FIELDS OF GOLD (COUPLE SESSION)
SO OUR RUN OF INCREDIBLY HOT WEATHER HAS BROKEN, AND MOODY SKIES HAVE RETURNED WITH RAIN. WITH THAT IN MIND, I FIGURED I'D WARM UP OUR WEEK WITH A COUPLE SESSION ABSOLUTELY DRIPPING IN WARM GOLDEN SUNSHINE. THESE GUYS NAILED THEIR WARM-UP SESSION AHEAD OF THEIR SEPTEMBER WEDDING. JUST LOOK AT THOSE GOLDEN FIELDS TOO!
This shoot location isn't far from my where I grew up. Amidst the gentle rolling hills of North Hertfordshire, nestled amidst some distant trees, you can just about see a church spire reaching up into the sky. This picturesque little village is surrounded by crop fields;
EXPANSES OF GOLD THAT ROLL RIGHT OUT TO THE HORIZON, LIKE A GOLD AND YELLOW PATCHWORK QUILT.
I drove out to the village the day before, to scope out some shot locations. As soon as I could see the sun setting over the horizon, I pulled my car over. This particular field was super tall with crop, so perfect in fact, I actually thought to myself...
"Hmmm... This looks like it'll be harvested soon. Knowing my luck, it'll be before I my shoot tomorrow evening".
WHAT IS IT WITH ME, AND MY CYNICISM? IT'S LIKE I WILL THESE DISASTROUS POSSIBILITIES INTO REALITY!
There we were the following evening, taking the lovely walk up to the field. Neil & Alison had settled into the session so well, and were beginning to really relax with the camera. When I walked them into the field, the sun was only half an hour above the horizon. It was already turning super golden and soft, so I had to get to work pretty quick. There was something about the golden crop reflecting the light too, so in that moment, they seemed to literally bathe in the light.
Once they stood embracing, I gave a little direction, pulled the camera up to my eye and took a deep breath.
ON THE EXHALE, AS ALWAYS, I PRESSED THE SHUTTER. ONCE, TWICE.. DAMN, THIS LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL. THEN A THIRD TIME. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW PERFECT THIS LOOKS.
"Sorry love, you're going to have to move!" With a proper jump, I fly round to see a Combine Harvester the size of a house pulling up behind me. It had taken me so long to hear them, that this huge piece of machinery had gotten pretty close!
Wow, way to kill a romantic moment guys. Seriously! My first thought was of course "Knew it. Of course you're doing that today" and my second was "This is totally going to kill the vibe". What to do? I certainly wasn't going to give up this stunning sunset, or this view, so with a big smile and a shoulder shrug I laughed it off. Instead, we just shot from the side of the road. It doesn't sound very romantic but it it didn't phase these guys at all. And I'm so glad we did, because the photos we got in that light were just beyond.
THE DUST WHICH WAS BEING KICKED UP BY THE HARVESTER WAS CREATING QUITE AN EFFECT TOO.
It's often those unexpected moments which liven up a photo. I've learning to embrace the unexpected; some of my favourite photos mix the cinematic with the totally real. Here's hoping these photos are a step in the right direction.
Thanks to Neil and Alison for such a lovely evening session, and for the glass of Prosecco beforehand. And take note lovelies... Gemma always shoot a little better after a glass of that ;)
GWx
