BLACKRAPID Guest Post by Misti Marquette | Bohemia Photography

YOU LOVE THE DESTINATION SO MUCH, SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA MOVE THERE

I am a risk-loving, dream-doing, taco-addicted destination wedding photographer living #yolo to it’s finest with my husband (and fellow photography partner, Colin) and my cat Marley. We’ve been living in Mexico for almost 7 years, because when you love the destination so much, sometimes you gotta move there. We specialize in weddings across Mexico and underwater wedding photography, which usually takes place in Mexico’s underwater caves, called “cenotes.” Fun fact: I have been using the same exact Black Rapid straps for my entire career which spans over 500 weddings! So if there are 2 constants in my life, it’s tacos and my beloved Black Rapid straps (and my husband of course).

DON’T FORCE IT

If your client feels uncomfortable in a pose, it’s not going to look good on camera, period. Don’t be afraid to say “Is that uncomfortable?” and change it up if it is. Don’t force it! If they feel uncomfortable being on camera at all, choose a walking shot. Movement always helps ease the nerves and helps them look more natural on camera. Last resort, jokes. Sacrifice your dignity for the sake of laughter and a more comfortable client.

OUR BUILDING WAS ON FIRE

Two years ago, we were traveling around Mexico and had just arrived to our next hotel and I was backing up the 5th wedding we had shot while traveling onto an external hard drive (I always back up on 3 drives while traveling and 1 always stays on my body). Someone started pounding on our door and when we opened it up there was nothing but an orange, blazing inferno on the other side. Our building was on fire, and there was no alarm. We had 5 seconds or less to decide what to get from our room. We stacked all our gear, computers, etc. in our arms and at the last second I grabbed the hard drive I was just backing up with my teeth and ran out the door.In the end, everyone survived- we actually grabbed ALL of our gear, and nobody’s wedding photos were lost. It was a good lesson in backing up wedding photos as soon as possible, because you never know what will happen.

WHAT’S IN MY BAG

• My always and forever Black Rapid straps
• 4 Nikon D750 camera bodies
• 1 Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4, 1 Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4, 1 Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4, 1 Sigma Art 105mm f/1.4 & 1 Vintage Nikkor 52mm f/2.0 for details
• 4 Yungnuo Speedlights, 2 Yungnuo Triggers, 1 Flashbender & 1 Magmod Diffuser and Grid & 1 Light stand
• 1 Fillex P100 Video Light

Misti Marquette, founder of Bohemia Photography, is a Wedding and Underwater Photographer based in Redondo Beach, California.

Find out more about her on her website http://www.bohemia-photography.com and be sure to follow her on Instagram @bohemiaphotography and her Facebook page @bohemiaphotographyus.