wedding of Erin & Steven, Marriot Beach Resort, Grand Cayman

In a small, intimate ceremony January 15th, Erin and Steve were married just before sunset at the Marriot Beach Resort in Grand Cayman. Francine Jackson of Cayman Weddings performed the ceremony. The courtyard at the hotel is possibly the lushest, most tropical looking place in all of Cayman, with a winding lagoon surrounded by broad leaf palms and flowers I don't know the names of. An excellent place for wedding photographs!!

www.jimgatesphotography.com

Caybrew 2011 Calendars

Inspired by the iconic image from the film American Beauty, this image was created for Caybrew for the first in a series of 2011 calendars. First I'd like to say a big thanks to Rachel Boraston for modeling. She is very patient, follows instruction well, and is a great to work with.

The shoot was challenging as I was perched on a make-shift scaffolding. I used five lights in an attempt to recreate the lighting in the movie poster: a large umbrella as a mainlight, two gridded speedlights and two strobes with reflectors. Each speedlight lit under an arm. One strobe I placed low and above Rachel to highlight her hair and shoulders, covering part of strobe so as not to spill light onto her face and body.  The other strobe I positioned low and below Rachel to add definition to her legs and add light to her face from a low angle.

Rachel was shot on a white backdrop. I took pictures of a single bottle cap, and a small pile of caps to create the background in photoshop.

Look for the Calendars in cases of Caybrew!!

John & Leonie, married at Kaibo Dec 30 2010

John & Leonie married just before the new year, at the beautiful Cayman Villas property Fantasea,

located in Cayman Kai. The ceremony took place on the property's private beach under tall coconut palms. The dock right behind the ceremony offered up some great picture opportunities. Thanks John & Leonie for having me photograph your wedding!
www.jimgatesphotography.com