The Perfect Imperfect: The Wedding Photographs of John Dolan redefines the genre. For over 35 years, Dolan has chronicled the ritual of marriage in all its chaos. Following Dolan’s 2021 exploration of the wedding, this expanded edition published by Damiani Books features more than 35 new photographs, with images of Gwyneth Paltrow, AnnaSophia Robb, and a poignant portfolio of the White House wedding of Naomi Biden. Stunning locations include those in the USA, Rome, Bahamas, London and Dublin to Schull, Clifton to Cashel.
Dolan has quietly pursued emotional and revealing art within the wedding day. He aims his camera at tiny moments of deep meaning, perfectly imperfect scenes at the start of a marriage. The wedding is one of society’s last and lasting ceremonies—universal in its presence, comprehensive in its emotion. Dolan’s candor, his respectful discretion, and his gentle but shrewd and powerful observation combine to make a book that transcends weddings and enlightens us on the human condition.
“Each image is provocative, detailed, important, relevant, and memorable,” writes Martha Stewart in the foreword. “John Dolan encourages his subjects to be bold, to show their emotions, and to allow his lens to capture private as well as more open moments…John has shown us what is possible in the many ways he has made wedding photography a true art form, competing perfectly with painters of old, who barely had time to do one sketch of the betrothed couple to paint at a later date.”
Dolan’s work offers a sociological view of communities and explores the mysteries of families. According to Dolan, each event follows a similar dramatic arc, and the book is structured to match: “Act 1: Preparation. The couple readies themselves separately, each with their kin. Act 2: Union. The two sides come together to join hands, relieved, and separate from their birth families. Act 3: Celebration. Both sides break bread and sing and dance and become a wedding party.” Sylvia Plachy contributes the Afterword.
“Weddings exist at the crossroads of everything I love to photograph: families, lovers, nervous people. It’s the ultimate high-wire act,” said Dolan. “A camera is invisible in the middle of bedlam and that frees a photographer to record quietly.”
About the Author
John Dolan has influenced a generation of contemporary wedding photographers. He is an artist who chose weddings as his subject, fascinated by the complexity of this shared ritual. His work has been widely published and celebrated in major magazines and sought after by a variety of thoughtful clients from Martha Stewart to Jerry Seinfeld. Dolan divides his time between New York City, the Berkshires and Ireland.
The Perfect Imperfect: The Wedding Photographs of John Dolan
Damiani Books
Clth, 9.75 x 12.75 in. / 280 pgs / 63 color / 151 bw.
ISBN 9788862088237
List Price: $95.00 CAD $140.00
https://www.damianibooks.com/en/collections/dolan-john?srsltid=AfmBOor46I6U7gAWCbaeJgClEK7NDN7gPMHNbd76tS8u3kIndy8Biwlw
