Photography Love

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I LOVE photography. Let me rephrase that, I love good photography. I love photography almost as much as I love floral design or cheesecake. Uh huh. It's true. To say I am passionate about photography is an understatement. I am not a photographer. I do play with my camera, but by no means am I an expert. I do believe I have a good eye though, and can spot a good photograph when I see it. In my profession as a floral designer who specializes in weddings and events, I see a lot of engagement and wedding shoots. I also use photography as an inspiration for my own work, so I am constantly looking at photographs whether they be fashion, editorial, or wedding related.

I want to plainly state that I do not know personally the photographer of this image. I have never met him, nor worked with him. I also want to plainly state I do not know this couple. I have never met them. I did not design the flowers for their wedding. I do not receive any sort of monetary or other type of compensation for loving this photo. I just love it and that is all.

Recently, I was perusing some engagement photographs in an online contest that a bridal magazine was holding. There were many, many images, and as I was clicking through them I was .... "ho hum".... Don't get me wrong, there were some "nice" images there, but nothing got me excited, it was pretty much all the same old stuff except for a few exceptions. Then BOOM. I clicked on this photo by Brian Van Wyk. "Yesssssss!!!" I said. Then I clicked "Like". Then I instantly went to his website link. That is when angels starting singing, because I learned that he was a young photographer living in my hometown of Victoria, B.C.!!! I am delighted to show love to someone local and who is so young. I cannot wait to see how he evolves as a photographer, but most of all, I want to say, " Congratulations Brian!! You won the contest! I knew you would!!"

I love this photo because it is authentic. It instantly gives you an impression. You believe this photo. You believe that this couple would walk arm and arm topless down a remote beach. Sure, they are a beautiful couple, but they are natural. No perfectly applied make-up and hair, no Armani suit. Just them. Authentic.

I love that this photo is a piece of art. Iconographic. It's the kind of picture the couple would perhaps put up on their living room or bedroom wall, blown up, poster size, in a black matte frame, and people would admire it, and then exclaim, " Wait. That's you!!!" When they are old, and are grandparents, I imagine their teen-aged grandchildren saying, " Look at how hot Grandma and Grandpa were!!" or the little ones giggling, " They aren't wearing any shirts!" But every one of their children, or grandchildren will want a copy of this picture because it is iconographic. ( I hope they don't hate me, for I am making them have children, and so soon!!)

I love that in this photo they are not afraid to show their sensuality. This couple fits together. One of my pet peeves in staged shoots is that models are chosen that do not look like they belong together, on this planet or any other....absolutely, no chemistry....ill fitted, poorly cast. Ick. I blame my theater background for my complete intolerance of this. Nothing drives me more nuts, well, except maybe having the subject pour something out of a bottle in a photograph and there is nothing in the bottle!!! I am details driven. I admit it. Please forgive me. I am not meaning to offend anyone, but to inform.

I realize that not all couples are going to feel comfortable removing their shirts for a photographer, or rolling around in the waves. I understand. I believe it is the role of the photographer to find out what the " essence" is of each client, and portray their own individual story through images. It is my belief that this is what makes art, as opposed to putting out the same sorts of images that everyone else is doing. I believe it is the photographers job, as it is the floral designers job, or any creative professional to find your own unique style within your chosen art form and make it shine.

I love this photo because it shines.

Thank-you Brian for allowing me to share this image and comment on it....especially, when you had no idea what I was going to say! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Keep on shining!

Labels: B.C., beach weddings, Brian Van Wyk Photography, bridal magazines, engagement photography, Floral Design, Photography Victoria, wedding photography, wedding photograpy Victoria

posted by Bella Fiore @ 1:58 AM

Maria and Daniel: Boundless Beauty

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Maria originally contacted me via email from Washington. She explained that she was having a destination wedding in Victoria and would I be able to help her organize her wedding flowers? The first thing I need to determine is the bride's style regardless of where they are coming from, once I have determined this, all things are possible. Maria told me she liked roses and hydrangea,her colours were blue and white, she liked pearls and butterflies....a "garden romantic" I thought to myself!
Here is a close up of the custom bouquet I made for Maria. I wired stephanotis with pearl inserts and white butterflies into the bouquet and made a trailing aspect with hanging amaranthus and pearl strands. So romantic. So perfect for Maria.
Maria and her family came to meet me at the studio one month before her wedding to finalize details and meet. It is always so wonderful to meet a bride before her wedding; it doesn't always happen with destination brides. When I met Maria and her family for the first time, it was such a pleasure! They originally are from Siberia and I loved her Mother and Father's accents. Her mother was so beautiful and gracious and her father was the strong silent type; the type of father who only wanted the best for his daughter.
Maria is soooo beautiful! I love her dark hair and blue eyes. Her eyes are the most unusual shade of blue. I just love them.
This is her groom Daniel's boutonniere. Pearls and a rose. Masculine,yet romantic.
Handsome Daniel waiting for his bride to be.
The vows. The white fabric hydrangeas in Maria's hair are from her mother's wedding dress.
Setting up the reception at The English Inn. White roses and blue hydrangea with butterflies. Maria wanted to add blue water to the centerpieces. What the bride wants she gets!! The table was further dressed with floating candles and crystals.
The bride and her sister. Just beauties! I want to hire them both for a photo shoot!!
A gorgeous shot. All the professional photos were take by Leslie Holden Photography.
Married!
Swept off her feet! Love it! I am such a sucker for romance!
Off, into the sunset....Thank-you so much Maria and Daniel for choosing Bella Fiore to be a part of your wedding day. What a pleasure! Wishing you all the joy and happiness your hearts can hold!

Labels: B.C., Bella Fiore Custom Floral Design, blue hydrangea bouquets, destination weddings, garden weddings, The English Inn and Resort, wedding bouquets, weddings Victoria, white roses

posted by Bella Fiore @ 11:07 PM

Sneak Peek: Villa Marco Pollo Floral Details

Sunday, June 21, 2009

I have found a new wedding venue to love. It is called the Villa Marco Polo Inn. It is a lovely five star bed and breakfast with beautiful Italianate gardens and interior decor full of Persian and antique styling; from the moment I first saw it I was in love. It felt like home. This venue is perfect for an intimate garden wedding.I discovered this venue thanks to my lovely bride and groom who held their wedding there this Saturday. This is just a sneak peek of some of the floral details while we wait for the professional photos.
I made this turquoise bead curtain to delineate the entrance to the gardens for the guests as they arrived. I did not want to spend too much of the bride's budget on the entrance but still wanted to have something elegant and tasteful. I think this fit the bill!
I attached these lovely chartreuse orchids just to add another pop of color.
And tied back the curtain with turquoise satin ribbon. The bride's colors as you can guess were chartreuse, white, turquoise and touches of silver.
The bride's bouquet full of roses, berries and two different kinds of orchids.

A close up shot of the flowers.
The bride wanted a floppy satin bow and a bit of bling on the wrap.
One of the boutonnieres. I made four different kinds.
The corsages.
The venue had this sweet little tree that I couldn't let go naked; so I dressed it up with turquoise and chartreuse satin ribbon. I also made these custom crystals to tie onto the ribbon and to catch a bit of light. I think the tree was happy to be dressed for the occasion!
The centerpieces were made in tall fluted glass vases that had submerged orchids and chartreuse wire.
Spilling forth from the top were white orchids and hydrangea. So elegant.
This one with it's mate were waiting for the banquet table to get dressed.
A close up of the wire detailing.

The sweetheart table had this lovely centerpiece.
Three types of orchids were used in this wedding.
Some more crystals attached to the ceremony gazebo.
The gazebo looked so pretty all dressed up.
The altar piece was placed on a nice white Italianate pillar.It was made in a tall silver fluted vase.
Here is the total effect. My pictures do not do it justice. Click on the pictures to enlarge the images.



The garden has this beautiful fountain in the middle and I was chomping at the bit to do a fantastic floral feature in it, but one thing a florist has to do, is stay in budget! Sigh. Maybe next time.

The lovely grounds.
Thanks to my son for taking all the garden and building shots for me while Mom worked he photographed. My daughter is the one who actually helped me by passing me flowers, scissors and ribbon when I needed it. We worked like a fine tuned machine. I'm a lucky Mom.
My son had a fascination with all the garden statues. Could it be because they were women in various states of undress, or because they were simply beautiful?
I wish I could be a lady lounging around in this garden; the problem is, I am not very ladylike, but I could pretend!
Best wishes to my latest newlyweds Stacey and Chris! I can't wait too see the photos !

Labels: B.C., bed and breakfast in Victoria, floral details for weddings, floral sneak peek, garden weddings, orchids, Villa Marco Polo Inn

posted by Bella Fiore @ 10:28 PM