If you scroll to past articles on this blog, you will see that I love to tell the stories of each wedding that I photograph. Sure, the pictures themselves tell a story and a little intrigue is great, but sometimes we are thirsty for more info. Today I'm taking 10 images (11 if you count our joyful church exit above) and filling in some of the details. This post isn't about showing off the "technically best" or "most amazing display of photographic skill" types of images. It's not about that. Yes, I want to create wall art for my couples, but I also want to tell a story of the day. This is why I emphasize books in my packages. My job as the wedding photographer is to do both things. Let's get to it...
Bride and groom first look at the Centennial Park bridge in Munster, Indiana.
Sometimes things suddenly get real. I was with Emily most of the morning of her wedding and the vibe was casual, fun and generally lighthearted. Her Dad had visited and it was an emotional moment for sure. However, everything was leading up to the first look with Zach scheduled for mid afternoon on the Centennial Park bridge. He waited for her and when he turned around it was pure emotion. I felt guilty pressing the shutter, but hey that's my job. Follow this link for more of Emily and Zach's spring wedding at Villa Cesare.
Grandmothers visit with the bride on wedding day.
Sometimes a wedding day will have emotional moments when you least expect them and in a manner in which you wouldn't expect. In the image above the two grandmothers of the bride came to visit her just after she put on her dress. We have some nice photos of them right after this looking at the camera and smiling. However, it was the way in which they embraced her with their older hands resting upon the small of her back. To me, this was our hero shot during this portion of the wedding and I was glad I was there to capture it. See more of this beautiful wedding right here.
Dad walks his two daughters down the aisle.
Bethany told me at our pre-wedding meeting that she was going to share her walk down the aisle with her sister who had physical challenges. There was a chance also that she would not be able to walk the entrance at The Pavilion Sandy Pines. Well, walk she most certainly did. While guests stood for Bethany because it was her day after all, I believe they were also throwing some energy and love towards this wonderful moment as Dad walked his two daughter down the aisle. See more of the summer wedding right here.
Post ceremony Serbian wedding celebration.
If you have ever attended a Serbian wedding you know that it is quite unique. Basically a band follows the bride everywhere she goes and I cover things like I would an all day reception / party. In the image above the mother of the groom expresses pure joy as an accordion player entertains the singing, clapping and and dancing crowd just before the bride and groom exit the church. See more of this Chicago Serbian wedding right here.
Church bells ring as the bride and groom exit Aberdeen Chapel in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Samantha and Tyler live in San Diego and they brought some southern California weather back with them for their wedding at Aberdeen Chapel in Valparaiso. One of the traditions of the The Chapel at Aberdeen is the ringing of the bell while the couple exits to friends and family cheering them on. The two newlyweds shared a passionate kiss as the sun shone upon them and their happy, cheering guests. My goal was to show off the grandness of the chapel, the joy of their friends and of course their love - all in one image. See more of their joyous summer wedding right here.
Dance floor fun at The Allure.
As I was photographing Morganne and Chris' epic reception at The Allure in Laporte, Indiana I noticed the crowd becoming one with the song and lighting that the DJ had going so I climbed up on a chair for a different perspective. Right at that moment a line of smiling happy faces spotted me all at the same time. See their Fall wedding at The Allure right here.
First look with the bride and her Dad at Sand Creek Country Club.
It became obvious to me that Jessica and her Dad were quite the comedy team. I had been listening to the comments and stories while she was getting ready earlier. So when it came time for the father / daughter first look I had a feeling I was going to get some laughter and sure enough. It showed throughout the entire day and you should definitely take a look at jessica and Mitchell's Fall wedding at Sand Creek Country Club right here.
Crown Point Courthouse Kiss
My assignment from Ashlee was to photograph her Crown Point wedding at Saint Mary's with some hometown flavor with a modern meets vintage vibe. What better way to showcase that than in a wedding picture in front of the Grand Old Lady (aka the Crown Point Courthouse) on the downtown Square. See more of their summer wedding right here.
The bride holds a container of letters from her bridesmaids.
Tanja's Serbian wedding had a party atmosphere all day and night, but one of the moments that stood out for me was a gift from her bridesmaids - a box of wonderful letters that she read aloud while clutching the beautiful letterbox that they will be stored in. See more of the great moments at Tanja and Kevin's Fall wedding here.
Two grooms share a moment of laughter in the courtyard of Uptown Center.
Jeremiah and Kevin had a grand, epic Christmas wedding at Uptown Center in Michigan City. It had a celebrity wedding vibe to it. So much so that the newly married couple had to sneak out the back alley way to avoid their crowd after the ceremony. It was winter and cold but some night photos in the courtyard were on our agenda. As we were taking photos some of the guests inside spotted them and they burst into laughter. Take a look at their spectacular holiday wedding right here.
One of the questions I often get asked by new couples who meet with me about photographing their big day is "Are you really at our wedding all day?". Yes, and these are 10 examples of why. You never know when the great moments are going to occur and when the stories within the stories are going to reveal themselves. Contact me here to set up a meeting to chat about your big day.