Untitled (photographic equipment getting set up for bridal portrait) c. 1940

This photograph by Paul Gittings captures the setup for a bridal portrait, revealing the stagecraft behind an image of matrimony. Consider the pose of the bride, reminiscent of countless depictions of idealized women across art history, from classical sculptures to Renaissance paintings. The act of posing itself becomes a ritual, a performance of societal expectations. The equipment—the camera, lights, and backdrop—speak to a calculated construction of beauty, framing the bride within a carefully curated tableau. This pre-wedding ritual is not too dissimilar from the ancient Roman marriage ceremonies that used veils to ward off evil spirits or bring good luck. Across time, the symbols of marriage, like veils and staged poses, persist. The evolution of photography allows us to dissect and democratize this tradition. Each era adds its own layer to this layered cultural performance, as modern wedding photography borrows from high art and popular culture alike. The emotional weight of this moment, amplified by its documentation, resonates with a collective unconscious. The photograph captures not just an individual’s story, but also the enduring power of tradition, reminding us how symbols continually resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.