Nessa K Wrestles Midday Sunlight at Outdoor Maryland Wedding [RF Wedding of the Week]

Baltimore based photographer and one of RF’s 30 Rising Stars 2014, Nessa K continues to be one of the coolest wedding photographers I know (as evidence, her self-made Coconut Milk Creme Brûlée video).

I selected this wedding from her site as a great example of what to do when the bride and groom—in this case, Bekah and Brad—want first-look images during the midday sunlight.

All photos © Nessa K

“The light wasn’t the most flattering because it was close to 1 p.m.,” Nessa says. “There wasn’t a ton of tree cover and there were no clouds in the sky, so I decided to find the most minimalist background possible and I made the photos about the composition instead of the light. Their first look is composed of these minimal, huge landscapes with just a bright field of green grass and blue sky with a small white shape of a bride walking in the blaring sun.”

After the initial first look, Nessa was able to have the couple move under some shady trees for more portraits.

As for gear, Nessa says she keeps it simple. “I shoot with a 5D Mark III and I use the 24mm, 50L, 45 T/S, and 135 the entire day. I keep earplugs for the dance party in my bag with a flash for when the lights go out.”

The venue was Ostertag Vistas, an outdoor venue and barn outside Washington, D.C., in Myersville, MD.

Nessa says the spirit of the couple also added to the day’s success: “I adored Bekah and Brad from the moment I met them because they’re down for anything, creative and sweet. They actually stood at the end of the buffet and served all of their guests their entrees so they could see every single person and hug them and speak with them before they all sat down for their meal.”

For more of Nessa K’s work, visit her website.

Have a wedding you’d love to show off? Email Jessica Gordon.

See past Weddings of the Week here.