Creativity and Weddings

I received a phone call today from a bride looking for a wedding photographer. That is always good news. The best part was they were both musicians. Classical musicians to be more exact. A dissecting thought is an email I received from a former client...

"Dear Dave,

Thank you so very much for your outstanding photographs. Your photos have so
very poignantly captured the day in the most perfect of ways.

We are so very grateful that you were able to be our photographer for the
day. We haven't stopped raving about you since the day we met you! The
corridor image is one of my favorite images. I have walked down that
specific hallway of floor 5 so many times to visit my dad and the way you
captured it creates so many emotions for me. Thank you.

The one of me and my dad holding hands and just our hands are showing in the
photo is beautiful. And, the one of me and my dad when my back is to the
camera is so wonderful and touching.

The ones of me and Dave together are all fantastic (even some of the less
flattering shots of us!). I love the image of Dave with a great laugh and
smile as we're standing in front of the city skyline (this is our wedding
frame photo!).

We have very proudly shared so many of the images with our family, friends
and even business colleagues. Dave and I getting married in the hospital
chapel and being with my dad in his ICU room were moments that moved so many
people (aside from us). For them to feel so connected by viewing the images
the way you've been able to capture these very precious moments is
indescribable, although so many people sent us some wonderful and
heartfelt comments I'd like to share:

"I am speechless. These are absolutely beautiful and very moving. Thank
you SO much for sharing these!"

"... of all the pictures that grabbed my heart and my emotions was the one
of you walking down the corridor alone."

"The photo of you walking down the hallway is a photo of 1000 words."

"Absolutely amazing! I am touched to see inside. I have streaming tears for
you both happy and sad but no words."

"These are VERY special photographs for so many reasons.

1. I love the one of Dave smiling -- he's so happy and it comes through in
the photography 2. I really love the one of you walking down the hall with
the windows on the right 3. And...I absolutely love the one of you and your
father holding hands

They brought tears to my eyes -- tears of happiness and joy for you both."

"I feel as if I were there with you, if only in spirit. I hope you felt my
support and love, because I send them to you, always.... Seeing you hold
your Dad's hand is more than I can bare without sobbing, and I cannot even
come close to imagining how difficult it must have been for you."

"It isn't very often that I get an email that moves me the way this one did.
I totally admire you as you have managed to keep life in perspective and
what is truly important."

"Wow, Kath! These photos could win awards! Joyous, poignant, moving! Wow!
Thanks for sharing!"

"I just went through all your pictures and bawled my eyes out as if I were
there. They are truly lovely and capture all the emotions involved."

"What a beautiful, loving wedding -- thank you so much for sharing. 2009
has been very challenging for me also, but your story has put it into
perspective. The warmth and love between you and your husband and family is
very much in evidence in the photos."

"Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful and touching pictures with me!
...When I looked at the pictures, especially those with your dad, I was so
touched. As I have lost my dad in January 2007, my father-in-law in ... and
my mom in ..."

"So glad I didn't bother to put make up on...especially mascara!!! I loved
the pictures."

"The pictures are ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL and each one captures this
Very Heartfelt Family Celebration!!!"

If there is anything we can do to help you or your business in the future
with references etc then please get in contact any time...Thank you again.


Very Truly,

Katharine and Dave "

I really appreciated this email because I could tell how much the photos meant to her and she took the time to write. The above email was a very challenging wedding. It was at an ICU because the bride wanted to get married with her father. The father was suppose to be brought down to the chapel where we had one ceremony but his condition took a turn for the worse the previous night. So we had a second ceremony in his hospital room. It was a very touching and emotional moment.

It is these creative, loving, out of the box situations that make my job as a wedding photographer mean something. The wedding couple that doesn't always want the boxed edition of "weddings are us" are what I live for as a wedding photographer.

I love the couples who are truly in love and can let go during their beautiful day. I love the wedding couple that has interesting and original ideas. I love other creatives that want their special day documented as the beautiful and emotional day it should be.