{"id":7987,"date":"2020-01-29T10:36:51","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T10:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travisharris.com\/blog\/?p=7987"},"modified":"2023-11-27T16:12:04","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T16:12:04","slug":"diplomat-beach-resort-wedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travisharris.com\/blog\/diplomat-beach-resort-wedding\/","title":{"rendered":"DIPLOMAT BEACH RESORT WEDDING | Rita & Rob"},"content":{"rendered":"

DIPLOMAT BEACH RESORT WEDDING<\/h2>\n

[dropcap]I[\/dropcap]’ll start by saying how ashamed I am that it has taken as long as it has to post this incredible Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding to my blog!\u00a0 But, as it turned out I am glad (and I will explain why in a moment).\u00a0 First, let me tell you a little about Rita and Rob who over the years have turned into way more than just “clients”… they are good friends of mine and some of my biggest supporters.\u00a0 Now before I get into all the details on this Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding, Ill tell you about when I first met Rita and Rob.\u00a0 It was on the engagement session, which we did up in Palm Beach (that post will come later).\u00a0 I dont think either of us will forget this session because it was not easy!\u00a0 The weather was SO hot and SO humid that it made it so hard for photos.\u00a0 But, regardless we pulled off some great images of them and all was well.\u00a0 The part that “I” will never forget is what came after.\u00a0 They invited myself and assistant to dinner.\u00a0 But, this was no regular dinner it was dinner in a gas station!\u00a0 Yes, that’s right… a gas station.\u00a0 Apparently there is this amazing little place that is built into a real gas station right in Miami, and not any restaurant but one of the best I have been too.\u00a0 I had the skirt steak with wine.. and it was mind blowing.\u00a0 The entire experience was just incredible and during dinner we got to talk more about the wedding and I got to learn so much about them.\u00a0 [perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]This was such a great idea! All wedding couples should take their photographer out for dinner!\u00a0 The bond you can make is priceless and this really helps on the wedding day for sure.[\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n

There is more to this story…\u00a0 but, I am going to pause now and talk about this Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding.\u00a0 Also if you want to see more of this hotel, you can check their site out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

First, the Diplomat Beach Resort is very close to where I live here in Aventura, FL.\u00a0 It’s on A1A and being a cyclist I bike past this hotel all the time.\u00a0 I have always loved it and always wanted to shoot a wedding here.\u00a0 I knew the day would come where I would shoot a\u00a0Westin Diplomat Wedding,\u00a0 I guess fiat just wanted me to be sure I had the best clients possible and so it was worth the wait.<\/p>\n

I am going to open this Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding post with a creative shot (below).\u00a0 This really (I think) would be the “iconic” image that would sum up the day and location.<\/p>\n

\"ARob got ready in a big conference room in the hotel on the wedding day with his guys. \"Groom \"Groom \"StyledWe took them outside for some group shots shortly after Rob was all ready.\u00a0 Of course I got all the “normal” photos of the guys looking at the camera and smiling (thats a given), however I am choosing to post this one where they broke the “pose” and start to laugh at some ridiculous comment I made.\u00a0 To me this looks very natural and is more interesting. \"ASome of the brides detail items.\u00a0 The shoes specifically, were just stunning.\u00a0 Really.\u00a0 We all have seen some sexy red bottoms before.. but these take it to a whole new level for the wedding day! \"Final \"Fun \"AThis shot (above) is one that I want to talk about.\u00a0 In fact, there is not another shot in this entire post that is more reflective of “me” as the photographer than this one right here.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Well, you are looking at thinking “wow, he did a good job capturing a candid moment”.\u00a0 So, you would assume that I am proud of my ability to “get the shot”.\u00a0 Oh, wrong you are..\u00a0 let me explain..\u00a0 You see, like most weddings, including this amazing Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding the girls are generally all over the place.\u00a0 They are doing all of the “normal” stuff..\u00a0 they are talking, on their phones, some are in one room and some are in another.. one left to go down stairs, and one is in the bathroom.\u00a0 See my point?\u00a0 Getting ALL of the girls in one place, focused AND doing something that makes sense (and worthy of a photo) is never.. (let me say that again) IS NEVER just going to “happen”.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 It wont.\u00a0 10 years of shooting weddings.. it never just happens like this.\u00a0 \u00a0This was all my doing.\u00a0 I told the girls to go and grab their dresses.\u00a0 I told them where to stand, I told them to look at each other.. and then using my personality I built momentum in conversation to “create” the moment that I knew would make sense and would (should) be happening.\u00a0 To me, this is what makes a really top notch photographer.\u00a0 MAKE IT HAPPEN! \"MomMom and Grandmother helping Rita into her elegant wedding dress, which was designed by Berta.\u00a0 Berta wedding dresses are by far my favorite dress of all time when it comes to weddings. \"ShowingNow, if your wondering “did I create this shot too, or was that a real moment” the answer is both.\u00a0 Yes, before she started getting dressed I told them the best place to stand.. but in this case there is action in the shot, so I am far away with my camera shooting as things unfold.\u00a0 This way I get the best of both worlds, and some genuine emotion such as the shot above with Rita and Grandmother. \"A \"BrideI have long spoken about shooting details with meaning.\u00a0 This is a great example.\u00a0 Notice that I did not bother including a silly photo of her amazing Berta wedding dress on a hanger in the window?\u00a0 Yeah, I took the shot.. and Rita has it.\u00a0 She may love it, but its not needed when you take photos like this.\u00a0 So rather than a “ghost” looking photo of the dress I focused on shooting details WITH Rita in it \ud83d\ude09\u00a0 Between the above, and below photos I instantly covered..\u00a0 back of the dress, front of the dress, hair piece, sexy shoes, earrings, close up detail of the dress sleeves.\u00a0 All of which contain the bride too. \"Bride \"BrideNow we are going to get into why I loved this Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding so much.\u00a0 The location.\u00a0 It truly is unique and had some incredible decor to play around with for photos.\u00a0 I started with the main lobby with just Rita.\u00a0 First things first, we needed to show off that dress and I wanted to get some styled and posed shots of her in it.\u00a0 I think the two above were perfect, as she looks like one of the catalog models wearing it \ud83d\ude42 \"SecondsThe next interesting place in this Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding, was this “sky walk” section of the hotel which was very quite and non populated.\u00a0 It made the first look location easy. \"Brides \"BridesEven from this camera position the design in the roof was so cool.\u00a0 Loved this place. \"Cute \"GroomI am sure he was just making sure the back of the dress was secure \ud83d\ude09 \"Bride \"StyledNow because they did a first look, they were rewarded with more time and less stress.\u00a0 The means, more shots.\u00a0 Yeah, I really did love this Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding because of all the places we could easily go for a different look.\u00a0 Great lobby balcony, hotel room views, ocean, etc.. you name it we did it. \"Bride \"MusicWhenever we have an outdoor wedding ceremony I always prey to the rain, sun, and wind gods.\u00a0 LOL.\u00a0 Thankfully they all were listening on this day. \"GroomLooking at the above two images, and below two images.\u00a0 This is a great story telling example of how a wedding album would also be laid out.\u00a0 The first image top left intros that this was a Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding by showing the hotel in a wide shot with Rob walking down.\u00a0 Then, we cut to a close up of him to bring in the emotion. \"BrideNext we have the groom (Rob’s) reaction to the bride coming down the isle.\u00a0 Which, of course is paired with that very image of Rita walking down with dad.\u00a0 Again, I need to remind people that just because you do a first look does NOT mean you loose any emotion when it comes time for the ceremony.\u00a0 I assure you, it is very different and the benefits of a first look can not be underestimated. \"The \"Some \"CandidThe look that Rob is giving Rita here..\u00a0 priceless. \"AAnother nice thing about this Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding, is that the ceremony “looks” like a beach wedding, but without all the annoying sand.\u00a0 That’s pretty cool. \"Full \"A \"After \"Moments \"Candid \"Bride \"CloseSome of the reception room details.\u00a0 \u00a0So, this brings up another really interesting thing about this (or any) Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding..\u00a0 and that is that connected to the hotel is basically an entire conference center.\u00a0 Its HUGE with many rooms and many options for lots of events.\u00a0 This really is a “do it all” hotel! \"First \"Groom \"Bride \"HotYes, yes the girl in the red dress caught my attention. \ud83d\ude42 \"Candid \"Photo \"Dancing \"PhotoboothDid you know that I have the best photobooth anywhere in Miami?\u00a0 Yep, its true.\u00a0 THE BEST!\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 well because it can accommodate large groups of people, is super fast, and projects the images as they are being taken life size on a huge screen where everyone in the reception can see!\u00a0 So much more than just a “photobooth” this is entertainment!\u00a0 You can learn more about my photobooth by clicking here. \"Crazy \"Photobooth \"Bride \"Funny<\/p>\n

Now, normally this is where my blog post would end..\u00a0 but for this Diplomat Beach Resort Wedding, no, no, no..\u00a0 there is more to talk about.\u00a0 \u00a0Remember in the starting paragraph when I spoke of that I was glad that I waited to post this wedding?\u00a0 Well the reason is because when I flew to Las Vegas and taught my 5 day workshop on lighting..\u00a0 I needed a bridal model and who do you think was up for the challenge?\u00a0 Yup!\u00a0 Rita!\u00a0 She loved the opportunity to put back on her Berta Wedding Dress, fly to Las Vegas and join me in some amazing photoshoots!\u00a0 Now, I have a whole blog post dedicated to just that trip (you can see that here).<\/a>\u00a0 But here are a few clips from Rita’s time with us out in Las Vegas..<\/p>\n

\"Las This image of Rita in the desert, with her Berta Wedding Dress<\/a> has to be one of my favorite all time photos.\"Las \"Las \"Las<\/p>\n

You can also take a look at some really cool Behind The Scenes Video that we made with her here:<\/p>\n