Six Peeps

June 18, 2008

Louise & Oliver, Castello de Modanella, Tuscany (PART 1 & now TWO)

The reason I stayed so long in Italy was because this couple from Australia found that I’d be in the area and asked if I’d be willing to stick around to shoot their wedding at the very same Castello di Modanella. So wow, it all worked out! And I got to meet them just a few days before their wedding and knew I had a great couple to work with.

Let’s get to business here, I have lots of blogging to do!
It started in the Castle, just a few apartments down from mine. I love this shot of the dress with the Father of the Bride in the mirror.

These boots were made for walkin’, and that’s just what they’ll do, one of these days these boots will walk right down the aisle… to YOU! (Oliver!) Wow! That might have been one of the cheesiest lines I have ever typed into a blog post! Go me!

Oliver was very excited to see his bride (at the Siena town Square)

Here she comes!

You may now…

I really liked this guy. He was a photographer, too so we were able to chat about camera stuff. I showed him my 50 1.2 lens, and he could not believe it. “I bet that’s a fast lens”, he commented. “Very fast, it’s a 1.2″, said I. “1.2?!?!? he exclaimed!”. I like when people ask me about my lens, rather than “megapixels” which is a pretty over-rated camera feature.

Off the go… Hey wait up!

Super cute grandma!

They got the rose petal shower.

There were a few people who enjoyed a chance to throw things at this innocent couple!

It was starting to get personal!

THe weather was so variable in Siena that week. One day it would be super sunny (not ideal for photos), then super duper rainy (great for photos, bad for cameras), and we just happened to get lucky with an hour of the most PERFECT hazy light. PERFECT! So our shoot in the Siena Town Square was awesome.

Some people already know this about me… I LOVE to photograph good lookin food! One of my dreams is to photograph food for restaurants in NYC and SF and all those big cities with the cool food.

Castello di Modanella’s catering is top notch, too. And the cheese in Italy is really cool to photograph.

Don’t worry, there’s a baby.

The wedding party
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I’m personally big on high fives and I wish that it would replace the typical handshake… even among strangers. That handshake is so old fashioned! I’m glad to see that Oliver is a fan, too.

Love this shot of Louise!

I snuck inside to grab some detail shots… Dining in the Castello di Modanella. Awesome.

Then I went back outside. I took this photo of Louise and her mom exclaimed, “He’s taking a photo of your BUM!” (In her British accent). Then I was embarrassed… but I guess I sort of was! But not in a BAD, way, MUM!

Time to go in for dinner!

OK are you ready for some awesome food shots? The Castello catering was ON IT. I also met an American named Jeff, who was an intern here. He goes to school in Ohio and for his internship he simply lives on the Castle property and cooks with the chefs. Awesome!

Yep it’s dinner time.

The guys at Castello di Modanella treated me so well while I was out there. At weddings, sometimes they arrange a meal for the photographer… sometimes they don’t Sometimes while the guests eat a super nice dinner, the vendors get a box lunch (which is fine!). USUALLY I decline the offer regardless because I’m on my commando diet. But at the Castello, I was served the same 5 course meals, AND some of the Castello di Modanella’s very own wine! “When in Rome! (or Tuscany!)”.
Risotto

Spiral Pasta

Chicken and some sort of potato cake???

Maybe I ought to ask this guy

Something funny happened as they were cutting… no… SAWING through their cake. They were cutting through the base of the cake which was styrofoam. The chef had to stop them. You’d probably have to be there but I was almost crying I was laughing so hard.

I’d like to tell you how good this cake was, but I actually exercised my self control, although it looked delish!

Some shots from the toasts. If anyone knows me, this is one of my favorite three times during the day to photograph the guests who have traveled from all over!

Here’s my man, Fabrizio! I wish I had a good shot of Gabriella, too. They both run the show over there at Castello di Modanella. Very hard workers. He and Gabriella were so incredibly nice. I hope to work with you both again, and it was great meeting you! One night, Jenny and I were going to go into town for dinner, but it was an Italian holiday so we were out of luck. We had some food to cook, but next thing you know there was a knock on our door with a full meal that Gabriella sent us. And Fabrizio would make Jenny and I these amazing Cappucinos almost every morning. Amazing.

Back to the wedding… there was much dancin!

So I will end with that. Thank you Louise and Oliver for having me photograph your wedding, it was an honor and thanks to Castello di Modanella, specifically Fabrizio and Gabriella for taking such great care of us. Piacherre y Molto Complimenti!

June 18, 2008 |