Thursday, December 17, 2009

Photostory Friday: All they need to know

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Honey Mommy





I shot a wedding for the daughter of some friends last Saturday. It was a beautiful experience.



I've seen a lot of life and a lot of love, through the lens of my camera -- parents and children, brothers and sisters, smiles and kisses and embraces. My favorite though, are brides and grooms. There is so much light and energy that radiates from a newly married couple, they renew everything and everyone around them.



Happiness is beautiful.



As I focused on the faces of Nikell and Barry Saturday morning, I was touched to watch them interact. They had eyes only for each other -- if I didn't ask them to look my way, they were lost in each other's eyes. There was no snow. There was no cold. There were not several dozen people watching their every move.



In all the world, there were only the two of them.



I thought of all that they don't yet know.



They don't know the daily difficulties of making a marriage work -- even a great one.



They don't know the awkwardness of their first argument -- or the relief of resolving that first disagreement.



They don't know the depth of love and emotion that comes from bringing children into the world.



They don't know that the love they feel on their wedding day will pale in comparison to the love they feel in fifteen -- or fifty -- years.



But they do know that they have each other. They know that the love each sees in the eyes of the other is real, and lasting. They know that the path they are on is the right one. They know that what they don't know, they will learn together.



And, for now, that's all they need to know.

27 comments:

Susan said...

The pictures are incredible, but what makes the post are your moving words.
Marriage is beautiful and complicated, but worth every single moment!

Honey Mommy said...

Beautiful photos! I wish you had been on hand to photograph my wedding! One of those things I didn't know was how much I would love to have beautiful wedding shots like these!

Robyn said...

Aw, beautiful post. Gorgeous photos.

Mom24 said...

That's so, so true and so beautiful.

I hope they'll be really happy together.

Emily said...

They are such a sweet looking couple. You're right...I think back to my wedding day and how much I loved my husband then but how much I know and love him now! That new love is exciting but the history you build together that brings about everlasting love.

Cecily R said...

Fantastic shots Chris. Really.

CC said...

Wow. The pics are amazing. And as I read, and thought about the ups and downs of my own marriage and watched these two, I almost teared up. Those final thoughts and that last picture took the cake.

And I'm with Honey Mommy, we had a good photographer, but got none of the emotional shots that you captured. Can we have a do-over with you???

{krista} said...

This was absolutely beautiful. What I wouldn't give to go back and re-experience those newlywed feelings again... and to have you photograph my wedding.... wow... stunning photos!

DaBudges said...

Your posts are always so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Pam Emmons said...

You just made me cry.

Maggie May said...

You seem an absolute natural. You should be a professional photographer! Have you thought of this? Seriously.

Whenever I see a couple like this, just starting out, I always feel much the same as you do. All that lies ahead is hidden for the moment!

Nuts in May

Raise Them Up said...

Well said. Very well said.

It's so true. Watching a couple at a wedding does renew us. I never thought of it like that, before.

You were able to capture some beautiful pictures for them!

Kat said...

I should always grab kleenex before I come to your blog. I think I cry everytime. Just so touching.
:)

Jac said...

What absolutely beautiful photos!!

There is just something crazy romantic about a winter wedding, especially if you're blessed with snow on the day!

Jac @ wuzzlemakesthree.com

Jessa said...

As a newylwed that totally made me almost cry. Beautiful!

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

And beautiful again.

Corey~living and loving said...

whoa nelly! you rocked these pics. I'm still in awe of your talent. seriously. WOW!

really great post!

Steph said...

Fantastic pictures! And as usual you brought a tear to my eye.
You are so right...as usual.

Lindsay said...

Your words are perfect and anyone who has been married for any length of time can attest to them.

Awesome pics, as usual.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

kayerj said...

true that!

If I had known what I know now I sometimes wonder if I would have married. . .

but then knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Lori said...

You did a great job. Nikell and Barry look awesome. It was great to see you at the reception doing what you love. You are great.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Wonderful photos!~ You take excellent photos.
Your thoughts and always just perfect.

scrappysue said...

yep - there's SO much they don't know, but those pictures are just wonderful chris. she didn't even feel the cold did she?

Heidi said...

Yeah we're pretty much clueless when we get married.
I think if young kids really knew what it was like and the fact that it takes real work to make a marriage function, no teenager would actually want to put the effort into it.
Just kidding!
A new couple is very inspiring to those all around them.
Your pictures turned out beautiful. I definitley think you've found your calling in life.

Emmy said...

Beautiful pictures! That would be fun to shoot a wedding, but I am definitely a bit nervous to do so yet.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures and very powerful words. I love the last shot.

imbeingheldhostage said...

Oh Chris, those wedding pictures are breathtaking!! Stunning! THIS is why we're all shouting to you to follow your passion, you have a gift. If I were that bride, expecting my shots in a nice little portfolio, I'd especially love the words you wrote here included. Just a thought.