Customer Reviews

Exposed: Confessions of a Wedding Photographer: A Memoir

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After hearing Claire Lewis interviewed on NPR, I (a budding film photographer) couldn't wait to order "Exposed!", Confessions of a Wedding Photographer. My wife (the best photographer I know)got ahold of the book before I did, and, as I had hoped, absoulutely loved it. She would giggle, laugh and cry,and I would continuously ask "what?...what?", until finally, I got to read the book as well. I would be hard pressed to think that anyone in the world hasn't at least attended a wedding, and even if you haven't, this is a fabulous read. Being acquainted with film and the darkroom, and how much work (but great fun!) it is, made me enjoy it that much more. I love the book like I loved my favorite books ever...those by James Herriot (All Creatures Great and Small, etc.). Claire Lewis has the ability to tell a great story. I highly reccomend this book, as there is something for everyone. You won't regret it!!!

Despite my own internet-induced functional illiteracy (I was a voracious reader in another life), I read this book during 3 days after a friend put it in my hands. Weddings typically bore me, and I seem to be one of the few gay men for whom Domestic Partnership is enough. I can't say that the whole subject area appealed to me much, though with the perfect storm of gay marriage descending on California in the coming months, maybe there are a lot of us out there that need to read this book before we go too far with things.

Anyhow, enough about me but the book came to me at a strange and vulnerable time in my own life; I needed to laugh, and that's probably why I opened it up. I expected to laugh, and I did from the get-go...people were giving me funny looks at Starbucks. What I didn't expect was such a well-crafted sub-plot, complete with endearing sidekick as counterpoint to the boss, gluing all the silly & touching anecdotes & characters together. Especially, I didn't expect to cry, as I did later in the book during To Kiss or Not to Kiss, which was set up artfully. Choice bits of the author's own life inform and enrich the stories throughout the book, tying everything together with personality and perspective. Bravo!

Would make a GREAT GIFT for almost anyone, even for folks who don't have much time or inclination to read! Leave it out on the coffee table, or pick it up during coffee breaks, you only need a few minutes at a sitting to enjoy it thoroughly, albeit in bits & pieces, as I did.

This book filled with accounts of the hopefulness, quirkiness and outright craziness of wedding celebrations is pure pleasure to read. It's often laugh out loud funny - Claire's observations are dead on, and along with her photographer's eye she has a wonderful ear for dialogue. What really made this memoir stand out for me, though, was the story of Claire's own path to true love, which underlies her slowly emerging identity as a wedding photographer. Usually the person behind the camera doesn't like to be *exposed* - it's easier to reveal the quirks, joys and fears of others, and hide one's own story. But along with revealing others in their moments of vulnerability, Claire reveals herself. That her path to "I Do" isn't easy makes the outcome that much more delightful - and yes, i am a sucker for a happy ending!

How special to find and read a behind the scenes book about weddings and photography! Being a diehard people watcher I thoroughly enjoyed riding along with Claire and her assistant Sarah... They brought me to each wedding and each adventure making sure I didn't miss the laughs and the heart tugging relationship struggles. Very fun read, great picture painting for my mind...I laughed out loud, groaned in disappointment and had at least one sorrowful tear for sure! I was entertained, enlightened and encouraged. Being a photographer who loves to capture what I see to share with the world, I enjoyed hearing Claire's thoughts on her job and the world of cameras and film in our digital age.
This book is about photography, people and their quirky ways, weddings and much much more! Claire you are a delightful writer and I cannot wait to read your next book! More Claire Lewis is my cry!!

Level set: I am an amateur photographer who has photographed four weddings. All four couples were charming, the weddings went well, and they were happy with their pictures. Claire Lewis has convinced me I've made the correct decision to have sworn to never photograph another wedding.

Ms Lewis has a gift with words when she describes charming and not so charming individuals and situations. For example: "Myra flew through my door like a balloon with a puncture. She sputtered around the room making a lot of noise that sounded like 'hello how are you and oh my those are a lot of steep steps you have there and I really just can't breath and is all this your own work up here on the walls?' Finally, she deflated on the couch." (Page 45 hard cover edition).

This is a great quick light read. I picked it up on impulse when the cover caught my eye, and I finished it within 24 hours. My wife read it over the next couple days, and now we have passed it along. Highly recommended; should be required reading if you're planning a wedding.

As others have said, this book is a fast read. The stories are so crazy and interesting it's very hard to put it down. Since it's so engaging, I gave this book 4 stars, but I didn't find the author very likable at all. She was very critical and negative. Still, I would recommend this book because it IS very funny.

I came across this book while meeting the author's sister on my honeymoon! I definitely recommend this to any bride... It's a really funny book considering one of the last things you think about (sadly) is what's on the photographers' mind during your wedding planning process. What happens in the background, when the wedding is being put together and all eyes are on the bride, is actually really interesting. Such a fun read! Before the wedding, after the wedding...especially while you're waiting at the DMV for your new driver's license: read this one!

About: Wedding photographer Lewis tells humorous, horrifying, touching and just plain strange stories about the different weddings she has worked at.

Pros: Funny, short chapters make for easy picking up, fast read.

Cons: Nothing to write home about but good for a quick, light read.

Grade: B+

It was brilliant to read a memoir by someone in the business. I couldn't put it down!

I have often considered entering the field of wedding photography and thought this book would give me some insight on the profession. It did much more then that. Claire Lewis did a wonderful job telling stories of her adventures as a wedding photographer, as well as telling the reader about her life journey. I highly recommend this to anybody who is getting married, enjoys the wedding experience, or has ever thought about becoming a wedding photographer. You won't be disappointed.