This week, we take a look at a variety of images that captured our attention and evoked thoughtful photo memories. Read the cool backstories and executions on each of these portraits below.

This photo is taken just before the first dance at the Lakeside Hotel in the west of Ireland, says photographer Ronan Palliser.  “All the guests were behind me and while I did also shoot their reactions, I wanted to first ensure I had an eye-catching photo of the two grooms.” 

Palliser says he uses flash at weddings in the evening, but for fireworks photos, he prefers a video light or perhaps two. “That usually suits the videographer better also, so with a good working relationship you can both achieve the desired result by correctly placing a single video light and working the angles,” he explains. “Here it’s at camera right. It’s subtle but fills the shadows on the grooms. The low angle is partially for impact, but also because in front of the grooms was a car park so I’ve excluded.”

He continues: “Finally I suggested to the couple that they stand a few paces in front of their guests. This gives me space to work and frame up a shot of them against the sky, but also to turn and get good guest reaction shots once the smoke has started to build up.”

[Read: 8 Tips for Photographing Fireworks at Weddings]

Traci Edwards of Adventure + Vow says this image was taken at Deception Pass State Park in Washington and she was low to the ground and far back from her couple to get the shot. “I love their reflection and the beautiful colors that are showcased here from the midday light.” [Editor’s Note: Edwards explains to us that there is no tree reflection shown here because she removed it—”I found it too distracting and taking away from the couple.”]

The couple wanted images, she continues, that depicted how they live their life—outside. “As avid thru-hikers and van lifers, when not on the trail they are very immersed in the outdoors, Edwards explains. “They are also a fairly private couple, so they didn’t want a lot of images of them kissing, being romantic. In the end, I wanted to create images that told more of a story about the outdoor world around them that they love being a part of.”

[Read: How to Price Elopement Photography and Determine Your Value (No Undercutting!)]

Ben Ingram says he just happened to notice this light beam passing through the window of the cabin where the bride was getting ready in Yosemite National Park.

“As we were headed out for the First Look images, I made it a point to position myself to frame the image as she passed through it,” he explains. “I knew that the natural dust that collects in old cabins would create an interesting visual effect, but instead of shaking all the pillows I used a bit of atmospheric spray prior to the bride entering the room. While I very much love completely candid/documentary wedding images, sometimes you need to give the scene a little bit of help. As always, I try to capture images that tell the overall story of the day. With old cabins, dust is common, and I wanted to represent the feel of this classic Yosemite building without setting off anyones allergies.”  

Colorado-based wedding photographer Lucy Schultz took this image of couple Kacie and Pete at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado.

“The couple had just finished roasting their last marshmallow and were ready to turn into their tent for the night after their camping elopement,” says Schultz. “I loved the look of the lanterns and wanted to show the embers of the fire, so I layered in second and third exposures of the glowing campfire in-camera.

Rosalinda Olivares says this image evokes many emotions in her. “The passage of time in space and people is something that has always fascinated me. Being able to portray all stages of people’s lives is beautiful—from the birth of a baby, young families, weddings and older couples—it’s a beautiful thing. Create memories and help people build their family photo albums. Capturing the beauty of everyday life and the small things that often got unnoticed.”

When photographing people, Olivares likes to talk to them about the construction of photo memories and the passage of time. “I tell them about how these photos will tell stories to people who are not yet born. About how those pictures will remind them of how they were in these times when they are older and looking at them.

[Read: How to Build a Successful Portrait Photography Business]

“Portraying Juanita and Enrique [above and below] in Monterrey, Mexicco, was like transporting me to the future,” she says. “We did the session on a family property, which was also very special, and I thought about everything they had already built in 50 years of marriage. They are a lovely couple and while I felt a little intimidated at first, I managed them as I would portray couples of my age and tried to make everything flow the same way. I loved the result. In the end there is no distinction when love is genuine. These portraits are part of the family’s photo memories.”

The hotel room where this bride was getting ready [below] was crowded, small and dark, says Christine Ashburn.

“The only location where I could utilize natural light was a very small spot next to a door that contained a full length window,” she explains. “To capture this portrait, I put the bride to the right of the door, underexposed the image and feathered the light to create a dramatic silhouette. Creativity, for me, is about problem solving light. For this reason, I found this portrait to be very satisfying.”

Dig into our Photo of the Day archives for even more compelling photo memories and other eye-catching images you won’t want to miss out on!  Send your wedding portraits, editorial, documentary and commercial image submissions to: jacqueline.tobin@emeraldx.com