My Biggest Photography Job to Date – Shooting at Bridal Fashion Week

Today I’m excited to share some details and photos from my biggest professional photography job to date – shooting runway shows and presentations at last year’s Bridal Fashion Week for mywedding.com. It was an incredible experience – equal parts exciting, stressful, crazy, and wonderful!

Overall it turned out to be three 12 hour (ish) days of shooting all over the city – runway shows, presentations, showroom visits…from the Upper East Side to Chelsea Piers and everywhere in between. The photos in this post are from the Viktor and Rolf Mariage collection – the brand’s first foray into bridal.

As you can probably imagine, I saw, and photographed, a LOT of wedding dresses for this job (in fact, I saw more wedding dresses than I could have possibly imagined existed in the entire world), but my very, very favorites were these at Viktor and Rolf. In fact, to be honest, I’d really had it up to my eyeballs with wedding dresses by the end, but these were like a wonderful palette cleanser.

The collection is not only incredibly beautiful, but so creative and unique. And yet, as fashion-forward and artistic as they are, they still feel classic, not like something trendy someone would wear and years later, regret. They hit the perfect note between NOT cliche (difficult to do for bridal, I would imagine), yet not over-the-top. I’m talking serious perfection – works of art. I am so, so happy that not only did I get to see them, but actually photograph them.

This was a very kind of casual and off-the-cuff photo shoot during our showroom visit – the models just put on various dresses for me to shoot, and as soon as I finished one they’d go off and change into another. My only regret is that I didn’t get to shoot all of the collection – sadly we had to rush off to another show before I could get through them all!

This was my first time shooting models (honestly it was pretty much my first time shooting people at all), and I have to say, it was such a pleasure. It was cool to see the way that they just know how to pose and what facial expression to make – I mean, look at how the model is holding her hands in the shot above – I’m so impressed. They even know how to hold their hands in the best possible way!

Everyone really flipped over this dress. It’s a beauty.

I love that open back.

I love this shot of the skirt flying up behind the model – a stylist behind her was floofing the gown and I just kept clicking away.

This little behind-the-scenes shot is another favorite – a candid moment.

Overall, the whole job was amazing and a wonderful opportunity, and I’m really grateful to have had the experience. Truthfully, I rarely feel “proud” of myself and am always super critical of my own work (I’m sure others can relate to that!), and I’m sure these pictures aren’t technically “perfect”, but I actually felt proud of myself for these photos, and for pulling off the whole job, since it was really outside the box for me. It was one of those “say yes and figure it out later,” type things, and it always feel good in hindsight when those don’t fully blow up in your face, right?

Would you guys be interested in seeing a few of the runway shots, or hearing a little more about this job? I know wedding dresses aren’t what anyone comes to this blog to see so just curious to hear any thoughts. Thanks for reading!

photography by Jacqueline Clair

Leave a Comment

  1. These photos are beautiful! Though I’m no where near close to getting married, I love looking at wedding dresses. (They’re so gorgeous!) Congrats on the opportunity, so exciting and the photos came out great!

    Published 1.16.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Thank you so much Diana!

      Published 1.17.17 · Reply
  2. Alex wrote:

    I think you did a wonderful job! I don’t come here for wedding dresses, but I would LOVE to see more of your work and read about it. The Viktor & Rolf collection certainly looks dreamy.

    Published 1.16.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      I’m so glad, I’ll definitely share more soon!

      Published 1.17.17 · Reply
  3. Dana wrote:

    um WOW, these are seriously stunning photos Jackie!!

    Published 1.16.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Thanks Dana! I think it would be hard to take a bad picture of these gorgeous dresses 🙂

      Published 1.17.17 · Reply
  4. Patti wrote:

    You did an amazing job as always!!!!
    Yes, Inwould love to see more from this day?

    Published 1.16.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Thanks Patti!

      Published 1.17.17 · Reply
  5. Monica wrote:

    Umm, these are incredible! You have such an eye and are so talented. Yes please, to more details!

    Published 1.16.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      You’re the sweetest, thanks Monica! Will definitely share more soon!

      Published 1.17.17 · Reply
  6. Jackie,

    Congratulations on getting this opportunity. I love the idea of saying yes and figuring it out later, it makes for less second guessing. 🙂

    These pictures are amazing!! Would love to hear more about how this came about for you and see more pictures.

    I have no doubt that you’ll get some similar opportunities in the future.

    Published 1.16.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Aw thanks Maria…I certainly hope so!

      Published 1.17.17 · Reply
  7. Debbie wrote:

    Love the jumpsuit! Viktor & Rolf are spectacular….always the signature bows. Great photos…I’m impressed by it all. Good luck!

    Published 1.17.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Thanks Debbie! Love the jumpsuit too, so modern.

      Published 1.17.17 · Reply
  8. Great photos, and such a great opportunity for you! Congratulations! Love that jumpsuit – would be such a cool option for an off-beat / less traditional wedding!

    Published 1.18.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Thank you Shirsha!

      Published 1.22.17 · Reply
  9. Dorothy wrote:

    These dresses are stunning and the photos even more so. You did an amazing job especially just jumping into a new venture. Congrats!! Would LOVE to see more

    Published 1.18.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      More on the way! xoxo

      Published 1.22.17 · Reply
  10. Gretchen wrote:

    You did a fabulous job. Congratulations on getting this assignment1

    Published 1.19.17 · Reply
    • York Avenue wrote:

      Thanks Gretchen!

      Published 1.22.17 · Reply