I sat down this morning at Blenz Coffee with my laptop and mug of strong, black coffee. I answered every email that had been sent to me (ha! okay that's a lie, but I got 75% of the way through!) and decided it was about time I wrote another FAQ post for my photographer blog readers. I tried scrolling through my "Photographers" folder of my email to look at past questions and what I could answer, and I wasn't feeling inspired. I tried to put myself in some one else's shoes, what would I ask myself? I couldn't think. Because I am myself. It was a little bit confusing and finally I gave up and twittered that I was about to write a FAQ post. Y'know, after all, when in doubt, don't actually do what you said you're going to do, just talk about doing it. Passes the time.
On facebook and my twitter replies I finally got inspired! So here I am world. This post is all about what to wear while shooting a wedding. Gentlemen, unfortunately there won't be much information for you here, but you have it pretty dang easy. Dress pants. Dress shirt. Shower before you go. Done. But for women it's a confusing battle between comfort and style and trying not to flash guests when you bend over, down or all around.
I'm no style queen. I try. I try hard. I love going downtown and people-watching and some people just got it going on! Maybe it's a struggle for all of us and they are simply doing a more convincing job of faking it... ;) I'll never know. Saying all this to say, I work hard trying to co-ordinate my outfits for wedding days and look halfway presentable and cute and stylish. Instead of guests saying, "Oh goodness me, that photographer dresses like she has no mother," I want them to say, "Excuse me, where did you get that dress, I LOVE IT!"
I'm not really a dress-pants kind of girl. I feel frumpy in them when I can't wear heels and I can't shoot in heels. See the problem here? :) On the odd occasion I do shoot in pants I'll just wear a nice blouse with some fun hair accessories or unique earrings. I mainly shoot weddings in dresses and skirts and my favourite stores are Banana Republic, RW & Co. (Canadian store), Ann Taylor LOFT, Reitmans (Canadian Store). Lately I've been loving shooting with black tights on underneath, so I don't have to worry about flashing anyone: and they are super comfy!
Here are some of my favourite outfits below--I hope this post helps you women photographers out! :)
Dress from Reitmans with basic flats and black tights.
I wore a black sundress I bought from
H&M for
Alanna & Stan's wedding. The hottest wedding of the year. I was dying even in this! Oh and yes, I shot this wedding in flip-flops because it was a casual one!
Black pencil skirt, black tank top and red cardigan. This would be me holding my
ridiculously heavy lens that kills my wrist. Hence the wrist massaging. And just ignore that ridiculous smile. I do that all the time when I'm working. I think it's my concentrated look. ;) Oh, and those flats are
Ballet Flat Crocs.
Same outfit as above, different angle. I always stash flip flops in my car when I know I'm going to be shooting at the beach like I was for Denise & Brock's Wedding.
Black pencil skirt, white blouse, thick black belt, black flower in my hair from Aldo.
[UPDATE] Some photographers have emailed asking about my bag, and that's a
ShootSac by Jessica Claire. I absolutely adore it. You can carry up to 3 or 4 lenses comfortably (there are 6 pockets.) I don't carry flashes in it, but you definitely could. On a typical wedding day I have my 35mm f/1.4 on my camera, and my 85mm f/1.8, 28mm f/2.8, and 50mm f/1.2 in my Shootsac. I also put at least 16GB of memory cards in one pocket with two Canon batteries (unused) and then keep all filled memory cards in another Shootsac pocket. All night. I never let those cards out of my sight! Hope that helps.
Get in touch with Jamie or view more of her online portfolio.
THERE ARE COMMENTS ON THIS POST