Wedding gown migratory birds
Anyone who gets married faces the possibility of getting divorced. And during the period before marriage when they have their photos taken, a lot of changes may also occur.
During one of Feng Kuang-hui's photo sessions, only the bride appeared. The groom never showed up. "I didn't ask a thing. I happily took her photos as if nothing was wrong. The only difference was there was no groom."
Quite a few people break up on the day when they have their photos taken. Hsu Ching-sung notes that brides tend to have more photos taken, while grooms want to spend less money. The clash of interests tends to trigger big fights.
"Some people finish having their photos taken, but let them sit here a long time. When we call up to ask, we find out that they have broken up and the marriage was canceled," says Tsai Yung-ho with a grin. Every matrimonial photo company has met up with this kind of problem. So gradually they have raised the deposit to between NT$5000 and NT$10,000, to avoid considerable losses if they cannot collect their money. On the other hand, although the variables in marriage are growing, when the newlyweds pose for their portraits, they still have the cautious psychology, "It only happens once in a lifetime." They hope they can preserve a memory that they'll never forget for the rest of their lives.
However, recently there are some people who use these photos to relive the fantasy moments of the past. Mai Tsan-wen reports that some people will come back every two or three years. Those kind of pictures are commonly called "anniversary photos." Mai observes, "Nowadays, those migratory birds flock back in increasingly larger numbers."
The increase of photogenic fowl returning to roost in the matrimonial photo boutiques may lessen the regret that their pictures weren't perfect the first time. And the past caution people felt toward marriage photos --" once it's snapped, it lasts your whole life"--will probably gradually fade away.
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In all of life, the most wonderful moment is a wedding. If marriage is the most important passage in life, then matrimonial photos are doubtlessly the most beautiful of "records."
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Wedding photos, especially for women, are a big thing in life. For this reason, most photo studio professionals apply special craftsmanship, custom made, to the female form, including the hair-do and the appearance and number of the gowns.
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After the creative stylists work their magic, everyone looks radiant and gorgeous.
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Can't wait to get married! From the moment she tries on her wedding gown, the bride-to-be's heart is filled with the broadest range of emotions, "full of anticipation, yet full of fear."
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A graceful deportment, a lovely, laughing face... to imbue each image with deep feeling, the photographer "directs" each pair of newlyweds.
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From Western-style white gowns and veils, to traditional Chinese-style dresses and suits, to Japanese kimonos, Taiwan's matrimonial photo boutiques have transcended nationality and time. Exaggerated, silly--anything goes. (upper right photo courtesy of Chu Kuang-cheng; lower right photo courtesy of Kuan Mei-feng)
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Old fashioned wedding photos conform to traditional views of marriage. Perhaps they are not sufficiently lively or flowery, but they are stately and true to life. (photo courtesy of T.H. Chen, Sesame Wedding Plaza)
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The gorgeous wedding gowns in the window of the matrimonial photo boutique are the fantasies and hopes of many a young girl. Even married people are unable to resist stopping and gazing for a while.