Engaged in Pensacola: Daniel and Tiffany
The cutest couple on the beach.
Good Lord, they are a cute couple. I used to work with Daniel when we were both fresh out of school and worked at a car dealership. After three years, it's amazing to see about how far we both have come. Daniel and Tiffany's relationship is absolutely amazing; they were so much fun to shoot.
Married in Killington, Vermont: Brian and Carly
Wedding recap meets travelogue as I fly from Pensacola to the mountains of Vermont to capture an old friend's wedding in beautiful Killington, VT.
Brian and Carly, wed 10/04/2015
Almost a year ago, I received the following message.
Carly is an old friend. She was active in the Pensacola photography scene as a model and graphic artist several years ago before moving to Maryland. I had photographed a number of projects with her (one of which her fiance said was his all-time favorite photo set of her), and we had always had a good time collaborating. At the prospect of photographing Carly's wedding, in Vermont, in the fall, it was not in my nature to decline.
Eleven months later...
When the airport check-in desk asks "how much do you weigh?"
When I say that Killington Grand Resort is tucked away in the mountains of Eastern Vermont, I mean that it is truly tucked away. My route north from Pensacola ended with a final flight from Boston to Lebanon, NH aboard a Cessna 404 Titan, which made me regret my heavy lunch as the tiny plane skirted just over the mountaintops and settled down into Lebanon Municipal Airport. I met Carly's parents at the gate and together we drove to Killington.
Meeting Vermont
Whoa.
Annie's work schedule didn't allow for her to accompany me on this trip, so I checked into the lodge on my lonesome and spent the evening checking gear and topping up battery charges. I slept in the next morning and took some time to hike around the lake and get a feel for the lodge. Vermont in October makes an amazing first impression. I had never been that far north before, and I am blessed to have made my first trip during the most perfect time of the year. I was blown away by the natural beauty of the surroundings, and everyone I met in the lodge rivaled their Southern counterparts in their friendliness and hospitality.
The Wedding
2 p.m. rolled around and we started the photos. Working solo, I bounced back and forth between Carly and Brian's dress-up areas, acquainting myself with Brian for the first time and getting to know the family and friends. Carly and Brian are a laid back, fun couple, and their friends and family are as well.
Surrounded by good vibes and beautiful scenery, the ceremony commenced. Did I fail to mention that Carly is a first-rate comic book nerd? She is, and her dad stole the show by tearing his shirt open before walking her down the aisle to reveal a Superman uniform underneath. #RelationshipGoals. Seriously.
Brian and Carly both claiming Scottish heritage, the ceremony featured traditional Scottish elements, such as literally "tying the knot" with Brian's clan tartan and a ceremonial drink of Scotch whisky from the Loving Cup. The couple kissed as the shadows grew long and we captured some stunning images in the golden hour light.
Following the ceremony and photos, the reception escalated into a 10-alarm party in no time. Between the open bar and the genuinely fun-loving natures of all parties involved, it was the most crazy/fun party I've had the opportunity to shoot in some time. Scotland prevailed over the party yet again as Brian and his groomsmen briefly disappeared from the reception and returned in boots and kilts to finish the night.
Since everyone was staying at the lodge, there was no formal exit. Rather the entire party moved to an upstairs room and passed the rest of the evening with drinks and conversation. I had planned to retire after the reception to pack and get some sleep before rising early in the morning, but Brian wouldn't hear of it. You know you're photographing an amazing couple when they invite you to the after-party, sans camera!
All in all, shooting this wedding was a huge blessing to me, and it is with great pleasure that I delivered their photos a few weeks ago. Congratulations again, Brian and Carly.
Married in Pensacola, FL: Dillon and Jennifer
Backtracking to recap the weddings I covered over the summer. Read on for full recap of Dillon and Jennifer's beautiful wedding in Pensacola.
Dillon and Jennifer, wed June 6, 2015.
Dillon and Jennifer contacted me early in the year. This wedding was special in that their decision to engage me as their photographer based on the missions work in my portfolio. Jennifer has also experienced missions in India, and that shared experience turned out to be the deciding factor in their choice of photographer. Pretty cool.
With Dillon in school at West Point, the guests came from all over the map, many of them cadets in school with Dillon. I love shooting military weddings. In addition to the clean symmetry and fun traditions that dress uniforms and close brotherhoods lend to a wedding, military guys are just fun to shoot and tend to pick up on most of my Monty Python references.
That kind of closeness was also visible in Jennifer and bridesmaids. The cheers for Jennifer as she emerged from the dressing room in her dress for the first time was heartwarming. As an individual who finds it difficult to maintain consistent contact with more than two or three friends a quarter, I respect and am amazed when I see large groups of friends exhibit similar intimacy.
Dillon's father, Pastor Chris Aiken, officiated the service with the sly wit that only a father can dish out to his son. The ceremony included communion and music provided by one of Dillon's classmates on the violin. The reception convened with the requisite food and cake, plus an ice cream sundae bar.
Festivities concluded with Dillon and Jennifer exiting through a sword arch. All in all, a fantastic day.
This wedding took place at Calvary Baptist Church in Pensacola and officiated by Pastor Chris Aiken. Catering was provided by the family.
Married in Pensacola Beach, FL: Josh and Beka
Photography becomes easy when a beautiful couple decides to get married at one of the most picturesque locations in the entire area.
Sunset dreaming...
Josh and Beka, wed 9/12/2015.
Photography becomes easy when a beautiful couple decides to get married at one of the most picturesque locations in the entire area. Recreate any of these wedding photos with pen and ink and Josh and Beka's sunset wedding is completely Disney-ready.
I've worked alongside Rebekah at Levin-Rinke Resort Realty for about two years now, and throughout that time I've seen hers and Josh's relationship grow from a tenuous flirtation to a full-scale romance that went all the way to the altar. Annie and I have had the privilege to get to know them better and better over the last year, and this past summer they did me the ultimate honor of asking me to photograph both their engagement photos and their wedding.
Josh and Beka's wedding invitation... delivered to guests inside a film canister!
A better day could not have been designed. From the first look to the final exit, the entire day was picture-perfect. The ceremony took place aboard the Portofino I Dolphin Cruiser as the sunset sank to meet the horizon. Cool breezes prevailed and every guest was soon dancing aboard the boat as it circled Santa Rosa Sound.
I love this couple and I love the photos we made that day.
Ceremony officiated by Jack Kale. Catering provided by Terracotta at Portofino.
And, as a bonus round for those of you who read to the end, here is a shot from Halloween, when Josh and I competed in a costume contest as Deathstroke and Arrow.
Bruce and Rebekah - Pensacola Beach Wedding
