As I was looking through Elle magazine today I stopped on an article about the fashion guru editor Candice Rainey and how much she hates photos of herself. As the editor goes on to talk about how much she dislikes images of herself…she said this “Despite my terrible track record, I have a wedding photo of my own that is similarly blissfully and nostalgic. It’s a black and white that was taken by a friend of mine with a vintage Leica, and my dad is laughing twirling me around the dance floor in my strapless floor-sweeping dress. My eyes are closed but I’m smiling too, looking pretty and unaffected. When I glance at it mid-workday I get the urge to pick up the phone and call him. It’s a little blurry….but its a potent tangible memory that I think my future kids might like to frame.” This struck me…my job is so special.
This got me thinking….most brides select their wedding photographer based on a portfolio of amazing detail shots…that is what they want to look at when they are planning their wedding. I am the images they will want to look at after the wedding. What I photograph is a moment in time, a unique bond between people, a feeling…a look that can never be recreated again except in your memory every time you look at my images. While the formal shots maybe the ones you frame on the wall, the in-between shots, the shots were taken while you have no idea there is a camera on you are the ones that show the true emotions and connections shared on your wedding day. I photograph everything, the details, the formals, the bridal party poses…but what is really important in a wedding image is does it move you? Do you feel like you there, are you looking into their hearts and sharing that intimate moment with them? That is what my images do. In some cultures they believe that a photograph steals a part of your soul…in each of my photos, I leave a piece of me. Every time I click the shutter there is an intention, there is something I am trying to portray these people, this event, their unique and amazing story. So when you consider wedding photographs, remember to look past the details, the setup scenes and think about the photographers who can share these moments with your future children through just one image. Select a wedding photographer whose photographs move you…one who you can capture one image when you view your images after the wedding that will bring you the smiles and the tears of happiness you shed all over again.