When Bridget and Alex contacted me about photographing their Wedding at the James Theatre in Dungog, they already had a very clear concept of what they planned to do, with a fun idea for their big group photo with all their guests. As they told me their idea, I knew I had to be involved!
Little did I know it then, but the image we created that day would earn me a top award in the International Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards 2024, but I’ll get back to that…
The James Theatre as a Wedding Venue
The James Theatre, situated in Dungog in the Upper Hunter Valley, has a proud heritage. Built in 1918, it is the oldest cinema in operation in Australia and is distinctive for its Spanish Mission facade. The building is intriguing in its design because it is both a theatre with a stage, a cinema, thanks to a pull-down screen, and an event space, due to the large open area between the two.
This floorplan is absolutely perfect for Weddings, and Bridget and Alex were able to use each section to create added interest for their guests. On arrival, friends and family were greeted at the front of the Theatre by a red carpet and your-truly playing Paparazzi, photographing each of them, before they entered into the Cinema section to find snacks, a few familiar faces(!) and 3D Glasses to wear.
The Wedding Celebrations & Design
Their Ceremony, led by Nell Dark-Jones, took place in front of the Cinema screen. They had built and hand-decorated an arbour with colourful materials before raising the screen to reveal the Reception space and stage beyond.
As Bridget is a very talented Illustrator in her own right (check out her work here), the decorations were colourful, full of texture and fun. The same could be said for Nell’s Ceremony, which was sprinkled with cheekiness and laughs. The couple ran with the movie theme throughout, designing clapperboard signs, movie ticket invites, and life-size cardboard cutouts of Movie Stars that made for entertaining props.
A wandering magician performed tricks (JD’s World of Magic), the Bathtub Gin Orchestra played Jazz on stage and they even handed out Trophies for their Award winners. The whole day was full of character and fun, perfectly reflecting their personalities.
A Special Wedding Group Photo Concept
Having the opportunity to be a part of something so unique always excites me, and I worked hard to bring their vision to life, which brings me back to that group photo… When I first met Alex & Bridget they told me about the theatre they had found, the fun they wanted to have with it and an idea for a non-traditional group photo of all their guests sitting in the cinema seats wearing 3D glasses, whilst they ate popcorn and appeared to be watching a movie!
The concept was brilliant. My only concern was how much light there might be and how I would get a clear image that still conveyed the idea well. When I arrived at the space the day before the wedding, it was dark. The only lights were pointing towards to screen and so there was barely anything to illuminate the audience. I knew it wasn’t going to be enough.
I went away to the accommodation I was staying in and thought about it over night, then realised that if I positioned flashes at the back of the cinema, firing directly towards the camera, I could illuminate the space whilst additionally adding a bit of ‘theatre’ and pop to the image. I then bounced my on-camera flash off the large white cinema screen to illuminate them from the front and all this light enabled me to be able to get everybody in focus whilst also creating an image that has life to it. I was stoked!
An International Award
The image stood out as something different and unique and was recognised professionally as it went on to win the ‘I Do Crew’ category of the International Wedding Photographer of the Year Award for 2024! It has since been shared by many major news outlets and garnered praise from around the world.
I must express a massive thank you to Alex & Bridget for seeing magic in my work and trusting me to capture their vision for their Wedding!! It was truly a joy to be a part of.
So, if you have an unusual idea for your big day, go for it! The world is a much more interesting place when people show their personalities! 😁
Chris
A selection of International Press for the Awards and Images
Daily Mail UK
GEO Germany
CNews France
Sputnik Russia
Digital Camera World Australia
My Modern Met USA
Fox USA
Corriere Italy
The Hunter Valley Wedding Vendor Team
Bridget’s Illustration: https://www.strayleaves.com/
Venue: https://www.jamestheatre.com.au/
Celebrant: https://www.nelldarkjones.com/
Photographer: www.underatreehouse.com.au
Florist: https://theflowershopdungog.com.au/
Styling: https://vintagepeacock.com.au/
Hair & Makeup: www.glossgirl.com.au
Live Band: https://www.bathtubginorchestra.com/
Catering: thewoodfiredpizzacompany.com.au
Bar: https://www.thewagonbar.org/
Magician & MC: https://jd4magic.com/
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