Being a photographer is a series of stages, each year you develop something new that you didn't have the last season. These developments don't stop over time. You never stop wanting to improve and you never stop learning- lets face it, we're never quite satisfied. As they say, "it's the journey, never the destination"- or something like that.
This past Spring I was in a meeting with a bride and groom, we were looking though photos in magazines and they were expressing to me what they liked and didn't. When we were done the groom looked at me and said, we hired you because we love your work. We're showing you all of these photos but really, we want you to do what you do. We want you to do what you know how to do because your photographs are what we want.
He probably doesn't even remember saying that to me but those words gave me such a sense of freedom to do it my way. I no longer had to worry about what other photographers were doing -and which way they were doing it. My photos are my voice and with my voice, I want a bride and groom to live their story over and over again.
When a bride and groom look at their wedding album, I want them to see more than photos.
I want a bride to remember the pencil dive into her dress, praying that their hair didn't get messed...
.... and the tying, untying and retying of her dress
I want them to remember the details that she and her mother spent hours and hours on, deciding and perfecting.
The squeeze of her father's hand as he walks her down the aisle and the feelings that she felt as she caught her grooms eyes for the first time-
and the words her father spoke
as he gave her away.
I want them to remember the joy...
and the feel of the ring as it was slipped onto your finger for the first time....
The anxiousness of knowing that the final prayer is coming to and end.
I want them to remember this moment- forever.
I want them to remember their friends and hear their laughter.
... and the pretty and the fun.
What's most important:
I want them to remember feeling like a rockstar.
.... and his brother's toast.
I want them to see his mother looking on at her boys as they speak of each other: proud and a little misty eyed.
A call to his buddies in the Service- to say hi, he's thinking of them and please stay safe.
The crazy uncle ;0)
More laughter.
More love.....
and again, what matters most.
Thank you Dana and Chad, for letting me tell your story. I couldn't be more honored.
Thank you as well to Brianna who helped me during this fantastically fun day- some of these photos are surely to be ones that she captured. ;0).
Wow, Julie. Beautiful.
Posted by: Rebecca | August 23, 2012 at 04:01 PM
Awesome. I love the father's last words at the alter. And the funny uncle.
Posted by: Brita | August 23, 2012 at 04:51 PM
I don't even know them, but I was a little choked up. You outdid yourself! You told a beautiful story with your pictures AND your words.
Posted by: Mindijo | August 23, 2012 at 05:53 PM
I love all of them...but the orange dresses and cowboy boots are over the top...LOVE!!!!
Posted by: Jill | August 23, 2012 at 07:03 PM
awesome photos, awesome narration ;-) They are lucky to have you guys to preserve their memories!!
Posted by: Jennifer Skoog | August 23, 2012 at 11:43 PM
Julie - your work is over the top wonderful!!! This wedding looked like so much fun.
Posted by: Linda J | August 24, 2012 at 04:28 PM
Wow Beautiful!! the photos and the words too! awesome work as always! :)
Posted by: Natalie L. | August 26, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Great photos! And that hunting camo vest on that groom?! hah. Love it all as well.
James | http://www.elmcrestbanquets.com/FAQs.html
Posted by: jamesdouglas | February 12, 2014 at 11:44 AM