Waiting in the Dark | Father and Daughter Wedding Moment

As 2022 wraps up, I find myself looking back on the year, just like many of us do. I’m starting a new series of images, and this photo means a lot to me. I’ve always been drawn to fathers and their daughters, probably because I’m a dad myself. It’s hard to believe my own girls are now amazing teenagers! I took this shot at the entrance of Otoko restaurant at the South Congress Hotel in Austin, Texas. We were all tucked away before the wedding ceremony began—the wedding planner, the restaurant manager, and me. The space was small and dimly lit by a single lamp. We waited quietly, knowing the doors would soon open for the father to walk his daughter down to the ceremony.

Like with most documentary photography, I had to work with tight angles and avoid guests or the restaurant manager getting in the shot. I’m always on the lookout for a touch, a glance, or an unexpected gesture, and I try to stay open to whatever happens.
There’s always a lot to pay attention to, but if I sense an emotional moment coming, I wait patiently. I never try to force anything to happen, because I don’t want to change the story. And sometimes, it’s fine if I don’t capture anything at all.

How to shoot

Earlier this year, another photographer watched me work and asked how I always seem to catch moments at just the right time. There are a few things I do. First, I pay close attention to body language. Second, I know my camera’s settings so well that I can adjust them without looking. Every photographer should be able to use their camera almost with their eyes closed. Third, I’m familiar with my frame lines and usually shoot with a 35mm lens. Fourth, I keep moving and get into position, always trying to avoid distractions in the shot. Fifth, I train myself to imagine the shot before it happens rather than just react. While doing all this, I keep my Leica manually prefocused with my finger ready on the focus ring, so I can quickly fine-tune and get the shot in focus through the rangefinder.

Photo captured with a Leica M10 Monochrom + 35 lens shot arouI took this photo with a Leica M10 Monochrom and a 35mm lens, shot at about f1.4 and ISO 25,000. Next week, I’ll share a recap of my favorite images from 2022. You can find more photos like this here and here, and I’ve included more links below.