by Jamie Gray

It is fascinating to think of what the “Perfect Wedding Shoot” would be like. Every wedding couple I have met seems to have their own unique opinion of the sort of pictures they want for their wedding, hence, from years ago, I have stopped trying to be the perfect wedding photographer for everyone. I honestly believe it is wiser to stay true to one’s shooting style and to one’s aesthetic convictions, and let the clients who love your style come to you! My ‘perfect wedding’ to photograph is not necessarily a big glitzy overseas or inter-state assignment – though I don’t mind getting them! A great wedding shoot for me could be one that had posed a lot of technical challenges – lighting, weather, obstructions, etc – that I had overcome successfully, and one where in the end, the client is thrilled with the results, none the wiser of the hardships that the poor photographer had to undergo. I’d also consider a great shoot to be one during which I had gained the full trust and friendship of the bride and groom, as well as the bridal party, and one where I could sense that everybody genuinely enjoyed being part of the photographic process.
 
I get a tremendous thrill and satisfaction whenever I present my ‘favourite 100 images’ slide show of the day at the reception just before the usual speeches begin. A lot of photographers are often amazed that I am confident enough with my photography to screen straightfrom- camera, ‘best of the day’ images. I love the fact that whenever I start a slide show, a silence comes over the crowd when the first few images are seen, then after a few more, some one will always let out a cheer or a shout, and then more cheers, laughter, clapping, and frequently, tears will follow as the show gets on. I get a big kick out of this. I’d like to say that my ability to do these picture-shows comes from the confidence I have in my camera equipment – I have used Olympus exclusively for the last four years with stunning results

The Olympus DSLR system has had some fantastic developments in technology and image quality over the last four years. One of the things I really love about the system is the fact that I have never had to worry about dust on the sensor. I have not had to clean one camera sensor or retouch out dust spots in any of my pictures ever since I started using the Olympus E-System cameras. Even today, it seems to be the only system out in the market that works in a truly fuss-free manner

Being a specialist ‘people’ photographer, natural-looking skin tone and skin colour reproduction are probably the most important things that I look for in a DSLR camera. The skin colour generated by the Olympus system is better than any other DSLR camera system that I have seen. As I often have assistants and secondphotographers shooting with me at many weddings who would be using other brands of DSLR cameras, I have been able to compare the image quality of a lot of different DSLR makes and models over the years. Frankly, I have yet to see a camera system reproduce better overall colour than the Olympus E-System DSLRs. The E-3’s LiveMOS sensor chip and the Truepic III image engine combine to produce such depth of colour and image quality, that we’ve been able to consistently sell 30x40 inch prints at my portrait studio in the Northern Beaches in Sydney (Limelite Studio in Warriewood). And I should point out that the E-3 is only 10 megapixels. It’s really quite bizarre for me to hear about photographers talking about the supposed penalties of the ‘small’ 4/3 sensor on the Olympus cameras when I am selling such large sized prints to happy clients on a regular basis.

The Olympus Zuiko Digital lens system would have a lot to do with the incredible picture quality that these cameras are capable of. A key part of their “Four Thirds System” design, these fully digital lenses are a big component in their 100% digital SLR system. I shoot a lot of weddings in low-light environments so a stabiliser feature is an absolute must-have. Olympus has placed their stabiliser system in the camera body which is incredibly convenient, since this allows all my lenses to benefit from stabilisation, and not just a few choice ones. It’s important to me that everything from my f4 7mm ultrawide lens (the 7-14mm with a 14-28mm 135 format perspective) to my f2.8 90-250mm telephoto zoom (180-500mm equivalent) are completely stabilised. At ISO 400, I can usually hand-hold my camera in practically the darkest of churches or rooms with sharp, shake-free results because their system is effective to 4 to 5 stops. The unique Olympus “Four Thirds” DSLR design also allows for considerably smaller and lighter camera bodies and lenses than a lot of other brands. A light and compact DSLR system can literally save your back when you’re carrying a full kit around all day. I don’t think there’s a photographer out there who would mind carrying less weight in equipment! I have also had to shoot in heavy rain or by the sea at times, and my E-3 (and my E-1 before it) and professional series lenses with weatherproof gaskets and seals have always survived the elements with no problems. I have even seen an E-3 cop a full jug of water to no ill effect!
 
I think to be able to photograph your perfect wedding comes from having total faith and trust in your equipment. This allows you to completely focus on capturing amazing images that help to recall the fantastic memories of the wedding day that your clients will remember forever.

Key benefits of the Olympus E Series DSLR
Advanced Zuiko Digital optics (14mm-600mm fi • lm equivalent range)
• Image stabilisation of 4 to 5 EV stops built into camera bodies
• Advanced Dust Control
• Live View
• World’s fastest Auto Focus system (E-3)*
• Four Thirds design for the ultimate in imaging quality and system portability
• Professional class weather-proof magnesium alloy body (E-3)
* Olympus in-house testing with the Olympus 12-60mm SWD lens The Olympus E-3 is the world’s fastest* autofocusing Digital SLR camera. It’s groundbreaking technology delivers superb image quality with a built-in Image Stabiliser capable of up to 5 EV stops of stabilisation, with the fi nest Dust-Reduction system in the industry. With rugged reliability and a free-angle Live View screen, the Olympus E-3 is the perfect DSLR camera for demanding photographers shooting in the most challenging environments. See Olympus advertisement page 8 moRe CReaTIVe fReedom The E-3’s Live View capability is enhanced with a flip-out, variable-angle LCD screen, providing maximum Live View shooting fl exibility in high and low-angle photography, both in vertical or horizontal shooting camera positions.
 
 

 
More creative freedom 
The E-3’s Live View capability is enhanced with
a flip-out, variable-angle LCD screen, providing maximum Live View shooting flexibility in high
and low-angle photography, both in vertical or horizontal shooting camera positions.

Biography of Jamie Gray 
I started shooting in Year 10 at Narrabeen High. They had a nice little darkroom there and I took photography as an elective. Around the same time I got picked up by Chadwick Model Management and began modelling for fashion shoots and TV commercials. As a model,
I got a really good behind-the-scenes perspective of the modelling/fashion industry. I eventually started asking the photographers I got to work with if I could be a second assistant at some of their other shoots. It turned out to be a lot of bag carrying and getting coffees! During that time, I got to see some really great photographers at work: James Houston, Paul Freeman and Robyn Celleck. A few years later I spent some time working as assistant to Elsa Hutton, Richard Dillon and Trudy Van De Wint – all amazing learning opportunities which I am grateful for.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After working freelance for close to a decade shooting mostly for fashion-oriented magazines and clients, I recently opened Limelite Studio, which is a portrait studio focusing on studio and location portrait commissions

 We have a fresh, fun and relaxed approach to our sittings which appeals well to our Northern Beaches and North Shore clientele. Limelite Studios is 12 months old and we’re shooting
7 and more shoots a week.
I highly recommend professional photographers join the AIPP as it aims to raise the standards of professionalism throughout the pro photography industry in Australia.
 
 
Jamie has won the following awards;
2008 Silver Distinction, Landscape Category, NSW AIPP
2008 Silver Distinction, Portrait Category, NSW AIPP
2008 Silver, Portrait Category, NSW AIPP
2008 Silver, Wedding Category, NSW AIPP
2008 Silver, Wedding Category, NSW AIPP
2008 Silver, Landscape Category, National AIPP
2008 Silver, Landscape Category, National AIPP
2007 Silver, Landscape Category, National AIPP
2007 Silver, Illustrative Category, National AIPP