This review of my 2016 Dorset wedding photography is a fantastic example of how off Camera Lighting can really make absolutely awesome classy images, especially with bridal preparations. This first shot from Salterns Mariner in Poole is a lovely image shot through the veil giving a soft dream like image. The viewers eye is drawn to Kim the bride’s eye liner being applied which is the whole point of the image. The composition is also made so the eye is on a third and dominant. The off camera light is almost the only light source, but I have included a little bit of ambient lighting, and both light sources are coming from the same direction. I always position the off camera lighting from a high angle as this can make cheek bone far more pronounced. This shot once again using a tiny bit of ambient lighting but mainly the off camera lighting which here we can see how the accurate light exposure is kept to just lighting the bride’s face. If required in a really messy prep room I do often expose the bride’s face and completely under expose the background and surroundings so as to hide all those plastic bags and suitcases etc. The off camera lighting is in my opinion absolutely essential in this day and age of wedding photography, I am able to use just natural light if I want to mix things up a bit or I can mix both lighting sources or just record the off camera lighting on its own. It is my job to try and create lots of different looks/styles as possible in just a few minutes.  I always love the Father of the bride first look, it can often take place in a moment of time and it can all happen very fast. Dad here is taking in all the view and contemplating the moment and how beautiful his daughter is looking, the jaw has slightly dropped. Bride is also just in a moment of contemplation as we can see with her reflection in the mirror, which is also a conspired touch by myself. There are elements of this image I don’t like such as the bottle of wine and glass between bride and father but you often get this in the true moment of reportage.  Another true funny reportage image, the wind was quite fierce on the day and having an outdoor ceremony it was going to play a part at some point. There were a whole sequence of images leading up to this moment as the Cathedral length veil blew around to finally end up on Dad’s head. Shortly after this shot the veil was removed completely.  Bride Kim took it completely in her stride, literally, and loved the fun of the moment as we can just see a big smile on her face.  Finishing up with the absolutely stunning night time/dusk image of bride and groom kissing in the ceremony hut. I had pre planned this image and was so pleased that the guys wanted a dusk shot with an amazing sky a hint of the last of the days light illuminating the yachts in the background. I don’t need to write much about this image as it is a real winner.