Five Events, Three Days, and a Lot of Film at Amanzoe: by Norman & Blake

The Gear and Details

Cameras:
Contax G2
Contax 645
Hasselblad 500
Fuji GFX
Sony A1s

Coverage: 2 photographers + an assistant // 20 hours over 3 days

Photographer: Norman & Blake

Setting the Scene

“There were five events over three days. Each event had its own story tied to color, custom paper elements, and custom productions. We had seen the design deck from Candice and knew about the different color elements coming into play throughout the weekend so we really looked out during our B-roll time for elements that would play well within those color schemes. We didn’t create a moodboard but we always do a full scout a couple days before so we can check lighting in the areas we’re needing to shoot in.”

‘Behind the Portrait’
We had found this really beautiful spot on the property that had this nice light bouncing around in it. It’s shot on a Hasselblad 500 which always lends a really intimate and classic perspective, it’s slow and loud in its functioality so it feels like people slow down and give their all when we use it.

Welcome Day(s)

“There were so many creative aspects brought into every event while highlighting the existing naturalism of the space and the destination. Some of the highlights were the Amphitheater Afters which was so fun to shoot and really focused on warm reds and ambers with this really cool projection wall, the greek night using blue fabrications along with butter statues and bread instead of florals on the dinner tables.”

‘Medium Format Details’
This was shot with the Contax 645, for the obvious reason of it just always giving beautiful tones and sharp but soft images. The bts info on this is we asked Candice’s team for a ladder as we had seen this on the design deck and knew the design elements would shine with an overhead view, higher than we could get on just a chair.

‘We’re sort of obsessed with blue hour’
This image was from the first night during civil twilight. We shot it on a G2 with flash as we know that’s what’s going to make her face well lit with the sky looking a lovely blue. We also shot with digital cameras during this point but its the flash film shots that really shine because of the colors it created.

‘The Tripod Shot’
This was a Contax 645 image from a really fun event following the welcome dinner called Afters and it was in this existing amphitheater at Amanzoe. We shot this film image in natural light (likely on tripod) without guests in it, just their shadows. It was such a vibe and this image felt like it captured the energy and unique feel of the space so well.

Getting Ready

“We keep things pretty low-key during getting ready. We’re often focused on shooting some of the details during that time with some light coverage of the couple and any friends hanging out with them during that time.”

Ceremony

“The ceremony was super bright and exposed. We typically have one of us at the front of the aisle for processional and the other in the back for shooting from behind while the bride goes down the aisle, then we sort of do an unspoken dance covering all the angles together. We did use a drone just for the processional, which our assistant flew. We don’t like the noise/distraction element of drones so we land it pretty immediately once the bride is at the front of the aisle.”

Portraits

“For their couple portraits, during our scout we realized there wasn’t a great spot with good light at their rooms, which was unfortunate. There were things that would be fine but not anything that was really singing. There was a passageway in the common lobby areas that did have amazing light though so we chatted with Candice and her team to see if it was feasible to move them down there for that portion of the day. Thankfully everyone was up for making it happen and it felt like it really paid off.”

Reception

“The reception ran the length of the pools at the beach club which was parallel with the ocean. Studio Mondine made this beautiful floral bridge that crossed over the pool to connect the two separate long tables. The lighting company brought in warm ambient lighting to the space and the LED screen that was behind the stage really changed the mood of the event throughout the night with what was displayed on it. We used a mixture of natural light to capture the real feel of the space/event and flash because it makes things feel more fun.”

Closing Thoughts

“There was so much to this wedding, I think 5 events total that were all really unique and different. We really wanted to use the spaces well and show the beauty of Greece and this destination within the framework of the couple’s full gallery delivery.”

— Norman & Blake