And if a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it’s as though I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up. I know that the accident of my being a photographer has made my life possible. - Richard Avedon - 1970

Two young adults decided to have matching tat’s.  When asked what it means………”friends” .  Here we are photographing bride and maid of honor’s feet.  Won’t win me any prizes or compliments, but it will please my bride because she asked for it!!!

Wonder what the great grandchildren of both them will think when they find this image. 

“Sensitive people faced with the prospect of a camera portrait put on a
face they think is one they would like to show the world. …Very often
what lies behind the facade is rare and more wonderful than the subject
knows or dares to believe.” —Irving Penn, 1975.

This first image was taken by David Clevenger shooting with me this past weekend.  It is a total grab shot.  The back story.  The dad was in Iraq and thinking he probably would not make his son’s wedding.  This was right after a very emotional toast to the bride and groom telling his son how proud of him he was.  Both faces tell a story of love, respect for each other, and a long history between them.   It isn’t about being posed, perfect lighting, beautiful background.  The facade of both men is down, and the heart is visible.  It’s a keeper for me, and I believe for Andrew as well……for many years to come!

I will look for and add more to this post.   It is these moments that makes me fall in love with photography over and over.

Note to everyone…….. by using the Irving Penn quote I am not implying I am in his category of photographer but instead expressing my admiration for his incredible work.  It inspires me a great deal!

Same wedding…..looking behind the public face we all wear…….

Remember the well known bulldogs playing poker images?  This area at the reception reminded me of it.  It was winding down at the reception, and a few made their way into the bar.  The groom is playing pool, and friends and family are playing and watching.  They could care less about the camera.  Most were vaguely aware I was around somewhere.  Would you sit like the man in the foreground if I asked to take your photo?  No. You would have straightened up, smiled, and maybe even insisted on putting back on your shirt. The groom is relaxed in the background intent on the shooter.

I love this grab.  Between me and the pool table group this was going on.   A total two alone moment. They were in their own world.  Not many adults would let me photograph them coloring.  They would tell me they felt stupid doing this, but isn’t it something most of us have done at one time or the other?

And right behind me the bride was having her first shot of the evening with her maid of honor and a guest.  Again, I got to look behind the facade.

All of these are candid shots looking behind the facade.  Penn had a way of doing this in posed portraits. If you search for Irving Penn on the Internet you can find examples of his portrait work that the images are so honest of a capture it hurts almost.   The person is so exposed, vulnerable, and aware they are letting it all hang out.  As a photographer it is where I strive to go with every single person before the camera.  Some let me see behind the facade while others keep the door tightly closed.  As a photographer it becomes my job to search for keys that gain entrance.

This image was shot with this developed image in mind.  Why?  Not simply because I can, but because it fulfills a statement I made to a friend a number of years ago.   We all go through ups and downs, and good times and bad are guaranteed to happen to us all.

Friends and families always tell you, “It will get better”!  This plus a lot of promises for the hurt to be replaced with beauty and joy.  We say them because we don’t want our friends to hurt or suffer.  It is in our hearts to comfort them.

It took a few years, but my friend, the fairytale did indeed happen to you! May all of God’s blessings rest on you and yours.  Let me just say……. I TOLD YOU SO!!   :)  This image was created to remind you dreams, hopes, and  answered prayers do happen to all of us!

…I can see all the innocence and mischievousness  of your young years.   This young lady was the center of the day…..the bride and groom just think it was all about them   Much more to come!

This peppery ball of fiery energy is the bride’s niece.   Everybody has a story to tell about her.  Her lovely purple cast was changed from pink and green so she would blend in with the wedding party.  I believe she had only had it for a week and already the bottom purple was worn away.   The girl roller skates on the ceiling at break neck speed!

The Walker Wedding

“My good friend David Anthony Williams recently wrote to me with the following thought:
:Who do we actually photograph a wedding for?  The participants? Not really.  We record these events for those that weren’t there or those yet to come.  It is to leave something tangible for those the couple love.”

This quote is taken from the opening pages of  Wedding Photography A Guide To Posing

I tried to go on reading beyond this quote, but I kept drifting back to it. Reading and rereading.  Letting all the subtleties of the message ignite a new awareness in my mind.   In honesty I have more than once told a bride their wedding photos would me so much to their children and grandchildren, but never really giving total thought to why I’d say that.  David’s quote crystallized in my heart.

I have put a link to David’s website above.  He is an incredible photographer and educator.  I cannot possibly capture a decent description of him in one sentence, paragraph, or blog post for that matter.  If you are a photographer you owe it to yourself to take one of his seminars… Almost Alone with David Anthony Williams.  Your photography and your life will change in those three days.

In the very same book I ran into the author saying there was usually a copy of Vogue in plain view during the interview with the possible new clients.  Time is needed to create the beautiful cover of each issue… as much as a four hour session and hundreds upon hundreds of images.   It is important for wedding couples to realize the need to leave time for their photographer to have some special quality time with the bride and groom.    Let it be food for thought if you are reading this.

In a recent interview with a couple I found myself trying to secure two 15 minute sessions during the reception when there was no demand on their time.  The groom’s position was he wanted to be with family and friends and didn’t see the need for time away.  This same groom expressed over and over his desire for intimate, personal, romantic images of him and his bride.   The couple’s wishes will always win out, but it should always be remembered………you cannot have it both ways.  You allow time for us to create………..or…… you don’t get some of the magical photos you saw on photographer websites when you were searching for your own photographer.

You, the photographer, time, and the location all go together to create the magic.  So!  With David William’s quote above, what are we creating and leaving for the ones that were not there and the ones to view them in the future?   There is so much to capture with endless possibilities.

This couple moved their formals outside to Rivermont giving us more than an hour to capture these and many others around the grounds.  They followed it up with a picnic for everyone.  The formal shots in the church were exactly 5 shots.

Everyone kept saying there were 35 people in the wedding party.  I have 36 here. :)  Not sure if we found one from another wedding or what.  What do you do with 36 people for a quick group shot?  Plant them in a flower bed.  What else?

Hi, guys!!  7pm Friday before the next wedding.  I’ve been editing like crazy, and yours is just burning to the first DVD of two.  I thank you so much you have been quiet about seeing them, because I know you are like every other couple……….let us see the pics!!

I have 3 of you to go to online galleries!  I will start the uploads in a few!!   Plan on coming in first part of next week.  Give me a call!

Here’s a couple for a sneak peek!

Elsa in prayer presenting Mary with flowers. For me it is a meaningful image because of the reason Elsa stands there with bowed head.  There are beautiful images, but this is the ONE for me while I prepare their images for them.  For sure this one will make the album. 

Elsa and Benjamin adore each other.   All of our hearts melt when anyone looks at us like Elsa is looking at Ben!

The dessert table was created by the talented Robin of LeCake!  I’m told they were all more delicious than the one before!

Florals were created by the very talented Damian of Milan Florist.

Linens and Event Coordination were by Tita’s Linens by Claudia!!  Not a single detail escaped Claudia!

Erin Kay Seddon did the bride and her attendant’s makeup. Hair was done by Five Star Salon. The Wedding Stringers provided chamber violin music during cocktail hour. Juan Carlos DJ’d.    I’m told the night did not end until 2:00am.  Jerry Bergheger of Atlante and Omelia’s prepared both the evening’s food but also prepared breakfast the next morning.

Edited to add:  Amazing how my brain does NOT work sometimes.   Our Lady of Lourdes for the ceremony and The Renwick Mansion for the reception. Alan my love I forgot to mention you did videography… sorry!! There are not images posted…..Elsa designs fabulous jewelry worn by all the wedding party ladies!!

Father Tim I forgot you as well……see you in 4 weeks for Kevin’s wedding…….will apologize in person

Images in this post captured by Kevin Walker of Walker Productions and 2nd shooter Scott for Studio D.