We love taking bridals, but it can just get boring shooting the bride when she doesn't want to get her dress dirty. There are only so many things you can do...except for the first and last image - she wanted some shots in a tree. What is it about trees & brides down here...I would say atleast 75% of our brides want to sit in a tree for an image!

Anyone wanna plan for a "trash the dress" session down here in Louisiana? I would love to get some of our brides in on this...

CC always welcome!

Oh & please excuse the over-sharpening on some of these - When I made them smaller to post I accidentally ran the action that sharpens them as well.

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Very nice! Lots of variety in location. Maybe that is a southern thing, too!

I know what you mean about not wanting to get it dirty, but I never realized bridals were a southern tradition ( of course, I've never been anywhere BUT the south--lol!).

My favs are #2 & #10!

yeah, I do a ton of bridals.

here's my trick - I bring a white queen size bed sheet and it goes under the dress at all times. I just tuck it under the train, or bunch up the extra behind her feet so so one can see it. That way only the last 1/2 inch or so of the dress is touching the ground, and if you are careful, it stays as good as new.

It was in full use in this shot:

Thanks, Jennifer. Actually all of these shots are done in one place - a reception hall in Covington, LA. Pretty place.

Megan, I'm not sure about other photogs, but if most of my brides would have to pick they would choose the bridal session over the engagements. Which is why when we change our prices, the engagements will be "complimentary" like lots of photogs on this forum do (now I know why!) and the bridals will be extra, b/c I know most will want it & pay for it.

Yes, Eric, the dreaded blanket, sheet... We usually suggest they bring one if they are concerned about dirt. It just annoys me sometimes b/c it seems like they are more cautious when they HAVE the sheet than when they don't....by the way, I like your image!

Nice pics. I am of course in the South too. Bridals are a must! I actually have a lot of fun doing them. I look forward to the sessions.

Oh my gosh you're right! I never connected it. I think it's a BR thing. Just like Koozies at weddings is such a BR thing. As I'm looking back at old bridals it's always the BR weddings where they ended up in a tree.
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When I first moved to Nola, I thought bridals were so odd. Really, odd. I explain it to the Northern brides now and they think it's pretty odd too. Now that I'm back up north I kind of miss doing them them - oddly I don't feel as busy not having to do them for every wedding and the feeling sort of freaks me out. I don't miss having to do them in Summer though, Wow... I so hated doing to outside bridals in July - August in Louisiana. Sweat, sweat, flat hair, bugs and more sweat.

I KNOW!!! What is UP with the brides in trees!!!???

And ugh please don't remind me about the summer. We have - like - two months of winter, and the other 10 months are basically summer. Oh, and bugs....yes of course!!! It is SO fun to shoot during love bug season!

My husband is from PA, and he says bridals aren't as big up there, either. I wonder why that is? OH - a friend of mine got married a while back and had - guess what - PERSONALIZED KOOZIES as favors!

Wow- gorgeous bride Courtenay- and you did a fabulous job with her bridals.

I had to laugh because I shot a bridal at the old state capital yesterday- and of course, she hopped in the big Oak tree in the front. Too funny!

Thanks, Mark! LOL - yep, i know just the tree you are talking about!

I'm in Baton Rouge too.....and have yet to find a bride to do a trash the dress! I have begged, pleaded....and the closest I've gotten has been "Okay, but I don't want to get it too dirty...." I actually just got married myself, and would be willing to put my dress on again and get "trashy"! I wish more brides were open to the idea.....

We're having a photog get together in Alexandria next Thursday evening, You and Courtenay are welcome to come. We will have a few models, I'll see if I can come up with a dress to trash. If not, we'll definately schedule one soon.

PM me if you can make it to Alex next Thursday, I'll get the info to you.

I wish I could be there! I work full time during the week though (I'm an RN) and it's impossible to get away on short notice. Let me know if you do anything local.....i'm there!

Man, what is going on. I never see Baton Rouge folks on here.

Courtenay, I shot some family portraits and they ended up in trees down by the state capital.

We shot engagements for a couple and they ended up in the trees in the quad at LSU. I think it's because we have no other significant landscape. I don't know.

I'm sorry for being oblivious. I'm moving for awhile to South Carolina but I'd love to hook up with y'all if or when I get back. I've got several friends I shoot with around town and that'd be fun.

J

Aww darn! Thanks so much for the invite - I wish I could make it. The earliest I would be able to get over there would be like 6:30pm, which I'm sure is too late. But please keep us in mind when you guys plan another one. I would love to be there!



You are right...it's not just brides. We have done engagements and families in trees, too....so weird!!!

Whenever you are back down this way let me know, that sounds fun