Kelly and Jonathan’s wedding was my last one for 2009 and it couldn’t have ended any better. Every single wedding I photographed this year were so different and unique from each other, but the one thing they had in common was that in the quiet moments away from everyone, I was blessed to see two people open their hearts and feel the love they have for each other. As I reflect back on 2009, I didn’t expect to have such opportunities open up to me. Still, I find myself continually struggling to balance the craft, the art and the business of photography; however, I want to share part of a note that Kelly wrote to me after her wedding that made everything so clear.
“I am in debt to you for years to come and the only thing I will ever have to offer you is a constant stream of recommendations that speak to a man of infinite talent, soft spoken graciousness and the most uncanny ability to zero in on what is unique to every couple in the everchanging backdrop of a wedding weekend. You have my word that I will personally speak to every bride you ever ask me to for the rest of my life… I am a perfectionist and the reason why your photos turn out the way they do is because you are a perfectionist too. You know when I knew that was the case 100 percent? Not when you kept moving us three inches forward to hit the perfect light or got down on your stomach in Central Park or when you traveled with us to three boroughs to get to Yankee stadium. It was when you pulled out your camera after a 12 hour day and took pictures of Jonathan and me packing up the bean bags…and then again when you took us upstairs for the NY night shot as the waiters broke down the tables. There was something magical that happened Saturday night…and a part of that magic was your presence with us capturing the evening. I am indebted to you for all of your time, all of your talent, all of your patience.”
I was speechless to receive such graciousness. Her note reminded me why photography isn’t just a job but an inseparable part of my life. And as a wedding photographer, I may shoot many weddings, but for each of my clients, it is their only wedding. It is that trust and responsibility that I will always hold dear.
So, on to the wedding photos. The celebration began the night before at their rehearsal dinner at the historic Fraunces Tavern. What better place to celebrate the importance of family and legacy.
The toasts were filled with laughs and tears.
Kelly knew she couldn’t make it through her toast to Jonathan without crying so she had to make sure to have it written.
The next day, everyone got ready at Ink48.
Transportation issues kept Jonathan on his toes.
Still, when all else fails, there are a million cabs from which to choose.
After the ceremony, we all went to The Glass Houses‘ 21st floor loft for the reception. The lighting proved to be challenging, but it all worked out very nicely.
A small little incident in the kitchen sent the NYFD over but it didn’t stop the party.
Jonathan completely surprised Kelly when the NYU acapella group, “Mass Transit” came out of the elevator and performed specially worded renditions of classics by Queen.
I love that Kelly kicked off her shoes at the end of the long evening to dance with her father.
After the reception, after all of the guests had left, I was packing up my gear when I noticed Kelly and Jonathan taping up boxes for the bean bags they had gotten for the kids who came. No celebratory ride off in a limo, just two people, madly in love with each other, packing up stuff from their party.
As I was riding down the elevator, ready to get back to my hotel, I realized that there was one shot that I never got. And I knew it would just bother me all the way back to Los Angeles if I didn’t go back up and ask them for just one more photo.
Thank you so much, Kelly and Jonathan, for entrusting me to document your wedding! Special thanks to Laura Boyd of Laura Boyd Studio for joining me on such short notice.
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