This Farmers Image of the Week from Jo Donaldson of Jo Plus Liam caught my attention for the sheer amount of joy it encapsulates. There is no doubt that this bride is having the best wedding day and living her best life in this extraordinary image. Jo mentions they are not the kind of photographers who leave soon after the first dance, and this image is exactly why. Although Jo had actually packed away her kit by this point, she remained fully observant and, rather than aiming for perfection, she focused on capturing the action. I love the energy, the feeling of being lost in the moment, and the fact that it kinda looks like a circus tent, just adding to the whimsical feel of this image.

Jo has brilliantly composed this shot to focus on the bride at the peak of her celebration. With the bride high above the crowd, Jo makes her the clear focal point, drawing the viewer’s eye immediately to her exuberant expression. The surrounding guests, help to frame the bride and create a natural flow that leads the viewer’s gaze around the image. The composition captures not just a single moment but the collective joy of everyone in attendance.

The lighting in this image is beautifully managed. The soft, warm glow from the string lights adds a cosy, intimate feel to the scene, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere. The lights draped across the ceiling provide a sense of direction and movement, leading the eye toward the centre of the image. Despite the dim setting typical of a late-night party, Jo has maintained clarity and detail, especially in the expressions and actions of the guests.

What stands out most in this image is the energy and emotion. You can almost hear the music and feel the excitement just by looking at it. The bride’s expression of sheer joy, the clapping, dancing, and laughter all convey a sense of freedom and celebration. It’s an image that tells a story, not just of a wedding, but of a moment where everyone was truly in the spirit of celebration.

From a technical standpoint, Jo’s use of a slightly slower shutter speed to capture motion without blurring the subjects is well executed. This approach maintains the sharpness of the bride and key figures, while still conveying the movement and dynamic atmosphere of the party. The choice to shoot with available light instead of using flash enhances the natural ambiance and keeps the image authentic to the scene.

This image isn’t about posed perfection; it’s about capturing the real, spontaneous joy of a wedding celebration. Jo Donaldson shows us here the importance of being present, even after the planned shots are done. It’s these in-between moments that often hold the most magic. This image is a wonderful reminder that great wedding photography isn’t just about the expected; it’s also about what happens in the spaces in between. Congratulations, Jo, on this fantastic capture and for being our Farmers Image of the Week!