Um, so the whole beauty and brains thing? Totally real with Kimyatta. She's a practicing scientist, curriculum writer, teacher of teachers, and (duh) totally gorgeous. But more importantly than that, she is so kind and strong, and her husband and little girl are so soooo lucky to have her! So naturally I took her to a pretty dilapidated boardwalk at 8 in the morning. lol She can make anything look good!
I love a beautiful picture as much as the next girl but if it doesn't have the spark of honesty, of someone being themselves, if it feels forced at all, then it just kills it. Being yourself sounds like an easy thing but it really takes a lot of bravery to be that vulnerable.
Chelsea was willing to be so open and trust me, and you can really feel that here. That's my one of favorite parts of being a photographer, helping people feel so comfortable and cared for that they'll give me the chance to photograph the real them.
Weddings are more beautiful and complicated than we give them credit for. There are sooo many emotions from everyone on a wedding day. Nerves about being the center of attention, peace about a decision that was never hard to make, sadness at change, totally asleep on your feet once the adrenaline wears off. And the complicated feelings come from everyone, not just the bride and groom.
But that's part of why weddings are so special and forever hold our interest. They happen in the middle of everything, they hit the pause button on life for a few hours and remind us all of how good we all have it, to participate in life together, as family, as friends, as lovers. The chaos really is beautiful.
As a photographer, I love the diversity of women that I get to work with. But over the years, I've noticed they all have one thing in common, a love of nature. Being outside, relaxing in the sunshine, never afraid to get a little dirty. The outdoor world speaks to their souls as much as it does to mine.
