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Brides flaunt their dresses in unconventional photos
Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era
Oct 13, 2009 07:59 EST
By SUSAN JURGELSKI, Staff Writer

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Tulle veil tucked delicately into place, pristine white gown worn to perfection, Erica Bare carefully maneuvers her wedding train, slides her feet into blue polka-dot plastic boots and jumps into a creek.

In full bridal attire, the Quarryville resident also leans against the rusted railing of a bridge and leaps into the crystal blue water of a swimming pool.

Like Bare's September wedding the week before, the unbridled activity is all captured through the lens of a camera.

Bare is riding the train of a wedding trend known as "Trash the Dress," a term coined several years ago by Las Vegas photographer John Michael Cooper, who was looking for something different than standard wedding portrait fare.

It's not always literally about trashing the dress, as the name implies, although sessions could lend themselves to a bit of grit and grime.

The goal of "Trash the Dress" is to create art: to produce striking photos of a gown-bedecked brides — tux-wearing grooms are also welcome — in settings where they would not normally be found.

On railroad tracks. In a city alley. Engulfed by an ocean wave.

"I thought, you only get married once, why not?," said Bare, who learned about the TTD idea (shots can be done before or after the ceremony) from bridal magazines.

Photos may incorporate interests of the couple, such as diving or rock climbing, or locales especially meaningful to the bride and groom.

TTD also is about brides reliving their special day on their terms and just letting their hair down, so to speak, although the betrothed in the untraditional shoots generally maintain the look — including the updos — of their wedding day.

The focus isn't on immaculate perfection but on sweeping artistic vision, even rebellion.

TTD isn't necessarily for brides determined to donate their dresses or pass them down to the next generation.

It's definitely for the freer spirit.

"They are portraits with a little more freedom," said Mount Joy photographer Leslie Gilbert.

TTD has been tentatively embraced by a handful of local photographers such as Gilbert, sometimes under a different label. Costs can range from several hundred to more than $1,000, depending on the complexity and time frame of the shoot.

In a county known for traditionalism, the term Trash the Dress can be a little intimidating, said Lancaster photographer Jessica Darrenkamp, who did Bare's wedding and after-wedding shots.

"In this area, you sometimes get raised eyebrows," said Darrenkamp, who has also done a prom dress TTD shoot. "It's truly just a lot of fun."

"I would just love to see it catch on more here," agreed Lancaster photographer Beth Cardwell, who calls her TTD version "Bridal sessions with Flair."

It's never too late for a TTD opportunity.

Cardwell recently photographed a bridally bedecked Renee Heller of Lancaster eight years after her wedding — getting a tattoo, posing in gritty city locations and cooking in her kitchen surrounded by her children.

"When I look back at my wedding pictures, I just feel like I'm a totally different person now," Heller said. "I love to have the opportunity to show how my life has evolved but take it full circle and get back in the dress.

"Four children later, I'm just glad I can still get into (it)."

Lancaster photographer Krisha Martzall calls her TTD version: "Story the Dress."

"I want to see (my clients') personality come through while wearing their dress," she said. "Make your dress a noun, give it an identity.

"Don't just lock it up in storage when its 15 minutes of fame wasn't over. Let the dress speak … "

City photographer Joel Wiebner also doesn't use the TTD label but embraces the creative concept.

"For us, it's about getting brides to be open to alternative portrait locations," he said. "The idea is basically to get the subject open to almost anything — if that means leaning up against a dirty bus or on a curb next to a dirty street — to open their mind."

Themes can be avant-garde, on the edge.

The Wiebners once did a photo shoot with the bride and groom at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, even portraying the bride tied to the railroad tracks.

Photos by the Wiebners reflecting the trend were featured in a 2007 New York Times article.

TTD work by the Wiebners and by Gilbert was also displayed on the original Trash the Dress blog, which was started in 2006 by Louisiana photographer Mark Motichek, who was inspired by Cooper's concept.

A current Web site, www.trashthedress.com, showcases work by TTD photographers.

"We've received a fair amount of feedback from those who love the idea, as well as those who are concerned," Motichek said. "Obviously, the name generates controversy off the bat. Our philosophy is that the sessions should focus on creating art, not destroying dresses."

But don't be surprised if there is a dry-cleaning bill.

No matter, say TTD photographers.

"Why not get the dress a little dirty?" Darrenkamp said. "It just might end up sitting in a closet."

Emily Lemay of Camp Hill said her dress hem post-wedding was already a little grimy when Gilbert did an after-wedding TTD shoot at the Iron Furnace in Marietta.

"I did it because I love (my) dress, although people might not understand that," Lemay said. "It was a reason to put it on again and take it to limits you can't on your wedding day instead of shoving it in a box for 50 years."

"People think 'trash the dress' and you're rolling in a pigpen," she said.

"It's not about that.

"It's about doing something different with (the dress) and displaying it in a totally different way."

sjurgelski@lnpnews.com


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Showing 5 most recent comments out of 7 total TalkBack comments about this article
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QUOTE (Goldilocks @ Oct 13 2009, 06:13 PM)
I just heard of two great bridal cosignment shops recenty, one in Leola, and the other in Elizabethtown. In light of our present economy, wouldn't it be great if these young women wouldn't ruin their dresses, just for the sake of some pictures, but instead give someone else a chance at a lovely dress for a reduced rate from a cosignment shop.

You are exactly right. IDK..ruining/destroying things just isn't in my persona either. I don't 'get ' it...and would rather let someone have my dress who could make another nice memory out of it...even if they altered the dress to 'personalize' it. I know what you mean.
spaylady
QUOTE (spaylady @ Oct 14 2009, 08:08 PM)
You are exactly right. IDK..ruining/destroying things just isn't in my persona either. I don't 'get ' it...and would rather let someone have my dress who could make another nice memory out of it...even if they altered the dress to 'personalize' it. I know what you mean.


Thank you and well said.
Goldilocks
QUOTE (spaylady @ Oct 14 2009, 10:08 PM)
You are exactly right. IDK..ruining/destroying things just isn't in my persona either. I don't 'get ' it...and would rather let someone have my dress who could make another nice memory out of it...even if they altered the dress to 'personalize' it. I know what you mean.


In reply to those who consider a Trash the Dress shoot to be ruining your dress, it's not that at all! I finished my trash the dress shoot a few weeks ago, and my dress is no dirtier than it was after the wedding night and it'll easily clean up with some simple dry-cleaning. The photo shoot for me represented who I've become in respect to that night 8 years ago when I said "I do." It was a beautiful, meaningful way for me to celebrate a milestone in my life (my thirtieth birthday) in a super-artistic sort of way. My dress will clean up beautifully, then will be passed down to one of my four children, or donated to one of the consignment shops you listed. The name "Trash The Dress" can sometimes shed bad light on the photo session, when really, it's just a "Bridal Session with Flair" - Thanks Beth Cardwell!
ReneeMLH
This photo fad/trend has been going on for a number of years. I've seen some really great ones on the WaPo and NY Times a couple of years ago. Some very funny stuff.

As for keeping it and giving it to someone who can't afford a wedding dress. Sorry, I can't totally buy into that. There are tons of wedding dresses for sale at consignment shops already. Some bridal shops are giving away their excess never-worn inventory. Yes, it is the 'nice' thing to do if you want to, but hey, you only get married once. Wait. Nevermind...
harv1
This is a different idea, but since my mom made my wedding dress, I think I'll keep it safe and sound and put away.
Dansgirl
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