Edinburgh Wedding Photography:
600,000 Views for One Wedding Image

Last week, I had the pleasure of photographing Emily and Ryan’s wedding at Edinburgh Zoo. As well as the usual more formal images, the guys wanted to capture some images that encapsulated the feel of the day and, having got married at the zoo, it seemed only right to try to get a few images with some of the animals. A recce beforehand had shown me that this was going to be a bit more tricky than at first envisaged, as the layout of the various cages and pens didn’t lend themselves to include a photograph of the bride & groom. But needs must…

I felt the best opportunity to capture such an image was to look for an enclosure where I could locate myself at one side of the enclosure and place Emily & Ryan on the other side with the animals in the middle, and the meerkat enclosure seemed to fit the bill more than most. Of course, there’s a huge element of luck involved here, as a meerkat stood up at exactly the time and place that I wished for. Having set up the shot already, I quickly refocused and grabbed the shot you see below. I shared this image on my Facebook page last week and Ryan then reposted it to one of the more popular content sharing sites where the image has received over 600,000 views to date (617,000 to be precise). Whilst most of the comments are very favourable, there were a few suggesting that the image was “faked” and that the couple were “out of focus”, so I thought this would be a good place to set the record straight. First of all, yes, Emily & Ryan are out of focus in the shot, but that is the intention. The thought process behind the image was to have the focus on the animal, with the couple in the background, but with it still being quite obvious that they are on their wedding day which I believe I’ve achieved. Secondly, the image is in no way “faked”. Of course you could create this image using composite images in Photoshop but there would be no point as it wouldn’t reflect what actually happened on the day. Sure, there is a huge slice of luck involved but, as they say…he who dares!

Anyway, hope you like it.

Like this post? You might also like…

6 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • CourtenayApril 24, 2012 - 4:13 pm

    I’m not usually a fan of the set up shot, but this one did make me laugh out loud…a very good spot Mike and a lot of fun…hope the couple appreciated it 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Pollination The Flower ShopApril 30, 2012 - 2:57 pm

    Hi Mike, we are the florists for Emily and Ryans wedding. That is a great shot, just a shame you couldn’t have worked the bouquet in 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Wendy LennoxMay 2, 2012 - 3:55 pm

    OMG I LOVE the creativity in this!! You are amazing Mike.ReplyCancel

  • Mike Cook PhotographyApril 30, 2012 - 11:04 pm

    Hi guys, glad you like the image…sorry about the bouquet 🙁 …must try harder next time.ReplyCancel

  • Pollination The Flower ShopMay 1, 2012 - 11:13 am

    The meercat definitely makes up for it!ReplyCancel

  • Mike Cook PhotographyMay 2, 2012 - 5:03 pm

    Thanks Wendy, really pleased you like it…and for your comment, of course!ReplyCancel

Add : 25 Lavery Avenue, Larbert, Stirlingshire FK5 4GF

Tel : 01324 557977

Mob : 07824 380674

Email : mike@mcookphotography.co.uk

Office Hours :

Monday to Friday - 9.00am to 3.00pm

Monday & Wednesday - 8.30pm to 10.00pm (meetings only, no phone calls please)