sex couples do all the wedding traditions,
some invent their own traditions, and some do
none. Without discounting the couple’s choices,
share your professional experience and any
benefits of certain “canned” events. For instance,
toasts make for great pictures because everyone
is focused, looking in the same direction, and
there are great reactions without any distractions
in the background.
Do you have a business- or marketing-
related story, challenge, or idea to share?
We’d love to hear it! Tweet it
(@authenticwed). Post it
(www.facebook.com/capturinglove).
Or contact us
(engage@capturingloveguide.com)!
Inclusive Wedding Language
couple, engaged couple, or client(s)
the brides, the grooms, the couple
attendants or wedding party
best man or best woman
maid of honor or man of honor
bridesmaids, bridesmen, or attendants
groomsmen, groomswomen, or attendants
wedding portraits
couple’s session
trash/rock the dress or tux
wedding market
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 THENEW ART
OFCAPTURI
NGLOVE
 Copyright © 2014 by Kathryn Hamm and Thea Dodds

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Amphoto Books, an imprint of the Crown Publishing
Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.amphotobooks.com
 
AMPHOTO BOOKS and the Amphoto Books logo are registered trademarks of
Random House, Inc.

Originally published in the United States in somewhat different form by Authentic

Weddings as Capturing Love: The Art of Lesbian and Gay Wedding Photography
in Rumney, New Hampshire, in 2013.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hamm, Kathryn, 1969–

 The new art of capturing love : the essential guide to lesbian and gay wedding
photography / Kathryn Hamm and Thea Dodds; foreword by Martie Maguire of the
Dixie Chicks and Court Yard Hounds. — First Amphoto edition.
      pages cm
 Includes index.
1.  Wedding photography. 2.  Same-sex marriage.  I. Dodds, Thea, 1978–
II. Title.
 TR819.D63 2014
 778.93925—dc23
                                                           2013041295

Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-0-8041-8523-3

eBook ISBN: 978-0-8041-8524-0

Printed in China

Design by Amy Sly

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

First Amphoto Edition

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