Why hire a professional photographer?
This article is not short or quick or any of the things in this computer age that we’ve all come to love but it is the truth. This subject has been covered before, we’ve heard it all. It’s about the memories and it documents the big day.
Trying to slip the ring on her finger with 40 degrees outside.
I want to cover another group of reasons for hiring a professional, you may not have thought of this during this happy time but some of the people who attend your wedding will die.
In my case my mother was already gone killed on Christmas day 1981 by a drunk driver. Somehow in my possessions I had an old photograph of my mother that the photographer had taken of her on her wedding day she standing on the steps of my grandparents home smiling, she was in this fabulous dress, an illusion neckline with beaded lace sleeves I saw her as a young, vibrant, beautiful woman starting a new phase of her life.
I want to cover another group of reasons for hiring a professional, you may not have thought of this during this happy time but some of the people who attend your wedding will die.
In my case my mother was already gone killed on Christmas day 1981 by a drunk driver. Somehow in my possessions I had an old photograph of my mother that the photographer had taken of her on her wedding day she standing on the steps of my grandparents home smiling, she was in this fabulous dress, an illusion neckline with beaded lace sleeves I saw her as a young, vibrant, beautiful woman starting a new phase of her life.
Our Wedding Day 10/27/2001
The night before my own wedding I was fishing under my bed looking for something I don’t remember what all these years later but I stumbled on that photo. Looking at it and seeing my mother smile back at me I was suddenly struck hard by that image and my tears just wouldn’t stop.
In that moment I realized why I had been on this ridiculous hunt for the “right dress” I did try on over 50 dresses, why certain plans about my wedding had been so important. She would not be there to see me get married.
Yesterday a client who’s wedding was very recent called to say that her mother had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, treatments have failed she is not expected to live much longer. My bride is in her mid twenties. Her mother is in her forties still young.
I’m reminded once again why what we do here is so important. It’s more than documenting a day; it’s giving those who survive a glimpse of the person as we capture them in life. A smile, a look, a tender moment shared.
At Artisan Photographics we have been the people with the last photograph of the young husband who died suddenly weeks after saying I do. Weddings are also the place where families who often haven’t seen each other over many years gather to share a happy occasion. Whether you select Artisan or someone else to photograph your wedding I urge you the bride to consider all that this day means. Maybe right now you aren’t thinking of the children you will have, or those you may lose , but some day long after the dress is packed away and the flowers have withered and died a child may ask you “ Mama can I see pictures from your wedding”?
Artisan Photographics based in Ocala, Florida and serves the Continental United States, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
A tender moment before the dove release. ( Shot with film at that time 10-27/2001)