What I learned at a wedding workshop (and what makes a great sunset session)
New lighting techniques, honest feedback and a few practical tips for a sunset photo session around Brașov.
I recently had the chance to attend a wedding photography workshop with Vlad Solomon, an experience I'd recommend to anyone in this trade.
We explored new lighting techniques and I learned how to build authentic visual stories, not just pretty frames. Swapping ideas with other photographers and the feedback I got helped me refine my style.
The most valuable part was looking at wedding photography with fresh eyes. After dozens of events, it's easy to slip into autopilot. A good workshop pulls you out of it.
For me, continuing to learn is part of being a professional. You trust me with a day that never happens again. The least I can do is show up better prepared every year.
A big part of the workshop was about light, so here are a few practical tips for one of my favourite sessions: the sunset session.
Golden hour is short. The most beautiful light starts about an hour before sunset and lasts a little after. Check the exact sunset time for the day of the session and arrive 15 to 20 minutes early, so we're not rushing just when the light is at its best.
Choose the spot carefully. Around Brașov the mountains hide the sun earlier than you'd think, so hills and meadows that open to the west work best. If you don't know where to go, I'll recommend a few places I love.
Wear warm or neutral colours that get along with the light: cream, beige, terracotta, dusty blue. Avoid big prints and neon. And bring a jacket, it gets cold quickly in the mountains once the sun goes down.
Don't worry if you don't know how to pose. I'll give you a few pointers at the start, then let you talk, walk and be silly together. The best sunset frames come when you forget about me and look at each other.
It was an intense, inspiring workshop that reminded me why I love this job. A few frames from it are on Instagram.