Some stories are just fun to tell, and this one I enjoy sharing with the blog readers.  I met Rob the week before Easter at Palmer where he is going through the last months of training to becoming a chiropractor. He is assigned to the doctor taking care of me.   Since I was there 3 to 6 times a week for a few weeks I began asking questions here and there about him… it’s called getting to know someone….others would say being nosey

He asked what I did, and I shared about being a wedding photographer.  Probably more info about being a photographer  than he wanted to hear, but my left shoulder was hurt in the accident.  Holding a camera, working a wedding, and life in general all provided more info about what I did while explaining what hurt and what was making it hurt.

I found out Rob has the girl of his dreams all picked out and they are scheduled to be married pretty soon.

The young man has made a most excellent choice, but I get ahead of myself.  Once I found out they were engaged the wedding photographer in me wanted to know more.  Every visit a little bit more was shared.  I asked if they had done an engagement session with their photographer. Rob explained that they were over 5 hours away from where they would be getting married and where their photographer was.

Long story short….. we got together Sunday afternoon and guess what we did? Duh!

Oh, the sweetness of having the camera pointed at them when Rob shot Melissa this priceless very Rob “look”.   He would have NEVER got it right if we tried to pose it. It would have just looked contrived and  awkward.    He probably would have never even agreed to try for the look for the camera.

I was a captive audience listening to their hopes, plans and dreams for the future while we visited after the shoot.  No crystal ball here, but I am positive as a couple they are strong.  Add to that the feeling that Rob will be very successful in his practice as the years unfold for them.

I love what I do.  Is isn’t work, but instead it is a passion in me.  Getting to peek behind the public mask we all wear is filled with surprises.    Loving another and the emotions that are involved leak out in spite of all attempts to keep them private.  People in love bubble over.  No exception for Rob and Melissa.  She will be his very beautiful bride coming down the aisle, and he will be the tall handsome groom standing at the altar wowed by her beauty as she comes to join hands with him for the rest of their lives.

The million dollar smile was not for the camera. It was for Rob!

It was family and friends that surrounded the bride as she dressed for one of the biggest days in her life. She chose not to see Andy before the ceremony.

She laughed, and hugged, and smiled that huge smile that only a bride can manage.  Quietly the veil was in place, shoes were stepped into, item by item was carefully put in place.  I like the softness of the image of her putting her earrings on.

Andy and the guys were outside, inside, here, there, and everywhere.  Each new person arriving managed to ask him if he was nervous.  He said no, but he got very quiet before the ceremony.  Not in a bad way… just reflective over what was about to take place.

Suddenly everything they had planned and worked on happening on their wedding day began to happen, and before grandparents, parents, family, and friends they announced their vows.

Andy’s dad owns a mint condition 1930 Ford.  Andy’s dad is also the family photographer at every event, so he asked if I got a couple of shots he really wanted.

That’s Andy’s dad playing chauffeur.

Anytime they looked at each other there was no rest of the world for them.  They were totally lost in each other’s gaze.

We also had some amazing very limber young men on the dance floor later in the evening. 

Trinity Lutheran in Moline
The Davenport Raddison
Heller Cakes
SAS Entertainment
Ruby Media

As wedding vendors gather it is always a chance to see what they are doing that is new.  Ruby Media was with me all day and it was great to chat and catch up.  We had Dennis from SAS, and it was a first time meeting.  Heller Cakes…… it was yummy as always.  The pastor at Trinity Lutheran was sharing with me there are plans to increase the lighting in the sanctuary.  Good news!  He also delivered a beautiful message and very rich eloquent vows for the couples to pledge to each other before God.

I saved my comments about the Davenport Raddison to last. I love the front office Coordinators and the Event People at the Raddison.  It always goes off without a single issue. Always!  They are warm, attentive, and efficient…….and a lot of fun.  Applause from Studio D…. you always make it a special event!

By now  Jessica and Andy  are probably in Maui sitting on the beach in their swimsuits having a couple of exotic drinks!

LINK TO PROOF SITE choose jessicaandrew   and the password is the groom’s last name in lower case.

One of our more popular panaromic albums 9 x 12 opening to 18 x 12.  Photographic paper has a linen weave in it to prevent center seam cracking.   Cover is canvas printed with our design.   Our layouts are carefully thought out for each album presentation.  Forty nine images in the book and one on the cover.

This a photographed image rather than showing layouts.  You get less quality in this image than the actual book, but this is a better representation of an actual album until you see one in the studio.

Canvas cover on this 9 x 12 panoramic album that opens to 9 x 24.  Every layout is custom, and the colors are unique to each wedding.    The couple is on their way in to pick up their album, and I am typing as I wait. It is always fun to watch them see it for the very first time.