A Quick Guide to Wedding Portrait Posing

Chinese tradition meets Irish for Yvonne and Jude’s sweet wedding day.

The team:
@christinabrosnan
@mockmediavideo
@emurphymakeup
@paradeflowers
@wildroseartisancakes
@rachelgilbertbridal
@tinakilly_country_house

The tradition of the engagement ring.

“According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the concept behind engagement rings may have originated in Ancient Rome. Back then, women were given rings made of ivory, flint, bone, copper, or iron to signify the ownership their husbands had over them. While not exactly romantic, this tradition continued, slightly changing over time.

It wasn’t until 1477 that a diamond engagement ring was first recorded in history. It was given to Mary of Burgundy by the Archduke Maximillian of Austria. Many years later, in 1840, diamond engagement rings made their way to America. Still, they didn’t become the norm until the 1930s.
By 1940, diamond engagement rings had become much more common – in fact, they were one of the most popular pieces of jewelry out there. And in 1947, De Beers launched a marketing campaign that made them even more sought after.” (via @theknot )

The tradition of the wedding veil.

“You can trace its roots back to Rome, where a bride used to walk down the aisle with a veil over her face in order to disguise herself from any evil spirits who wanted to stand in the way of her happiness” (via @brides )

I knew when I arrived at Adare Manor there was little chance of Erica and Arthur having their portraits outdoors. It was a wet day. But, if you know your way around @adaremanor you can create magic. I loved this space we used for their portraits and couldn’t be happier with how the space worked with the edgy vibe of Erica’s dress.

The team:
@theadaremanor
@christinabrosnan
@acweddingproductions
@viorica_d_photography
@harrisandwilkinson
@_lisa_shannon_makeup
@aidandarcyhair
@grosvenorstationerycompany
@jopetit_thedreamband
@daniellefrankelstudio

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

Google describes a hopeless romantic as ‘a person who holds sentimental and idealistic views on love, especially in spite of experience, evidence, or exhortations otherwise’.

Having been raised in the golden era of Hollywood romcom I definitely share these sentiments. It’s why the above quote is the only quote that’s ever stuck with me. This quote is from Nat King Cole’s song ‘Nature Boy’ (released in 1948), but I first came across it in the 2001 film Moulin Rouge (*cue in me moving to Paris) directed by Baz Luhrmann (an all time fave) which intertwined this quote throughout with spoken word and song. It’s stuck with me so much I even have it tattooed on my arm (#girlswithtattoos). I am, without a doubt, a hopeless romantic.

I like to think this sense of romanticism transcends, even just a little, into the portraits I produce.

Let’s talk about impactful scene setting images of your wedding day. I’m not talking about detail shots of your venue (those are great and add so much but that’s not what I’m talking about here). During a wedding day I am always thinking two things - ‘What’s the story I’m telling if I take this shot?’ and ‘Don’t forget to pull back and capture the full scene.’.

It’s great to get intimate on a wedding day and get in for those close shots. A wedding day is intimate; but it’s knowing when to take a step back and see a bigger picture emerge, one that tells a broader story. These are the images that really set the scene for your wedding album. My favourite time to capture these scene setting images is often during your drinks reception and dinner, though I’m always on the lookout for an opportunity to capture these moments.

Elemental Beauty. A shoot for IMAGE, and a devine collaboration of talented people.

The team:
@christinabrosnan
@image.ie
@clonwilliam
@covecakedesign
@thefrenchtouchflowers
@ciara.o.halloran
@juvidesigns
@dirtyfabulousvintage
@theatticbridalwearboutique
@covetboudoir
@inchhairdesign
@elysianbrowstudio_
@tansey_sarah

Two highschool sweethearts were married among the hills of the picturesque village of Grasse, France on the grounds of a beautiful private villa. I spent two beautiful days with Allison and Tim.

As seen on @stylemepretty

The team:
@christinabrosnan
@monplusbeaujourweddings
@studiomondine
@motioncraftcreative
@thomasdusseune
@joannaaugust
@miramandic
@harrietwildshoes

One fateful night, two beautiful souls attended a masquerade ball in Markree Castle and their paths crossed. Fast forward a few years and here they are back at Markree for their wedding day. A true Romeo and Juliet style romance, with a happier ending. A fitting love story to share today as I jet off to the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Drone footage @bandgweddings

The team:
@christinabrosnan
@annebarge
@markreecastlesligo
@irlweddingvideos
@wild_bunch_flowers
@mcgcakes_
@sharonmccormackmua
@kreation.hair
@ivoryisledesigns

“Provence is a country to which I am always returning, next week, next year, any day now, as soon as I can get on a train.” ~ Elizabeth David

Of all the places I’ve been for a destination wedding, Provence has been my most frequented. It offers so much beauty.

Chateau Diter is no exception. Though sadly it’s no longer available for events.

The team:
@lavenderandroseweddings
@missrose_by_perrine
@christinabrosnan
@gemmamilly
@parfumsetsaveurs_paris
@gerardcoiffeurcannes
@beckyandbelha

On a backdrop of sky blue seas and white washed walls these two lovers got married. Mike and Melody brought their fun loving spirits to every moment of their wedding weekend.

The team:
@christinabrosnan
@mykonoswedding
@mykonosflowers
@lazarobridal
@myconianutopia

For nearly 3 decades I’ve held a camera in my hands. For nearly two I’ve called myself a photographer, thriving in this identity. Creating comes second nature to me. It’s something my mind craves. If I’m not creating, boredom sets in. I chose the path of photography, but it could just as easily have been any other of The Arts. A symptom of being right brained.

What I love about art is how it evolves, and likewise how it evolves the artist. A piece of artwork is an expression of the artist that created it. Being an artist means constantly searching for your next true self. The way I take a picture, compose and edit, represents who I am in that moment of time. I can look back over my years of work and see the person I was at any given moment and compare that to the person I am today, simply by comparing my art of then and now. The evolution is evident. Art is amazing in that way. A visual record of our true selves.

The art that has always ignited intrigue in me is timeless. It doesn’t always take the same form. It’s not just one single thing, one piece of art or artist, but a multitude of mediums and people. And much like the art that I find myself drawn to, my own has taken on many variations. Though one objective has remained constant - to create something timeless.

I want to extend my gratitude to these amazing artists in their own right for capturing me in a moment of pure joy, engaged with fellow peers of an industry that has pushed me to flourish as an artist in every way.

1. @corbingurkin
2. @amyanaizphoto
3. @joshgooden
4. @storyofeve (pictured with @undertheveil )
5. @joshgooden

All captured for @engagesummits