First, I know this isn't a Monday, but I wanted to use this image as one of my Single Shot Monday installments and it really only makes sense close to the proximity to Mother's Day. We'll all just have to deal with the chaos.
Second, a disclaimer that this obviously isn't an image I made. I wasn't even a glimmer in my parents eyes at this moment in time. I wouldn't come along for quite a few years. I know my Mom's father was interested in photography so he could have made this image, or a guest or the professional photographer they had that day. Unfortunately I can't credit anyone.
So, the power of photographs. I put this on my Instagram feed (https://instagram.com/rgarnick/) and on Facebook as well for Mother's Day this past Sunday. It also happens to be my parents anniversary and they would have been married for 45 years on Sunday. I say would have because my Dad passed away from a very aggressive brain tumor back in 2001. They met during their high school years, married and were very much in love until my fathers death. I consider myself lucky to have learned about the idea of love from my parents relationship. Something strong, intense, where you make some sacrifices along the way, but you stick with the other person in good times and bad. You take care of them, through challenges, through cancer. So when I found this image it made me smile. How can you not smile seeing the joy on their faces?
What makes this photograph successful for me is largely due its simplicity. It's pretty straight-forward in it's execution. But obviously the most powerful part is the emotion and happiness in the moment that you can see even in the small photograph and slightly crappy scan. I'm quite certain this is right outside the Martha Mary Chapel (here's a link to a wedding I shot there - http://www.blog.gmphotographers.com/2014/08/warren-conference-center-and-martha.html). There is a large lawn area in front of the Chapel and I would imagine this is immediately after the ceremony. This time can often be referred to as the magic 10 minutes. The newlywed couple have just finished the ceremony, kissed their first kiss as man and wife, and walked down the aisle looking at their family and friends. Then, they get outside and have a few minutes where they finally get to look at each other and the amazing reality washes over them like a flood. It's so intensely apparent and a moment of such sheer unadulterated happiness. That's why I always try and get all my couples a few minutes alone right after the ceremony. It's nice for them to be able to bask in that feeling, if only for 5 or 10 minutes. Once the family and friends rush over to congratulate them, the feeling wanes and it's on to 'what's next' or 'ok time to party'. I strive every wedding to make an image this emotionally charged. So people can look at it many, many years from now and still feel the joy. Pretty amazing job I have if I don't say so myself :)
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