Getting Sexy - Doug Gordon

It all begins with Personality

I am often asked, how I developed my style and more importanly how I stand out in todays highly competitive market. My approach to a wedding is more of a highly fashionable, editorial , sexy style of wedding photography. I do very little documentary photography coverage. For me it is all about control and making the story. As we all know each wedding is unique in itself, however all brides are looking for the same fairytale. I feel my job is to give it to her even though it is not always there. I believe in creating moments. Ultimately my goal is to craft exciting unique images with much emotion. Today’s bride is more sophisticated then ever and knows what she want’s. Withe me what they see; is what they get

I have been fortunate enough to be photographing weddings since the young age of 16. As a second generation photographer, I learned the art of patience and control. My father’s first rule was simple; always keep control. Never ever stop talking,. He use to tell me never give the subject a chance to lose there focus. If I stop talking, they’re going to lose interest. He is so right I have spent the last 18 years following that same principal.

Wedding photography is a show in itself. I have learned that being a photographer puts me on stage always. If the client likes me, they will love my photos. My main goal at a wedding is to impact each and every person I come into contact with. I try to do something to make them remember me. I would definately classify myself as highly energetic and motivational. With that personality trait I find it very easy to get my clients to push the envelope beyond anything they ever expected. I believe in the old fashioned shock value. Some people will love what I do; some will be indifferent. The question I ask myself always is; will they remember me?

If you didn’t figure it out already, I love posing people. I love telling the story. I love making people feel special. The best thing I get to do is make people look better than they have ever looked in there life. I tell them before I ever press the shutter that I am going to put them in the most uncomfortable positions they have ever been in, however they are going to look better than ever. As you probably already know they don’t mind.

With my posing plan in place, I have a specific lighting plan. My lighting approach is simple, I focus all my attention on the subject. I try to always shoot from a dark to light area. I love brightly lit warm photos. With an overexposed background and a properly exposed subject ; it gives the photo that warm oil painting look. This look usually cause a beautiful wrap around light glow effect. I am generally shooting with a 70-200 mm lens set for aperture priority 2.8 I use the shallow depth field as a sought of skin softener. The main thing that separates my lighting style metering. I am using a center weighted spot meter that I lock the exposure in the shadowed area under the subject’s eye.

PERSONALITY

Photo Quote: To photograph truthfully and effectively is to see beneath the surfaces and record the qualities of nature and humanity which live or are latent in all things. - Ansel Adams