The use of reflections in wedding photography can be either a photographer's dream, or a photographer's nightmare! You've probably seen many images of bridal prep where we photograph the reflection of the bride or bridesmaids in the mirror, rather than photographing the subject themselves. This is often necessary simply due to lack of room - we can't get in front of the subject to photograph them - and so in these instances, the mirror becomes the subject. However, in nearly every bridal prep, whether it's at the bride's home or in a hotel, available space is limited - so it can be a constant challenge to photograph a beautifully framed shot into a mirror without committing the mortal sin of getting our own reflection in the shot, too!
However, it's not just during bridal prep that reflections can be used to make a good wedding photograph. Of course, whilst the bride is getting ready, we photographers normally have plenty of time to look for an interesting reflection shot and work around any issues to frame it perfectly. During the rest of the wedding day, we're normally working far more rapidly and have to think on our feet... meaning that rather than composing a reflection shot, it's normally more the case that we just have to keep a practised eye out for an opportunity.
This particular wedding photograph, shot at a recent wedding in Bridport, Dorset, is the perfect example of being in the right place at the right time - and all the components coming together pretty much perfectly to create the shot. As the bride draws up outside the church in her wedding car, she pauses for a moment as she sees me... and at that same moment, I can see all the key moments in the story of that moment, reflected in the car's bodywork. I see the waiting vicar, with the church steps behind him, leading up to the church where she will shortly be married. I see the hand of the man who is reaching forward to open the door for her. And I see her sister, waiting patiently beside the vicar, ready to reassure and guide her on her journey.
I absolutely love this photograph, for it tells a much more complex story than simply that of the bride's expression as she arrives at church. And, I still remember the contortions I had to get into to get the shot without my own reflection being present, whilst I worked quickly to make sure that I didn't impact upon the moment.
