It seems like just last wedding I was at Tribeca Rooftop, but I’m showing them back-to-back to make a simple point: Venues give flavor to a wedding day, and Tribeca Rooftop is a fantastic place to have one, but what gives weddings character and structure are the people involved. You could have 50 weddings in a row in a featureless room and each one would be reflections of very different stories.
Especially with a couple like Kathryn and Mark. There’s not much I can say about their personalities that isn’t amply visible in the photos, but here’s a taste: They decided to have a dry-run for the wedding on top of a volcano in Nicaragua — and then they sledded down the obsidian slopes at literally breakneck speeds. Sadly I wasn’t there for that part.
This wedding brought a lot full-circle for me. I shot my first wedding many years ago as part of a long-term documentary I was doing with the International Center for Photography under the incredible Andre Lambertson. In January I decided to do a week-long intensive refresher to kick-start my year, and we connected on a different level. To my delight and surprise, he offered to shoot some weddings alongside me. I was honored and a little bit terrified (seriously, check out the resume), but more than anything I love a challenge, and we worked together extremely well, with further assistance from Taylor Hide. I can’t wait for future collaborations.
Congratulations, Kathryn and Mark. It was a pleasure to be at this fantastic wedding, and to relive it through making this post.
Sully - That looked like a really great couple who thoroughly enjoyed their day. Great captures Ryan!
Elissa - Aahh I want to be friends with this couple! They seem so cool!
Paul - http://www.ryanbrenizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/storyboard0171.jpg This. Tilt shift pano awesomeness. Looks like their day was incredible.
Martin Ker - It’s always uplifting to see your work, Ryan even if it makes me realise how far I have to travel on the road; always in a good way though. Keep inspiring us and I’ll keep chasing, ha ha. Once again, great stuff. You do have to watch these Scots though :-)
Daniel K Cheung - Male upskirt? You’ve got my vote!
Spotlight moment is mental.
Brian - Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! I don’t know who took which photo, but I don’t care…it’s really good. Made me smile this morning!
Emily - I really love the portraits (especially the panorama), and the spotlight photo is soooo awesome!!!
MAY - Love every single one! Very candid like shots, amazing work Ryan.
Anushe Low - Fabulous work Ryan!
Anton Chia - I simply love your use of shadows. I looked at the pictures three times!
Jessica Schilling - So stunning! I love the way the groom laughs with his whole body and his head thrown back and how many great shots you captured of that much emotion. Looks like an amazing day.
Leo - Can’t say too much about this that hasn’t already been said, but your work, more than most, always reflects the actual feeling of the wedding day so beautifully, with its genuine emotions and moments, not to mention this (http://www.ryanbrenizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/storyboard0391.jpg) that’s just ridiculous. Seriously awesome.
Alberto - hi Ryan, if it’s not a secret can I ask you in shot like this one on the left http://www.ryanbrenizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/storyboard0032.jpg what technique did you used? a strobed flash, a multiple exposure (maybe the function of the 5dIII) or you shot through some sort of prism (maybe the border of a mirror or a some glasses). thanks in advance and compliments again! :)
Adam Padgett - Dope. Looks like it would be a very tough place to shoot but you made it look so easy!
Lauren Kinde - Looks like a fun wedding! The dancing pictures made me smile. :)
heather nan - Loving the head back laugh of the groom, not once, but twice. The energy of this wedding is infectious. The bride’s reception dress is stunning too! Wonderful work Ryan.
Gabby T - Awesome job ryan, love the couple portraits and setting
Mark Couch - @Martin Ker – just an FYI mate, we’re not Scots we’re WELSH… those aren’t Scottish Kilts but rather Welsh Cilts. Only one type – St. David’s Tartan… not the various little dragons and the gold on Black cross of St. Davids.
Thanks for all the positive comments everyone – and Ryan, thanks again mate.
sarah black - It’s all gorgeous, atmospheric, incredibly observant and totally fun. But then I see the shot looking down over the ceremony from directly overhead, and the curls + bokeh, and we are in a whole new ball game. Stunning. And lol @Daniel on the upskirting.
Heather K - The gorgeous work here is like icing on the love-humor-and-good-times cake. What a fun couple!!! Thank you for capturing their day so beautifully and faithfully, so that we could smile along with them. :D
mike - Amazing work, Ryan.
Kellee Walsh - I nearly died laughing at the upskirt shot! Brilliant work as always Ryan :)
Tyler - genuinely inspired by your work. always makes me look twice. love it, ryan.
Tyler Branch - great job capturing their fun relationship!
Sachin Khona - Yes dude! love your ceremony coverage!
Ryan Brenizer - @Alberto: That was shot through the edge of a mirror. Thanks!
Richard Davies - Great Job Ryan especially the one of a dead Jones outside Puffy’s.
Thomas Lester - The boys look like they were a handful. Great work. Looks like a fun night.
Johanna - Always at the top of your game. I’m trying to figure out which one is my favorite, but every time I scroll back up and down, I find something new. :)
Harvard - You can’t beat kilts with red lanterns. Love the spotlight shot.
Tenielle - Lucky the shadows were very deep on that lying down kilt shot. Ryan every post of yours is an insanely massive joyful, celebration, just how it should be. Now sing it with me.
Nathan Gilmer - I bet you had to be careful not to accidentally get any “up-kilt” shots huh? Great job on this man. Looks like a blast of a wedding.
Veronica Varos - Always wonderful.
Looks like a super fun group!
Clara brashears - Wow! These photos are truly amazing! What a wonderful job you have done!
Patricia - It was a great night and you captured the energy in every photo. Beautiful.
Derek - Gorgeous work as always Ryan, you told their wedding day beautifully through your images.