Wedding as Art

 

Let me forewarn you, this post is going to be a little mushy. But I knew this wedding was something special even while I was shooting it. Maybe it was the unexplainable 70 degree day in March only one week after a big snow; maybe it was the purity of the blushing bride awaiting her many guests to arrive; or maybe its just the little girl in me who still believes in the fairy tale of love. Whatever the case, I am in love with so many images from yesterday. Weddings offer endless possibilities to create beautiful art for the happy couple to enjoy for a lifetime to come. I love these images for different reasons. The one above speaks to me of God's heavenly favor shining down on the love between a new bride and groom. We can only hope his blessings remain on all of our most treasured relationships.
These images are simple but honest and I am always a sucker for a good profile or silhouette shot.

 

This image shows how much I love lines. Shooting down bricks is one of my favorite backdrops because your eye is naturally drawn into the picture.  An unexpected and more raw finish is fun to me too when shooting brides.

Bridal parties that include little ones are always more fun too. Children just infuse FUN into the day and I love capturing their spirited play at weddings. The sunglasses, the smooches and the simple game of Ring Around the Rosies remind us that this should be a day of fun and celebration and not just taking tons of boring, posed pictures.
I love shooting at odd angles and using fun color finishes too to bring more life into a wedding album. It doesn't hurt when you have a gorgeous bridal party either! 

I challenge myself to see things differently at each wedding. Using foregrounds and different depths of field keeps me artistically engaged and I love surprising the bride and groom with unplanned shots.
The cake, the catering and small details of the wedding are fun to shoot too. But nothing holds a candle to a blushing bride. This image makes my heart beat faster for her. I remember what it felt like knowing your guests were arriving and soon you'd be walking down that long-awaited aisle. I am so humbled to share in these intimate events with couples and I continue to thank God for the passion he placed in my heart to do this job. May it never leave me. Or the belief that some people do live happily ever after.

Sweet Siblings

This big sister was very sweet with her baby brother. She thought it was pretty funny when we put him in a doll bed too. That picture is timeless to me. The blue eyes in this family are simply gorgeous! Squeeze them tight, Mom and Dad. These first years go by in a blink. Enjoy!

Belly Beautiful

This mom is one of the soap opera pregnant people.  You know, they are still in 100% perfect shape with a small, adorable belly.  She really is pregnant and she really is that beautiful.  (I only hated her a tinsy bit for that but shhhhhh blog readers.....) Her adorable twin girls were giggly fun as well and we had a great morning together.  I can't wait to meet baby #3 once she arrives.

Lil' Charmer

This handsome devil is #3 in a family full of cute boys.  Don't you just want to squeeze him?  I guess the third time really is a charm or should I say.....charmer, Christine?!  Flirting at such a young age.  Tisk. tisk.

Little Boy Blue

How adorable is little "L"?  It took him a few minutes to warm up to my big camera, but once we got rolling, he was on one, big giggle roller-coaster.  It was one belly laugh after another with this little guy.  I could have photographed him all day long :)

Snow Pretty

Doesn't this young lady look like a classic Hollywood starlet?  She is very Anne Hathaway in a few of these shots to me.  She was brave enough to plod through the snow and mud to get some great images.  Hey, nobody said modeling was easy!  Hope you like them "H".  Remember me when you're famous.

Pretty as a picture

It was fun meeting the lovely Miss "S" today.  "S" is just as pretty on the inside too as she will soon be donating her long blonde hair to Locks of Love.  My own niece lost her hair to leukemia and I know firsthand that gifts of generosity like this bring so much hope to families struggling with disease.  Her family is very proud of her decision.  She is pretty as a picture indeed!