Intimate Wedding at the Ames Free Library and Saphire Estate
What inspires a photographer to take a shot? Aside from the technical aspects constantly consuming my thoughts as I shoot, the thing that I am always looking to capture, that motivates me to lift the camera and release the shutter, is emotion. As a wedding photographer, my subject is people. What separates people from other inanimate subjects is the ability to feel and express emotion. Emotion conveys the subject’s experience and thoughts. Emotion tells a story. Without it, even the best technical photograph under the most ideal conditions is just not the same. So when a wedding comes along with a couple like Steve and Marissa, who are anything but afraid of showing their emotions, I am thrilled. From the first moment the groom, Steve, laid eyes on his bride, he was moved to tears. Even Marissa later commented on how amazed she was by Steve’s emotions. There was not a dry eye among the guests as the ceremony continued with the couple sharing their vows. But it wasn’t all tears of joy at this wedding. There were plenty of smiles and laughs to be photographed during their Saphire Estate reception. Most of it was at the expense of Steve, who was the target of some light roasting courtesy Marissa’s father. There was so much happiness present for Steve and Marissa’s special day that its was contagious.