Sunday, June 10, 2007

One Couple, One Dress, 101 photographs

A few weeks ago, I posted an entry about a trend that photographers are calling "trash the dress." I was so inspired by the amazing images on their website that I put out the call for a willing couple.

Lisa and Brian, I can't thank you enough. They were so willing to try anything. It's a tremendous act of trust to put up the money for train fare and overnight accommodation, all so I can lay you down in a less than squeaky clean fountain in your wedding gown.

Finally, I want to thank Michelle, a client bride who has become a dear friend, for being the voice of social consciousness in the comments of my previous post. She rightly pointed out that there are more noble destinies for wedding gowns, including donating the gown to charity. Respectful debate is always welcome here.

For every trash the dress shoot that I book, I will donate money to Brides Against Breast Cancer, a charity that resells donated wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer education and research. (You can give money, too! Cancer sucks! )

You can see all 101 photos here, but I've chosen some of my favorites to post below.











16 comments:

Tara said...

Wow Angie. Those are absolutely stunning. I would trash my dress for you. :)

Anonymous said...

Angie, I adore you and I think your photography is incredible, but there is no way on God's green earth that I would do that in my wedding dress.

However, I would totally buy a $99 David's Bridal number just to have photographs like these, because they are Awesome with a capital A. But I guess that wouldn't be the same, huh?

Chunky Photojournalist Barbie said...

Dress trashing is definitely not for everyone. Honestly, I'm not sure I could go through with it for wither of the brides for whom I was maid of honor, let alone for myself someday. I loved how happy and beautiful the gowns made them feel. Kelly's red dress was so HER, it would feel plain wrong to me to destroy it.

Regarding cheap dresses, however... Same, schmame! Lisa had a beautiful ivory veil that she's wearing in very few photographs. We didn't want to trash it, so that's a $3.99 piece of tulle and a $19.99 headpiece I got for 25% off at A.C. Moore on her head. Also, Isaac Mizrahi is coming out with a super-cheap line of wedding attire for Target.

Anonymous said...

Yay! Thank you so much for doing this! I only had time to look at the 10 here so far but I can't wait to look at the rest today (while I am supposed to be working). You are fabulous!

Unknown said...

Those are lovely photos, Angie. Makes me wish I had a wedding dress to trash. :)

(And might I add that I love the charity you chose? Love them.)

Lauri said...

These are sooo fantastic! Wow, I am completely blown away. I love every single one of them. Obi Wan, you must show me the under water shooting technique when you feel like this young jedi is ready :-)

Christen said...

Hi! First of all.... I love the TTD pics! They're stunning!

I'm a friend of Lisa's and I was wondering if I could post some of your TTD pics of her into my blog?

You can reach me via my blog (http://christenlynn.blogspot.com) or e-mail (futurelibrarian@gmail.com). Thanks!

-Christen

Carl said...

Those photos are awesome.

Kelly said...

They ARE awesome but, yeah, I'm totally not up for trashing my dress to do this. Maybe in different dress, tho....

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos, Angie (as always)! Did you see this recent article in the NYT style section?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/fashion/weddings/10trash.html

casey

Carl said...

Kelly, your recent school administration and crackhead frustrations may be due to some kind of karmic thing you got yourself into because of your wedding dress attachments. Perhaps you can free yourself of the karmic wheel of misery by trashing your wedding dress. It looks fun.

Katie said...

Oh I love these ... all 101! And I'm jealous. How did you do the underwater thing??? I'm stumped.

I told Lauri that when I get married I'll trash my dress for her. So you must teach her how to shoot underwater! :-)

Chunky Photojournalist Barbie said...

Carl, WTF? :) I'm lost. Leave Kelly alone.

Casey, happy delurking, lady! Are you all settling in your new place? And yes, I saw the article.

Katie, the underwater shots are created using your regular camera with the standard wide angle lens and an empty 10-gallon glass fish tank. You look a little silly treading water with a fish tank, an expensive camera and some goggles, but other than that, it's pretty easy.

Oh, and Lauri and I already kicked around the idea of the three of us getting together someday and shooting ourselves as "brides on trampolines." I'm not sure I'm up for lighting the dress on fire, did you see that one?

Tara said...

So Angie,

Would trying to zip up your dress after 10 years (and 10 lbs) of being married constitute 'trashing your dress'? Hypothetically speaking....

Anonymous said...

Angie,

These shots are GORGEOUS! Holy crap, J and I should do this! Ok, we should do it with a cheapie replacement dress, but DANG! Hot! Hot pics!

-Neeekeee

PS I couldn't bring myself to comment back that *cringe* Maggie was on the GL when I fell...and that we had it adjusted professionally. *cringe* We're now using a leash wrap around her tummy (learned in obedience class)that is excellent. She hasn't figured out how to pull on it yet.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Angie! Your work is absolutely stunning. Gorgeous....
Mom