Each time I met with Annie, Crissy (the First Lady) and Elizabeth James (the planner) Annie expressed her commitment to keeping the wedding laid back and fun. And by laid back I mean, a bride and bridesmaids in boots, a bonfire with s’mores, a rockin’ band, the game of corn hole, and our own version of a photo booth. Elizabeth executed Annie’s vision brilliantly and everything went off without a hitch even with 30 minutes of rain that decided to start during the post ceremony photos.

I have to admit, the secret service can be intimidating to work around. Although I didn’t think about it at the time, it probably would not have gone over very well had I encouraged all of the guys with “ear-pieces” to get together for a photo.

As the wedding photographer, I have to build trust as quickly as possible with my subjects. If they didn’t trust me, like me, or want me around; it would be impossible to capture the genuine moments that they are drawn to in the first place. One of the best ways to do this is to be a part of the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Getting to know everyone and being there as the stories and memories are told is a special time and is a valuable way to connect before the wedding.

My favorite part of the wedding was the rice getaway. The photos were amazing and it was my first experience with a rice getaway. No one does it anymore because of the danger it poses to birds which is actually an urban myth and rice is fine for birds. I believe the myth was brought about because churches didn’t want to have to clean it up.

It has to be said and I know the photos don’t do it justice, but Gov. Haslam danced the best father-daughter dance I have ever seen. I know my jaw wasn’t the only one in the floor as they did spin after spin. I made a commitment that day to take dance lessons (someday) and try to outdo him at my daughter’s wedding (Olive is 10 months old.)

I hope you enjoy the photos!

I really love these photos (including their engagement and wedding photos), and we had a great time making them.

With most Indian weddings, a specialized Indian wedding photographer is hired since they are familiar with the meaning and progression of events. Niketa Patel had a love for art and wanted a photo journalistic approach for her wedding photos. As she began to explain some of the customs and traditions I started to realize this would be much bigger than I had expected. I explained to her that as a photojournalist I would be engaged the entire time and anything and everything that happened would be photographed and not to worry. It was more strenuous than I had imagined for I ended up shooting 11,877 images in a little more than a weekend.

In my estimation, the scope and planning of the event was equal to at least 3 American weddings if not 10. Niketa spent 6 weeks in India planning and designing the wedding. As is customary, she had approximately 100 saris (traditional Indian dress) made to give as gifts to the women in her new family. Niketa had 3 different gowns made for herself, each with its own array of amazingly ornate jewelry. I was present for at least 3 complete meals for the 500 guests, but there were many more meals catered on the days leading up to and following the wedding.

The countless cultural traditions and religious ceremonies and rituals were really the thing that surprised me. There were also many comedic Indian wedding traditions, like the bride’s sisters not letting the newly married couple leave the wedding while standing in front of the car demanding payment to move and to prove they weren’t joking, these negotiations went on for about 30 minutes. Even after the bride and groom left the wedding, they immediately returned for an hour of games played only by the bride and groom while others watched. One of which was trying to knot their gowns together so tight the other could not undo it.

As one can imagine, the food, colors, rituals, traditions, and cultural tendencies are so far from anything American that even that even one’s imagination pales next to the actual experience. I could write a book, as I am sure has been done, telling about all of the blessings and rituals and their meanings as well as all of my new experiences, but to see them all back to back over the course of 4 days leaves one feeling dazed, inspired, and very much alive. Photos will have to pick up where words leave off.

Most people think that a bright sunny day would make for great pictures and actually it is the hardest time to shoot. I am so happy it rained on their wedding day.  It made dry landscape brighten with color and sheen, it forced a tent to be used letting color and light be the backdrop, and thunderstorm clouds and wind are perfect for photos.

My favorite part of the wedding was the getaway. Jack is a helicopter pilot (as well as so many other things) so they planned a helicopter getaway after the reception. I love helicopters and flying in general and the moment was really unique.

Susannah is Australian and her family was here for a few weeks before the wedding helping, relaxing, and discovering Tennessee. A week before the wedding I spent some time in the helicopter with Jack and his soon-to-be family cruising over downtown Nashville; very fun (thanks Jack!)

With the help of Sarah Willard of Music City Events the rainy event went perfectly smooth and every vendor was impeccable. Definitely the best wedding cake I had ever tasted, and trust me I have had a few) thanks to Yall Be Sweet. The flowers were tasteful and classy and the indoor and tent lighting was perfect. Lighting is everything when it comes to photography. If photography is the most important thing to you then lighting should be next in line. A tent can be as perfect as outdoors with the right lighting.

Enjoy.

I fell in love with 2nd Wind their band and was stunned, its no wonder they are the most booked band in Cincinnati, by far one of my favorite wedding bands ever, way too much fun for a wedding reception.

The newlyweds are back in D.C. now where they met after leaving Cincinnati. Their work takes them both all over the globe so it was no wonder their menu featured three different buffets: Indian, Thai and American. I loved being a part of it and hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.

It always amazes me how many amazing shots you can get in 2 hours. I think the key is knowing what won’t work before you start so you don’t waste time. In your head you run through all the different angles and possibilities with the lighting before you take your first picture.

Holding up my hand and twisting it to see lighting ratios and shadows helps me get a sense of what the challenges are before you get your clients involved. Even then sometimes I will set up a shot, take one picture and know its just not right and decide to move on. Even if its a clients idea, I will try it, but will move on quickly if it doesn’t work. I am there because they trust me and I need to make the most out of every setup; that comes from shooting weddings and having to make split second decisions all day long.

For the outside shots we needed to come in every 15 minutes or so to keep her nose from becoming red. It was a snowy day so the warm fur coat worked well.

We shot at their family friends historic home on Main Street in Franklin, TN. They also let us use their vintage British roadsters although I didn’t sit in them, I couldn’t fit; it was smaller than a Miata, but very cool.