Someone once asked me, "why weddings?"

I knew I loved the glamorous details, the stunning bridal bouquets, and the emotion felt on the first day of marriage. But I had to dig deeper to discover why I chose to spend my weekends photographing weddings.  

Then one day, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Out of nowhere, I saw a quote. "If you want to see what someone fears losing, watch what they photograph."  

That quote stopped me in my tracks and the searching for the answer I was asked weeks prior was surfacing.  

I photograph weddings because I witnessed my parent's marriage crumble at the age of two and a half. There was no love in my home. There was no love in that marriage. A two and half year old's long term memory should not retain what I have remembered.  

I spend my weekends photographing weddings not for the lovely details and stunning floral arrangements, but because of marriage. The union of a man and woman is a beautiful event. The promise to have someone always in your corner, cheering you on through hard times and easy times. That's SPECIAL! Marriages are the start of legacies that change lives.  

My greatest hope for my photos is that during the difficult seasons of marriage, my couples can look back on their wedding photos and remember why it all started. Why that particular person is your person and will always be your person.

While my parent's marriage lasted less than three years, there is a very extraordinary marriage that I admire. I know what a happy and healthy marriage looks like. I understand compromise, forgiveness, and respect. I know these qualities thanks to my Grandparents. Grams and Pappy married in 1960 after a very short courtship of four months, and their marriage has spanned nearly six decades. These two people who I love more than words can say give me hope that any marriage can last with a lot of hard work and even more love. 

The Heart Behind

My Wedding Photography