From the moment I first started photographing weddings, I knew it would be stressful. The first wedding I ever took part in was an emotionally raw experience for me and I remember being unsure if it was something I could continue to do. While photography has been a passion of mine since I was a little kid, photographing weddings was far more than I had ever bargained for.
While family portraits, senior pictures, school pictures and etc only take a few hours for a session, a wedding fills out a full day. It is so much more difficult to capture perfect moments with people that are constantly moving and the time it takes filtering through and editing pictures later is an exhausting process.
With each wedding I captured, I found myself enjoying the happiness of those around me, but discovering I really didn't enjoy the job of it anymore. My passion was waning and that felt terrible.
As the date of Ryan & Jean's wedding approached, I knew that it would be the last wedding I would ever photograph. I felt worry and uneasiness and even guilt fill my stomach as the day neared. I was convinced that by the time it was over, I would feel relief and joy for the end of that part of my photography hobby.
Nothing could have surprised me more that what actually happened.
From the moment I reached the church and people began to filter in from the bridal party, I found myself thrilled with the amount of good-natured, happy and smiling people I was meeting. Through so many weddings I had attended in the past (not just photographed) I found that so many people had let the event become stressful and so focused on perfection, they forgot that the reason for the event was to celebrate love. I could tell in less than an hour around Jean & Ryan's family and friends that this wedding was going to be different.
Every member of Jean and Ryan's family were kind and friendly during the entire day. There was no grumpiness, no tension... just love.... so much love.
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and watching the two of them smile at each other every minute of the day was enough to renew my spirit and energy. Every child in the wedding smiled and behaved, never fussed and were on their best behavior without looking as if they felt unhappy about it, as children tend to do at weddings. Even they were having a great time!
If that all wasn't enough, the reception was even more flooring. Jean's mother had been struggling with some very serious health issues and it was important to Jean that on a day most brides would only be concerned with themselves that her mother know just how much love and support she is surrounded with. After Ryan & Jean danced, Jean's mom was brought to the floor.
With Martina McBride's "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" playing in the background, Jean & Ryan, followed much of her family, took turns dancing with their mother. I was never so glad to have my camera to hide behind, because the tears were rushing down my face.
I cannot stress enough how full of love and joy the room was... Everything about this wedding, this family.... it made me realize just how many good people there still are in the world.
I've still chosen to discontinue future wedding photography...but not because I can't stand it anymore... but because I will never be a part of another celebration of love that moved me so much...and I like the idea that the last wedding I ever photographed will be the one that affected me so deeply on such a positive level.
Thank you Ryan & Jean. I couldn't be more honored and grateful that you included me in your day. It's one I will never forget.
Without further adieu, I give you Jean & Ryan
