I know I've mentioned this before, but when you are talking with a wedding photographer and viewing his or her images, listen for the stories. I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding this past June for a family I have known for a number of years. This particular father's love for his daughters was palpable. His other two girls were happily married, and now it is time for him to walk his third and last daughter down the aisle.

 

He turned to his daughter and said, "Are you ready, baby?"

Ok, I don't really know his exact words. This photo was taken by Mindy Porter, my partner and daughter, but knowing him, and knowing the dynamic of this family, that's what he meant.

 

It causes me to stop and consider exactly what it is that I do, and thank God that I can do it, for the images we capture will tell that same emotional story to new generations for years to come.

 

We have stories from almost every wedding we have photographed. Each wedding is different and wonderful in its own way, and there is always at least one moment that causes the eyes to get moist and makes me want to take my eye off of the viewfinder - but I can usually resist the temptation.

 

Stories include the widower's grown children who, at their father's second marriage stood up and publicly gave their blessing to the wedding; the families in Beaver Dams who were in love almost as much as the couple, the "Corpse Bride" wedding with the black wedding cake with orange pumpkins and green vines. The cake topper was a couple of skeletons next to a headstone that said "Love Never Dies", and many, many more.

 

I said all that to say this. Listen to your photographer. Listen to their stories, and see if they are emotionally affected by the images. What YOU want and NEED in a photographer is someone who truly believes in the ceremony and the sanctity of marriage, and can get emotional about it.

 

You deserve someone who will care about you, not just "do the job".

 

 

---

Monroe Payne and his partner Mindy Porter are owners of The Payne Family Photographers . They have been life long residents of the Ithaca area, and have been in business since 1996, photographing weddings, families and events throughout the Northeast United States. Monroe is also the Vice Chair of the Finger Lakes section of the Professional Photographers Society of New York State, and active with the volunteer photographers organization "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep".
----
v6i4