One of the things we like to do for our couples when we photograph them at city hall is to give them some dramatic images. Obviously the building itself gives us the opportunity to create images with impact just by aiming the camera in any direction. However, when a bride and groom books us, they are looking for something more. So we bring extra lighting and external flash units to help create a different look. By using a radio slave controlled flash we can make a photo like the one above. This particular image was photographed clear across the building with a remote flash placed behind this gorgeous bride. By balancing the light from our on-camera flash with the back-light, we were able to create this glow.
We are one of the few San Francisco City Hall photographers you will see wandering around the building carrying an extra light. If you want to tell the pros from the amateurs, check out their lighting systems. We have many friends who are top-notch wedding photographers at this amazing venue and almost all of them use off camera lighting. We wouldn't dream of photographing a wedding any other way. Using a light that is placed far away from the camera gives the photographs a professional look and also more dimension and depth. We use various types of light shaping equipment, but mostly love our large umbrella for the soft light it creates. In addition to the main light coming from this umbrella, the reflective light fills other areas of the photos with softer light.
