Individuality

Week 22

Individuality

June 4, 2011

Yep, it's another wedding pic. Can't help it...lots of weddings going on, and frankly, this was a great image. Scanning through my work from the week to pick the 22nd entry into 52,  I came across this photograph. I'm no aficionado on women's shoes. Not by any stretch. But dang, these are cool, and I immediately thought about the idea of individuality.

I believe we are all created as individuals, after the same pattern. We have many of the same drives, ultimately the same needs, and frequently the same kinds of reactions to life events. I also believe that part of that pattern itself is individuality, and that we have the need and desire to express that in our day to day lives. Sometimes we do it in a way that attempts to drown out the expressions of other individuals around us. Sometimes we do it as a unique contribution to a chorus of individuality. I always prefer the latter, and too often do the former, but that's true of all of us isn't it?

Go out and celebrate what makes you unique!




Image taken with Canon 5DMII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/25 sec @f2.8, ISO 3200

Bouquet

Week 21

Bouquet

May 22, 2011

It feels like it's been a while since I included an image from the weddings I am privileged to photograph. This one, as you can see is of one of the most anticipated moments during the reception... the bouquet toss. I love seeing this tradition play out, and it's always interesting to see how those single ladies, (some eager - some coerced) going on that dance floor and waiting for fate to drop that sign of future matrimony into their hands, will react. Some stand there out of obligation. Others jump at the chance, literally, to jockey for the best position and use every ounce of athleticism they possess to capture the prize.

The tradition is fun, and though not one I take much stock in for it's ability to predict or influence a girls chance at marriage any sooner than otherwise would come their way, is simply part of the celebration of the new bride and groom, and a way of enjoying the friendships that surround the marriage.

What it makes me think about is our desire for connection. Marriage, that symbol and act of committing to one another in a forever partnership is a manifestation of that desire, and I'd say need, for relationship. Whether your views on it are faith based or purely secular, its hard to deny the deep longing that humans have for companionship. It's a need for someone that can be trusted with the darkest secrets, the silliest ideas, the toughest challenges and the evolving passions we have as we go through life.

So here's to celebrating that pursuit... may you catch a bouquet (or garter) when you have the chance :).

Image taken with Canon 5DMII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/500 sec @f2.8, ISO 400

Wedding Day

Week 3

Wedding Day

January 16, 2011

Photographing weddings is a unique experience for many reasons. As I was reminded by a gifted wedding photographer just last night, this day quite possibly holds the most meaning of any day to come, (perhaps next only to the birth of their children) in the lives of the couple being joined together. It is unique because of this significance, and it is unique because often it is one of a very few times when all or near all of these two peoples' family and friends are gathered together in one place. It is unique because it is not only a milestone in the lives of the bride and groom, but also in the lives of their parents, their siblings and loved ones.... Even for their friends, both new and old, it helps shape the contours of their own stories as they look back at their respective lives and place this wedding squarely in that river of memories.

It's a beautiful thing to be included in the process, an honor to be asked to capture that important day, to tell a visual story that will last for the lives of the couple, and into the generations to follow. There is only one chance at it, there is no re-shoot opportunity, no do-over... and for that, it is a privilege.

I was given this privilege last week by a dear friend of mine, and during the joyful whirlwind of her making her bridal preparations, I took the time to make the above image. It's one of my favorites from that part of the day -  I like the continuity of the dress with the fabric of the canopy and window dressing, as well as the subtle shadows in the dress and the overall brightness of the photograph. For me, knowing what surrounded this scene, it is like watching a solemn moment of calm amidst the slightly controlled chaos of a wedding day. I dig it. Hope you do too.

image taken with Canon 5DMII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/250 sec @f2.8, ISO 400

New Beginnings

Week 45

New Beginnings

November 13, 2010

A guest at the wedding I shot last weekend commented to me "you'll never get the chance to witness a wedding like this again".  She was probably right. You see, the bride and groom were 78 and 80 years old respectively. Each of their spouses had passed away in recent years, and these two were moving to another stage in life with one another. They wanted to live out the remainder of their lives together.

Now don't get the wrong impression. This was no frumpy duo resigned to some second-choice partnership. This bride and groom were as happy and giddy as any couple I've had the privelege to photograph. There was no less excitement, no fewer signs of their obvious and deep, youthful love for each other than if they were 22 and starting off on their first journey together.

An incredible thing to witness and document, I was happy to be a part of it. It got me thinking about how we all have opportunities to make new beginnings. Joyful times, tragedies and change will inevitably come our way. These things shape us, influence our lives and fill our memories. They make us who we are. They don't however, have to determine who we become. We have the opportunity in this life to take advantage of each day as a new day. We are afforded a brand new opportunity to make decisions based on who and what we value. Our paths in the past don't determine our paths for the future. A new beginning can be tomorrow. Or today. Or right now. It's up to you.

image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/40 sec @ f2.8, ISO 400

Anticipation

Week 32

  
Anticipation

August 13, 2010

Waiting. We don't all do it well. Sometimes it's because we feel that something should have happened sooner. Sometimes it's because we're preoccupied with the next thing we feel we have to do. Sometimes, however, it's a barely suppressed excitement for something worth waiting for, an anticipation of the event itself. Christmas eve and birthdays as a child come to mind. As adults, weddings seem to be the best example of this anticipation.

I captured the image above as the groom was preparing for our pictures, and to see his bride for the first time on their wedding day. I liked the lighting, the mood it created, and the moment (albeit brief) of calm in the whirlwind of a day all weddings become.






image captured on Canon 5D MII, 16-35 2.8L lens, 1/60 sec @ f2.8, ISO 1000