Photographer: Brett Florens
These images were created in Paris and were structured to reveal the incredible texture of the Amanda Wakeley gown. Brett used an Elinchrom Ranger Quadra as his main light source. “The luxurious layering of the fabric would have looked flat without the strobe,” he says. Note the small triangle of light on her cheek, indicative of Rembrandt lighting; Brett chose the classic lighting pattern as a point of contrast with the contemporary pose and gown.
The poses found in high-fashion magazines tend to be exaggerated or even contorted, but there’s an aesthetic intent underlying what might initially look awkward. “The poses are carefully crafted to show off the textures of the fabric or the model’s great body and bone structure, so they often incorporate rounded or hunched shoulders,” says Brett Florens, whose wedding images are highly influenced by fashion photography.
“These poses need to be executed with conviction or they will seem unconvincing or contrived,” he adds. “Fortunately, it’s fashion-conscious brides who tend to enjoy this editorial-inspired imagery—and these girls are generally confident, which liberates them to pose freely without being inhibited. They enjoy the limelight and expressing their sensuality.”
Leaving the couple’s beach ceremony, Brett came across an amazing dead tree in the water, “The bride was keen to create this image, but the sun was setting quickly,” he recalls. After the bride was dropped off by a dhow, Brett got into the water—stripping down to his boxers and shooting chest deep in the Indian Ocean! His assistant held an Elinchrom Ranger Quadra above the water on a Manfrotto monopod, pointing it in the bride’s direction. “In addition to getting great images for my bride, I have to admit to selfish reasons for this sequence,” says Brett. “Wedding images submitted for print competition often have to be from the day itself. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.”
Brett adds, “I have made a conscious decision to stay away from the influences of mainstream wedding photography. I find that wedding photography evolves very slowly, so it can be regurgitated and predictable. I love the fast pace and quickly evolving fashion photography genre. The lighting and posing is very progressive.” In particular, Brett says he looks for inspiration in the work of world-class image-makers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino, Peter Lindbergh, Mario Sorrenti, Anthony Friend, and Jacques Weyers.
