So if you've skipped down to the pictures you might be wondering why all of a sudden I have images of adults on here and how that fits in with a blog post about discovering my life's work. Fair enough. I'd be wondering about it too if I were you. So bear with me as I explain...
Let me start at the beginning. I have known Tessa since we were twelve years old. That's twenty one years for those of you counting at home. She was my best friend in high school and we've stayed connected this whole time despite cross country moves, multiple colleges, different life stages. When she told me she was getting married, I knew that even though I don't do weddings, I just knew that engagement portraits had to be my gift to her. We chose a beautiful location that had special meaning to them and headed out just before sunset. I was nervous because, while I do usually include a few portraits of just mom and dad in my family sessions, I had never done a complete session with a couple before. And they were nervous because they had never had portraits done before. So before we started, I knew we needed to get grounded and connected so that we could focus on what was really important here and let go some of our nerves. I asked them to just take a moment and breathe and look around at the gorgeous mountainside. To feel the cool breeze blowing and see the beautiful golden light that bathed the trees and grasses. Then I asked them to really look at each other, to think about how special this time in their life is, and how much they truly care for each other.
As the session progressed they became more and more comfortable and connected to each other. And my confidence also grew as I saw how beautiful and in love they looked. And I knew that after three years of teaching myself photography, I was finally in a place where I knew for sure I was nailing the shots. And I was so delighted to be able to share this gift with someone who was so important to me.
That night, Tessa asked if she and Alison could look at the pictures. Normally I choose my favorite images and edit them first before I share, but Tessa pulled the best friend card and talked me into it. And that's when I truly realized how important the experience was for them as a couple. They saw how beautiful they truly are. They knew that how they feel about each other at this moment will be preserved forever. They know that they will be able to share those little moments when Alison looks at Tessa with such love and adoration and when Tessa grins her crooked smile at Alison with their children and their children's children. And that's when it all clicked for me. Watching them watch the slide show of their images, witnessing how meaningful it was for them to see themselves in this way, I realized that this is what I want to capture, this is what I want to provide for other people, this is why I became a photographer. I want to provide people with an experience of love. An opportunity for them to stop time and truly enjoy the company of those they care about the most and then reflect back to them the pure beauty of that connection. A way to honor and celebrate all that is special and unique about a person, a family, a couple and to reflect all that specialness back so they can see it too. And I am so very thankful for the gift of this discovery.
So stay tuned here for all the exciting ways I'm planning on creating these types of love experiences for the wonderful people I have the great honor to photograph. Family snuggles, boudoir glamour and couples canoodling are on their way and I can't wait! And if this sounds interesting to you and you'd like this experience for yourself. Give me a call. I'd love to love on you! Your life is beautiful!
And now, without further ado, the stunningly gorgeous Tessa A. the ultra handsome Alison D! To be married this weekend!
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