In March of 2017, I photographed the wedding of Ami and Duane in Mexico along the beautiful Atlantic coast. That morning as Ami and her ladies were finishing up at the Spa, I found myself waiting for them to get organized and head back to their room to finish getting ready. As I was standing there, surrounded by palm trees, some of the groomsmen happened to wander by and what was supposed to be a quick walk back to the room, turned into an unorganized but highly entertaining chaos. As I was giggling to myself as the shenanigans unfolded, I was soon joined by one of Ami’s Bridesmaids, Samantha. From our spot to the side we then proceeded to make fun of situation and laugh together. It was nothing too amazing but it was a moment where I felt like I was not a hired vendor but part of larger group of friends.
Fast forward to this fall and I am now photographing Samatha’s wedding at Williams Tree Farm. It is a beautiful fall day and Ami is her Matron of Honor. I am surrounded by pine trees instead of palm’s, fields of grass instead of sandy coasts, Amos the camel instead of brown pelicans… the setting could not be more different. I am shoulder to shoulder with a new group of friends and the most important guest, Samantha and Jake’s 4 legged furry child. However, the feelings that are going through me are so perfectly familiar. Weekend after weekend I am blessed to part of a day that is the most important day in a couple’s life. Sometimes I am a photographer, sometimes I am photographer who gets his hands a little dirty in making the day special for couple past photography and sometimes I end up being a friend who is just holding a camera… just like I felt at Samantha and Jake’s wedding.
Samatha and Jake, thank you for letting me a part of your day but greater yet, thank you for bringing me into your circle of family and friends!
