The "Trash the Dress" phenomena...
Recently I learned about a "trash the dress" photo shoot event taking place with a dozen or more recent brides and happening at Laguna Beach. Wild horses could not have kept me away!
Sure enough when I arrived ...there were brides and photographers gathering at La Casa del Camino! (the rendezvous point) Together... everyone walked a short distance down to the beach and voila! ...brides in gowns in the water! What an awesome combination!
The idea of photographing a bride in the water was not new to me. It was something I had planned to pursue with some of my bride/clients for some time ...but now! ...suddenly I find myself in wedding photographer's heaven! ...with so many beautiful brides participating all at one time and at one place!
I should mention that for this wonderful experience I have to thank a student in my wedding photography class, Rafael Alcala and a new acquaintance, Nataly Lemus, this partcular event's organizer.
Prior to this... whenever I heard the term "trash the dress" I immediately had images of a rock star on stage destroying his guitar ...so the idea of a bridal shoot destroying the dress ...well, I wasn't too sure how I felt about that. That's why I had to go! ...to find out for myself what this was really all about.
To my great delight I observed that the brides were having the time of their lives in this photo shoot and extremely excited by the prospect of getting images that are truly "cutting edge".
As a wedding photographer... I am always looking for new ways to distinguish my work and the images I create for my client in order to set their album and portraits apart from everyone else's. So I had planned for some time to place a bride on the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean in the shallow water with the sun setting in the background and the bride in the arms of her new husband. But... trashing the dress! That's not at all what I had in mind!
Happily I learned that the dress really wasn't trashed by this experience at all! In fact.. it was reported by some of the brides their gown was now cleaner after being worn in the ocean than it was at the end of the wedding day! And... what came out of it were some very compelling images that both the brides and myself as the photographer are very proud to be associated with!
So... no matter what you call it ...it can still be mixed into a recipe that's not bent on destroying anything! ...but this approach can definitely produce images that are outside the box and raise the bar once again!
These are a few of my shots from that day...
VIDEO ...see on location coverage of the Laguna event by the Orange County Register and the newspaper article here!
My Interpretation for trash the dress was never to destroy the dress but to infact photograph brides in unusual places. after looking at these photographs I was very impressed with your composition your a true photographer awesome job..
Reply from Mark; Yes Bruce... you are totally right! That was actually my point as well. That ...if , perhaps, there were a different descriptive term for this type of photo shoot that dosn't imply destroying the gown ...then maybe there would be a lot less apprehension by some brides for doing this kind of photographic approach and a lot more brides jumping for the chance!
Reply to this
hi mark ! I like it ! It has charisma, and style. I can't believe that you were at that event, I saw it on TV, really a fun thing. I want to tell you that these images are spectacular ! EXQUISITE, fun, and AMAZING!!! WOW
Reply to this
Mark…congrats on the new blog, I’ve bookmarked in my fav’s and look forward to your insight on wedding photography. Your wedding class has been a tremendous resource in moving forward with my wedding photography business. TTD (trash the dress) …WOW what a great time we had shooting all those beautiful brides and had an awesome time shooting with you and look forward too seeing more of your images. Keep up the great work!!!
Reply to this
Hey Mark, I am so glad that you shared this experience with us. I had no idea what "trash the dress" ever ment. Now I think of it as an event that can take place without inhibition, and as a result, maybe some of our best works can come from it. Keep up the great work!
Ron Reynolds
Reply to this
Wow! Well done Mark! I was happy to see more images from the "Trash the Dress" event. You get an "A" from me. I especially like the ones that become translucent when wet -- just enough visibility to tickle the imagination without becoming too risqué and improper. I also like the vignette around some of them. Your Hawaiian shirt in the video takes the cake! Congratulations on the new blog. Outstanding job. I'll see you soon!
Reply to this
Hi Mark!
Very cool blog – now I can keep tabs on you and what you’re up to!
By the way, I recently went to a BBQ with a bunch of my sis-in-laws friends (she was in town visiting) and I brought my album over to show her. I can not tell you how in AWE everyone was with the quality and the photos that you captured of my wedding. Every single one of them asked “WHO IS your photographer?!?! Wow!” I happened to have 2 of your cards in my wallet and gave them to 2 of the gals and told them you find yourself in OC quite a bit with your weddings. I encouraged them to call if they ever need a photographer. When you get a moment, would you mind dropping me some more cards? Whenever anyone sees my book, I get asked who’s my photographer…and handing them one of your business cards is so easy to do!
Glad to hear things are going well. Maybe one of these days we can discuss “trashing my dress”….interesting idea!
Give my best to Eva!
Sara
Reply to this
That second to last is breathtaking! I love it! Thank you so much for participating! Your images are great!
Reply to this
Love your far off shots with couple on rock in Trash the dress shots. Gorgeous! Actually I like all your Trash the dress shots because they look classy and not really trashing anything.
Reply to this
Hey Mark,
I love this blog! Photos are gorgeous, as usual and great commentary. Very well done.
Reply to this
Awesome pictures! Looking at the pictures makes we want to take out my dress and get it trashed at the beach with you taking the pictures... the problem is, I married 12 years ago!
As always, you are great!
Reply to this
That's terrific! Just let me know when it would be a good time for you! ...'cause I'm ready Ana!
Reply to this
Great visual twist for a wedding gown. Question for Mark, is your Dads name Keith Bassam?
Reply to this
Hi Lara!
Reply to this
I LOVE the shot of the couple on top of the rock, with her leaned back and the sun is hitting her. Takes my breath away! Wow!You are awesome!
Reply to this
It was nice reading your post. I needed to know such kind of information to update myself. I work in my friend’s boutique of flower girl dresses and also help in the online promotion.
Reply to this
Nice photos, amazing, photography is really an art great job.
Reply to this