I was looking back through these photos and, man, I really can’t get over the fact that these folks for real became family over the course of the few days i spent with them. I’ve photographed at least 200 weddings, for real - for real which is why I’m trippin’....I’ve definitely felt connected to families I’ve photographed in the past but this day was v unique as a few years prior I had already photographed Jess’s sister, Tasmin’s wedding. Tasmin’s wedding definitely broke the mold on this new way I want to experience photographing weddings…if and when I continue to photograph them, more on this later... Anyway, Jess’s was a destination wedding and so I spent 3.5 days with the bride, groom and their families for the majority of the day, a few hours by hire and a few by choice. on one of the last days I was with them, they had a “wedding” but not really, more like a commitment ceremony, 12 guests. when jess was getting ready, it dawned on me that I was her “lady in waiting.” she didn’t have a bridesmaid and her mom left the room to get dressed and so it was just jess and I during this sacred moment. I remember realizing that while it was happening, like, wow, I’m really the only person in here...this is special. should I put my camera down? should I speak? I didn’t want to taint her memories by awkwardly babbling, I’m really good at that. Jess asked me for my opinion on her hair, her hair pins, crucial shit! I felt responsible! one of my biggest “responsibilities” was to help her decide if she should wear this beautiful dramatic body chain or this unique handmade necklace. we went for drama and I put my camera down for a minute and helped her put it on. at the end of the night while i was walking out Jess stopped me and put her hand out and told me she wanted me to have the other necklace she decided not to wear. I thanked her and attempted to communicate in words how thankful I was…I walked to my room & bawled. I live for these moments, not the gift but the moment and this weekend was FULL of them.
