Happy Thrusday! Hope everyone is honing their photography skills everyday!
Let me tell you why I have decided to do the
Wedding Essay Contest.
There is a story that needs to be told.. shared with as many as I can.. The world is constantly changing. We hear of horrible stories all the time. The media knows how to enhance fears,death, war, infidelity.They seem to only report about the couples who have been married 80+ years. That is a grand story, yes, however,, what about the younger couples who endure so many obstacles today to sustain and showcase their love? Do they not get a mention? Not really.. but there story could very well inspire us all.
Let's face it,, money is an issue for most all..I find it horrible that a couple may not get the wedding photography they need. They think there are not good affordable photographers out there who understand how we are all struggling on a daily basis to make ends meet. They then stop the research and agree to either, a friend who wants to hone their skills with a camera or a hobbyist at best! I just cant deal with that anymore and who knows, if this is successful, I may just run this every year!
So, let me tell you the story of
Thomas & Marina...
I didn't get to hang out with them as much as I would of liked but from working with them.. I can tell you how great of a couple they are and how they made me feel while photographing their wedding.
I imagine most of you think , that because I have photographed wedding for 9 years that I am immune to being emotional behind the camera, this is NOT true.
Thomas is a military man and you can see in the photos below, that he was just not into smiling.. when I dropped my camera and just talked to him he opened up. I asked him how he and Marina met and the smiles just started to pop! Trying my best to keep working with him and running out of pre ceremony time,, I knew when best to get his emotions .. when he was with Marina! That was that, I had to move on.. this shot of him below, I simply said "ok, give me a smile, even military style for Marina."
It was then talking and working with Thomas that I found out that the next day he had to be back at base.. so they wouldn't get the normal honeymoon most couples would get. Even with this fact and working with this lovely couple I found out how down to earth they were.. I watched them serve their own cake to their guests! It was sooo cute.. Marina who tried to feed me all night at her reception, her cake was vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.. she said she didn't want anyone to be able to turn down the cake! How awesome for this girl,, who wouldn't get much time with her new hubby, to continue to think about others. Most couples I assume take on the wedding details in, "my wedding, my cake, my decor" as they should, it is their day! I just thought it was awesome to see such a young couple care so much about their guests.
They were so good to me. They wanted me to sit , relax, eat and enjoy myself. I can tell you in the years past, sometimes, the photographer is treated poorly,, as in, we shouldn't eat on the job or take bathroom breaks.. Normally i eat in the kitchen, some crackers and water... and 10 mins later.. back on my feet. In coverage of 4 to 8 hours , I've only sat for about 15 mins.. and most of that time is actually checking equipment etc...
I enjoyed getting to know Thomas & Marina and they were such a great couple to work with, truly reminded me of my own wedding. Where I helped clean up my own reception.. I bet you,, they did some of this as well.. it was just who they were. I offered an additional portrait session, bridals or studio portraits as a gift to the couple. I cant wait to see them again.
This collage represents, pre wedding jitters, ceremony, decor and how relaxed couples get once the knot is tied! Love you guys!
Did I say RELAXED or what?
Don't forget send me your Wedding Essays to
laymanphotography@windstream.net I cant wait to start reading! If you have questions, don't hesitate to give me a call 205.873.1803
Have a great day!
