Farmers Image of the Week: High-Energy Bridal Party Portrait by Ross Alexander

Farmers Image of the Week: High-Energy Bridal Party Portrait by Ross Alexander

FARMERS IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Ross Alexander

Farmers Image of the Week: High-Energy Bridal Party

Ross Alexander’s Farmers Image of the Week is a fantastic example of how a bit of advance planning can elevate the final result. Knowing this particular venue could pose challenges, Ross took the initiative to explore it in advance, and in doing so, discovered this unique, tucked-away corner that became the backdrop for a truly memorable shot. This image, taken as a “bonus” scene at the end of the night, freed him from the constraints of capturing must-have shots, allowing for creative freedom and pure, unfiltered fun with the bridal party.

Ross has perfected the composition and execution of this image. The vibrant lighting and dramatic chandeliers frame the bride beautifully, placing her as the undeniable focal point of this lively gathering. The bride’s elevated position, arms joyfully raised, creates a natural sense of celebration, amplified by the surrounding energy of friends and family. This image is also a brilliant use of colour; the rich reds and pinks in the background and attire create a cohesive, almost cinematic look, giving it that extra punch.

Technically, the shot is superbly controlled. The lighting is directed with precision, highlighting the bride without casting any harsh shadows or overexposing key areas. By positioning his subjects and planning his lighting, Ross created an image that captures the spirit of the evening, full of life and laughter, without sacrificing aesthetic control. It’s proof that even orchestrated moments can feel spontaneous and genuine, especially when you’ve created an environment where everyone feels comfortable and free to let loose. This shot is a reminder that sometimes a bit of pre-planning and taking control as a photographer can actually enhance the fun, creating a scene that feels authentic while being visually stunning.

THE DETAILS

CAMERA: Sony A9 | Sigma 24mm 1.4

SETTINGS: ISO 500 | f2.5 |1/160 | Flash 1/32

PRESET: My Own Preset

WHAT ROSS SAID

I popped my flash on a stand to get a little more contrast, got low to make sure I got as much of the room in as possible and hyped them up. I really love the results.

This was taken at 10pm, the last shot before I went home. This room is called the Velvet Lounge inside the Virgin Hotel in Edinburgh. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to get the bridal party in there for some fun pictures. It’s absolute vibes and is perfect for this type of picture.

It took a few attempts to convince everyone to make their way through the hotel (it’s on the complete other side of the hotel from where the wedding takes place) but I wasn’t leaving until we got it…totally worth it!

I popped my flash on a stand to get a little more contrast, got low to make sure I got as much of the room in as possible and hyped them up. I really love the results.

THE TECH TALK

Farmers Image of the Week: High-Energy Bridal Party Portrait by Ross Alexander

Something that really helped me here was going to the venue for a recce beforehand. I rarely do this but I knew this venue had a complex layout so although it was an inconvenience, it was worth making the effort. I knew I wanted to try to get an image like this from that visit. I also mentioned it to the bride before the wedding day and again in the morning of the wedding. Quite often,

I’m winging it but in this case it helped to have a plan and visiting the venue beforehand helped. Also, with direct flash being a trend at the moment, having the flash hit from a different angle from my camera gave this image a bit more contrast and I feel like the lighting really makes the image better than if it was directly on top of my camera. Lastly, I love the perspective from shooting up from down low. It really takes in the whole room so getting creative with angles is something I love the play with.

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