Melissa and Barrett are not the types to stand on a table and scream “HEY, LOOK AT ME.” I’d bet that if given the opportunity they probably would have quietly eloped in some small seaside cottage. They’re awesome, just very low key about the “whole wedding thing.” It’s ok, even great, to be a bride and not be a bridey-bride. A good wedding is not measured by how expensive the venue is or how big the raw bar is or how painstaking the details are. It’s about the love! Really it is. It’s about the tone you set for yourself and your family and friends. You’re setting a stage and sending a message. And this message was pretty simple, “let’s get married – quick – and get to the party!”
I love all the moments you captured–they are unexpected but so real. I’m still absorbing everything, but I feel like I’ll see something new every time I look at them and I absolutely love that. Seeing the ones of Barrett and myself….well, those are the ones that just leave me speechless. Thank you!
Melissa & Barrett
Some people ask me “what exactly is photojournalism”? Well, it’s a lot of things really but most importantly it’s about telling a real story, letting things unfold naturally, and as the Godfather of American Photojournalism education, Cliff Edom, said “Posing is verboten.” The essence of this for me is “don’t mess with a good thing.” The way that stories unfold is through moments and since you can’t redo anything that’s natural and real, nor would you want to, you have to capture it in the moment, as it’s happening. Never being content that the moment I just captured was the best moment of a situation, you’ll find me staying behind the camera continuously as moments unfold. I’m searching, recomposing, waiting for little gems to peak up and reveal themselves so I can snatch ‘em up. Below is a series that I think really gets at the idea of sticking with a situation because you never know exactly how it’s going to unfold so I hunker down, frame the bouquet as it’s revealed, wait and CLICK, wait and CLICK, wait and CLICK. They’re all different but also add up to a fun expression of Melissa’s reaction to this pretty amazing bouquet.
First views are always sweet, even in a hotel room surrounded by family and friends.
Melissa’s favorite movie, When Harry met Sally, played quietly all night in the Chestnut Club’s dessert area.
So sweet, this little boy dancing with his mama!
Even though Barrett and his buddies are Canadian, there’s just something that Bon Jovi does to guys at a wedding!
Getting Ready: Sofitel Philadelphia
Reception & Ceremony Venue: Chestnut Club
Flowers: Offshoots
Caterer: Feastivities
Band: Don Eaton Band
Wedding & Shoe Dress: Badgley Mischka
Groom & Groomsmen: Hugo Boss
They’re GREAT!!! Oh, It really looks like people were having a good time too, which is what I was hoping for!
So much emotion and a very high class event. Well done!