Diamonds and Dodging Permits Photo editor Claudia Grimaldi-Marks shares an insider's look at the creative whirlwind of wedding fashion photography.
Elegant Bride was a high-end bridal magazine featuring expensive and “insane” dresses. Monica Cotto, our fashion editor, decided we were going to Paris and wanted Rodney Smith to shoot the story. Who hasn’t dreamed of having a romantic Parisian wedding?
Even back then, Rodney was in high demand, and for good reason. He had a distinctive approach – he wasn’t just photographing, but building a world. His work went beyond simply capturing a moment; it was about crafting a mood, an atmosphere. He wasn’t just taking a picture, he was creating an experience. That’s how the best photographers work.
Most people are suprised to learn what goes into those picture-perfect images you see in magazines. There is an incredible balance between planning and improvisation. It’s about collaboration, vision, and a lot of organized chaos.
Paris was the most fun because we were just adventuring and taking pictures. We didn’t have to build anything, we just had to find it. On pretty much every shoot, Rodney would go off and say “I want to do this”, and we went to great lengths to make it happen – perfectly fitting for the epicness of a fantasy wedding.
One of the main challenges faced in Paris was the lack of permits for desired locations. Rodney, known for his disregard for the word “no”, insisted on shooting in the Tuileries Garden despite not having a permit. This resulted in a stealth operation where he, along with the model, fashion editor, and the art director, went into the garden to shoot while the producers and I anxiously waited outside, ready to fend off the police.
Another challenge was the sheer scale of the production. For the Paris trip, we transported approximately 30 large rolling cases of clothing and equipment, not including Smith’s own gear. In addition, we traveled with a security guard to protect the millions of dollars worth of diamond jewelry. Managing the logistics of such a large operation in a foreign city while simultaneously trying to capture spontaneous and creative images was exciting but stressful.
We were open to unexpected moments, those bursts of inspiration that can sometimes lead to the most memorable images. Rodney had an incredible ability to notice the smallest details, the subtle nuances that most people would overlook.
The iconic photo of the couple holding hands in front of the Eiffel Tower is such a classic romantic image. My recollection is of a magical morning – waking up at 4 am to be on the Trocadero when no one else was around, as the sun was rising, with the Eiffel Tower right there. Just as we were about to dress the model in a gorgeous dress and top hat, an assistant producer found a van unloading warm croissants and bought a tray for the crew.
No matter how stressed we were, when we got the image, we knew it was absolutely worth it. It invoked a feeling of wonder and inspiration: “I want to be her because I love that dress, or because I love this whole idea.”
Rodney was always looking for that unique angle, that unexpected moment. And he wasn’t afraid to break the rules to get it right.
