Last year I started the “Mine & Theirs” series where I featured a few of the weddings I photographed that year. I asked a few of my couples this year to let me in on what their favorite wedding images were and why. Then I get to choose my favorite image from their wedding. It is such an awesome way for me to get a glimpse into the most meaningful moment of the entire wedding day for my clients. I was there. I took the image. But often I have no idea what meaning it holds for my clients.
This has been an amazing way for me to learn how my work affects my clients and it’s also an interesting challenge for me to narrow down a wedding to my single favorite image. It’s a bit different for me because I do not have the strong emotional attachment to the images, like many of my clients do. I might choose a favorite due to a particular angle or beautiful light. They choose an image because of the way it hits their heart. I love that!
So without further rambling, here is the first part of the 2010 “Mine & Theirs” series…..
Cory & Brad
.jpg "Colorado wedding photography-32")
Cory said: “I am not sure I can narrow it down to just one photo, as I look back on the all photos they are so magical and so unreal almost like a dream. This photo is so whimsical, the beautiful mountain backdrop and the way that my vail is perfectly blowing in the wind it doesn’t even seem real.”
.jpg "Colorado wedding photography-31")
Brad said: “I love this image because it really captures our personalities and relationship. We are always able to find humor in any of even the most serious situations. I think it looks like an image that would be in Time Magazine.”
.jpg "Garden of the Gods wedding-1009")
Cory and Brad’s wedding day had amazing weather. Blue skies, bright sun, not a single cloud in the sky. Wonderful weather for a wedding. The kind of weather couples pray for. It’s also the kind of weather photographers pray against. I remember walking into the wedding day asking God “Please? Just one little tiny cloud?” Pretty please?” This wedding presented the most challenging lighting I have ever had at a wedding. The sun was so dang bright! And because Garden of the Gods is such a beautiful backdrop, there was no way I could not shoot in this direction for all the portraits and family formals. I just had to accept the fact that I was going to be shooting into direct, harsh sunlight for a good solid 3 hours and I was going to have to make it work for me, no against me. I was really proud of myself for working around the difficult lighting conditions and producing great images, even if it was difficult! This image was my favorite because it allowed my to truly see that no matter what conditions I’m dealing with, I am able to provide consistently great results. After all, that’s what a professional photographer does!
Mindy & Doug
Mindy said: “This picture is from our first dance and it really captures the very essence of our relationship – lots of love, laughter, and comfort in each others arms. Even though you can’t see Doug’s face, you can tell that he is smiling too (even though he hates dancing!). I absolutely love this picture!“
Doug said: “This is hands down my favorite picture. It captures us through the eyes of both my uncle who is holding the camera in the picture and through the creative eye of Becky. I don’t know how she did it, but it is pretty awesome!”
I LOVE this image. I love it because it combines the beauty of Colorado, with the light snowfall, with a wonderful couple, very much in love. They look like they should be in a snowglobe! It also reminds me of just how awesome Colorado brides are. It was absolutely freeeeezing outside. Mindy was such a trooper and didn’t complain once about being cold or wanting to go inside. That makes my job so much easier.
Mindy and Doug were one of my favorite couples I have ever worked with and I met the for the first time on their wedding day! They are living proof that I have the best clients ever!
Cassie & Justin
Cassie said: “This is the image where we are in focus and as is our reflection in the marble. I love this picture both because we look happy and natural in it, but also for the way that the reflection blends with the background and creates a symmetry to the photo.”
Justin said: “This is the image where we are back-lit at the top of the capitol steps with trees in the background. I love this photo because it shows great detail in the stone of the capitol and the spring trees in the background, while the lack of detail in our faces gives the illusion of privacy to our kiss.”
This was one of those images that was a favorite of mine before I even took it. I absolutely adore the expression on Cassie’s face. Often, when a couple see each other for the first time during the ceremony, there is no way for them to say anything to each other, because they’re in the middle of their wedding ceremony and it would be awkward to say in the middle of it “Hey! I think you look really handsome today! I’m so excited to be standing here with you right now, can you believe this is happening!?! I love you!!!” So you have to speak with your eyes instead. I don’t know what Cassie was thinking at this moment, but I see a whole lot of love, excitement & contentment in her eyes.
Brittany & Brian
Brittany said: “I chose that picture, because it shows how happy we both were at that moment!“
Brian said: “I chose his image because I liked how you incorporated the environment so nicely into that shot. It was special to spend that time together taking those shots after the ceremony.”
I chose this images because anytime I see it, I laugh. Brittany and Brian’s laughter and joy are so dang contagious that I find myself laughing with them anytime I see this picture. I have never seen 2 people so happy on their wedding day. They laughed and smiled their way through the entire thing, it was awesome. They really represent my “ideal” clients: easy going, mountain-loving, down to earth and full of joy. I see this image and I am reminded that I get to work with people like Brittany and Brian for a living, how cool is that?!
Amy & David
Amy said: “This pic summarizes how all of my expectations were exceeded on our wedding day.”
David said: “I chose this picture because it captures a very candid and spontaneous moment after our wedding ceremony. Having this carefree moment captured with those in the wedding party reminds me of how much fun I had that day and how lucky Amy and I were to have everyone who was able to come and share it with us.”
This is definitely my favorite image from David and Amy’s wedding. I love it because it combine 3 things I dearly love: groups of happy people, mountains and shooting with my husband. David capture this image from the side as I had the group looking at me. I love that he caught such a fun moment! I always get so excited when David is able to come with me to weddings, not only because it’s great having my husband around, but because is a really talented photographer!
Cassy & Wes
Cassy said: ”Those that don’t know me must understand I have balance issues J I will take a tumble on any surface no matter the conditions or whether is it flat or not, so I am pretty cautious. In the picture you can see I am concentrating so I don’t fall and hurt myself or my dress. Wes has and will always be there (with a smile) to hold my hand and help me cross and I will always do the same for him. This picture represents our vows to each other. No matter what roads we cross we will cross them together!”
Wes said: I chose this image because it shows my beautiful wife and I together while enjoying a very special moment of the wedding the best man taking the Mick out of me for waiting so long to propose and marry cassy.”
I caught the ring bearer and flower girl holding hands before the ceremony and just about died from the overload of cuteness. This is my favorite image from the day because it was one of those moments that only happened once and it lasted for about 5 seconds. I’m so glad I was able capture it before they saw me and ran away!
Stay tuned for Part 2 in a few days! =)
