Have you been enjoying all these fabulous photographers’ tips on getting the shot? If so, you’ll love this one! This blog features the spectacular Michael Mann of Michael Mann Photography, whose forte lies in Fine Art Editorial wedding photography. Michael currently resides in Sarlat-la-Canéda, a medieval town in southwest France. With a keen eye for detail and an artistic flair, Michael's work is breathtaking and innovative.
His imagery goes beyond the surface. The way he plays with light and composition is inspiring; each photograph tells a story and evokes emotions that transport you to the heart of the moment. Want to learn more from the best wedding photographers out there? You’re in luck! We had the privilege of asking Michael Mann to share his favorite wedding photo and shed light on the art of getting that perfect shot.
Fine Art Editorial Wedding Photography: Tips From Wedding Pro Michael Mann
From wedding photography ideas to achieving that captivating dark moody wedding photography style, Michael's insights are a treasure trove for aspiring and professional wedding photographers seeking to capture their couples’ special day in a unique light.
1. Highlight Different Elements In Your Frame
A pro at fine art editorial wedding photography, this particular shot by Michael Mann showcases his knack for creating moody wedding photos. Michael's trusty tools for this shot were a Canon 5D MKII camera paired with a 16-35mm lens.
The scene was set against the backdrop of an approaching storm, giving him just a brief 30-second window to work his magic. As Michael puts it, “I wanted to show how even with terrible weather you can still have an epic outdoor photo, and because the sky and the atmosphere was dark and moody, I wanted a photo that would show that.”
To achieve the dark and moody style, Michael played with lighting. He strategically positioned a Canon 580ex Speedlite behind the wedding couple, directing its glow toward their heads. Michael's goal was simple yet profound: to showcase that weddings can be “dramatic, moody and beautiful all at the same time.”
The pose itself was elegantly straightforward. Michael positioned the groom in a way that showcased his face. A gentle prompt led to a sweet moment as the groom kissed the bride's cheek, turning her face gently towards the camera. The outcome was a shot that oozed intimacy and emotion.
Behind the scene of this image, the enchanting charm of a vintage French car and a stunning chateau came into play. These elements added depth and uniqueness to the story. Michael recalls, “The couple had rented a really beautiful car for their ceremony, and the reception was at a stunning chateau, so I wanted to incorporate them both to have an epic photo. The couple, all the way from the UK, chose the picturesque southwest of France for their wedding.” Michael cleverly incorporated these details, weaving them into the narrative.
Curious about the editing process? Michael revealed he used Nik software within Photoshop, along with a skillful touch of dodging and burning. In the end, this moody wedding photo speaks volumes about Michael Mann's wedding photography style.
Read More: 8 Trending Wedding Photo Editing Styles To Explore
2. Get Creative With Lighting
With his Canon 5D MKIV 24-70, 70-200, 580ex Speedlite, Phottix triggers and receiver, Magmod Grid and Sphere, and a creative vision, Michael Mann set out to capture one of the most unique wedding silhouettes. His drive? A desire for something different, something that would encapsulate the rich colors and fairy lights and reflect his couple’s bright and bubbly personalities.
He positioned the couple against a plain white brick wall right outside the reception and used a single flash behind them, pointing at the wall with a pink gel, creating a beautiful silhouette. When it came to posing, Michael mentions, “Because it is a silhouette photo, it is important to have a clear outline of each person in the photo, so I didn’t want them to kiss but still show a connection to one another by pressing their waists together.” This approach to posing is a handy tip for anyone looking to create compelling silhouette images.
To add depth and interest to the scene, he photographed the different fairy lights with varying focal lengths and white balances. The magic, however, was not just in the lighting or posing. “Apart from a little dodging and burning, this was done all in camera with the MKIVs multiple exposure option,” says Michael Mann. This showcases the power of understanding your gear and aptly framing your photography scenes.
Suggested Read: How To Shoot Silhouettes: A Guide For Wedding Photographers
3. Take Pictures From Unique Perspectives
Michael Mann has an eye for capturing intimate moments from a fresh perspective, and this shot is a prime example of his artistry in fine art editorial wedding photography. Let’s go over another behind-the-scene of a photograph by Michael Mann. With his Canon 5DmkII and a 16-35mm lens, Michael sought an exceptional moment during a wedding.
As Michael recalls, “While the bride was fixing her makeup after the ceremony, I saw the groom waiting patiently on the bench with really nice light coming through an open door in front of him. The spiral staircase gave a really nice flow, so I wanted to create a composition, but having the stairs empty felt a bit weird. I decided to wait for the bride to finish, and, without letting the groom notice what we were doing, just told her to walk slowly down the stairs.”
The wedding photo required some coordination from the bride and the use of natural light to create a compelling composition. And the backstory added even more depth - the couple had French and American roots and chose the south of France for their wedding. This shot was taken on the chateau's spiral staircase just before family portraits.
Michael's love for this image stems from the flow and composition of the scene and the fact that the groom remained oblivious to what he was trying to achieve. Despite the complexity of the composition, Michael used a simple black-and-white conversion in Lightroom. This approach is a valuable tip for those looking for photography ideas, demonstrating that sometimes, less is more.
Further Read: All About Natural Light Wedding Photography
In essence, these photographs by wedding pro Michael Mann show how thinking outside the box, understanding your equipment, and playing with light can lead to stunning and unique wedding photos. These pictures are a perfect blend of technical skills and artistic vision, providing inspiration for photographers in the wedding photography business everywhere. Don't forget to check out Michael’s website and follow him on Instagram to stay updated on his latest work and gather more wedding photos ideas.
At ShootDotEdit, we are passionate about helping you grow your wedding photography business. A part of how we do that is by lessening your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our pricing plans.
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