Silhouette Wedding Image: Farmers Image Of The Week

Silhouette Wedding Image: Farmers Image Of The Week

FARMERS IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Lindsey Mackenzie Parker

Farmers Image Of The Week: Silhouette Wedding Image

This week’s Farmers Image Of The Week is an incredible silhouette wedding image by Lindsey Mackenzie Parker, nominated by a fellow Farmer. It’s always great when our community spots a photo that deserves some extra attention, and this one really stands out. Straight away, this image catches your eye with its bold red backdrop and striking silhouette of the couple. Silhouettes like this aren’t about facial expressions – they’re about energy, shapes, and the story those shapes tell.

Why This Silhouette Wedding Image Works

The magic of a silhouette wedding image lies in its simplicity, but pulling it off requires real skill. Lindsey used the bright digital screen of the venue as her backdrop, which gave her a clean, consistent light source. The bold red background creates a strong contrast, making the couple’s outlines pop. Their dynamic poses add a sense of movement and fun, making the shot feel alive.

Spontaneity Meets Preparation

What makes this image exceptional is the balance between spontaneity and preparation. Lindsey had planned posed shots in front of the digital screen, knowing it was a standout feature of the venue. But this particular photo happened because she was ready when the couple let their guard down and started having fun with their guests.

This is where experience as a wedding photographer really shines. It’s one thing to plan a great shot, but being able to pivot when something better happens in front of you? That’s the good stuff. Lindsey’s ability to adapt shows why it’s so important to stay present and prepared, even when you’ve already nailed the posed shots.

Lessons for Wedding Photographers

Lindsey’s silhouette wedding image is a great reminder of what you can achieve with a bit of planning and the right mindset on the day. Here are a few takeaways:

Play with Silhouettes – Don’t be afraid to experiment with silhouettes as part of your wedding galleries. With the right lighting and framing, they can add variety and impact.

Be Ready for the Unexpected – Some of the best photos happen when you least expect them. Stay ready to capture those unplanned happenings that give the day its character.

Use Your Venue’s Features – Lindsey turned the venue’s digital screen into a bold statement piece in this image. Look for standout features in the space you’re working with and think about how you can use them creatively.

Find the Fun – Couples love it when their photos show genuine energy and personality. Encourage playful moments, and don’t be afraid to embrace them when they happen.

This image shows why silhouette photography is an interesting wedding photography technique. It’s bold, creative, and gives couples something different to look back on. Lindsey Mackenzie Parker has absolutely smashed it with this photo, proving that with a bit of planning and a lot of readiness, you can create images that stand out not just in a gallery but in a sea of wedding photos on social media.

Well done, Lindsey, on creating such a standout photo for Farmers Image Of The Week!

Silhouette Wedding Image of a couple in front of a bright red backdrop with wedding-themed text
THE DETAILS

CAMERA: Nikon Z6 mk2 | 35mm Nikon z

SETTINGS: ISO 3200 | f-stop – 2.5 | 3200

PRESET: Own Preset

WHAT Lindsey SAID

“in a very short space of time I have images of them standing, Kate being picked up, then this one of them waving to their friends all within 40 seconds.”

Kate & Ross had a very creative winter wedding and a contrast of venues, which the architect in me loved. I offer an hourly rate to clients to give them control of their wedding day and let them decide what elements they want covered. This worked really well for their day.

Kate & Ross chose to have 4 hours coverage which allowed time for a variety of shots and different locations: the traditional church for their ceremony followed by drinks at Kelvingrove Cafe before arriving at their reception venue for the evening’s party at SWG3. These were all achievable, however, it did require some forward planning, and discussion with the couple about the key images they wanted and then how I wanted to shoot them. The red screen was absolutely one of these.

This shot was captured as Kate and Ross arrived into SWG3 on route to their reception party. We only had a small window of opportunity to get some photographs here before meeting their guests. Catering for the wedding was provided by the couple’s close friends (who also own the fabulous Unalome restaurant in Glasgow) and Kate and Ross wanted a photograph with them against the vibrant backdrop. Time was important here to get all the shots we wanted and not hold up the chefs for too long at an important stage for them in the day.

Initially I wanted to photograph Kate & Ross as silhouettes against the screen, then quickly turn on my flash to capture an image of them with their friends lit from my camera and not just shooting into the light source. As they are standing in front of the sign, Ross picked up Kate just as their friends walk in and they turn to say ‘Hi’. I keep shooting through this moment so in a very short space of time I have images of them standing, Kate being picked up, then this one of them waving to their friends all within 40 seconds. Their friends only had a moment to spare so it was necessary for me to react quickly, turning on the flash and adjusting my shutter speed changing as few camera settings as possible before they needed to head back to the kitchen.

THE TECH TALK

Silhouette Wedding Image : Farmers Image Of The Week

Silhouette Wedding Image of a couple n front of a bright red backdrop with wedding-themed text

I love winter weddings, I got married in December too. However these moments can take a little extra thought and preparation. Having the ability to switch from ambient light to flash light when the creative situation requires can maximise the number of shots that you can deliver to a client especially when time is tight. This image wasn’t part of the pre-arranged couple’s shoot, this was them arriving at the venue for their party.

Winter wedding rooms can also be incredibly dark. I love fairy lights and candlelit venues, however it does push the camera to find focus in these instances harder than in daylight. I have realised that I have to keep shooting at these moments. One small movement and the focus on the subject could be lost. I don’t suggest ‘spray and pray’, it’s watching and understanding what moments are happening in front of you and consciously choosing to keep shooting as you don’t know what magic might happen naturally.

I had arrived at SWG3 before the couple so that I could photograph the venue before everyone was seated for dinner. I knew we wanted to do a shot at the sign, so had decided where I wanted them to stand for the composition of the shot next to the writing. I tested out the lighting knowing that I love silhouettes and wanted to photograph that first. Then I tested the flash lighting to add light their faces. I adjusted my camera settings to allow for both shots and change as little as possible knowing I would need to be fast. This gave me the opportunity to shoot two different looks to the same location and not move my couple from where they were standing.

The silhouette shot was exposed for the red screen, I wanted to maintain the rich red colour of the background and keep my shadows dark. This allowed me to increase my shutter speed considerably and remove any ambient light from in front of the couple.

In post I applied my preset, then reduced the blacks to create the crisp contrast between the screen and the couple. I also increased my shadows slightly so that I could pick up the sheer edges of Kate’s stunning cape on her dress by Flossy & Dossy. Finally I straightened the image so that the edges of the screen sit vertically and horizontally. When the couple are moving I move with them so the lines often are not straight, straight out of camera.

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