I have rewritten this sentence so many times, trying to find the right words to express how I feel. Ally and Jon’s wedding was a special one for me…probably because with all the couples that I have had the privilege of documenting on their wedding day, I have witnessed Ally grow up in a way that brings me so near to the experience of being a father myself. Knowing Ally’s family for the past decade has given our family a front row seat for witnessing the Smith kids grow and mature before our eyes. Watching her dad Kevin walk Ally down the aisle gave me a powerful glimpse of what my future might possibly hold, if either of my dear girls ever choose to get married.
The day finally arrived for these two...i can remember vividly, sitting in my living room in oxford, skyping with alexis and rob and talking about this past weekend as a future moment of celebration we were going to be sharing. and now, the day has come and gone...what a day it was. you would have thought we were in late september with the absolutely perfect weather. so many singular moments in time to hold onto from saturday, so many memories to be treasured.
take just one look at a photo of either of these two and you wouldn't be surprised if you were told they worked professionally in some modeling agency...and i guess in some ways i was told that wouldn't be too far from reality! so much beauty, elegance, class, and happiness! these two just complimented each other so beautifully..and their families were a great gift to be around all day.
thank you a&r, for inviting me to sharing in your wedding day - i hope you enjoy this little window in the story of your celebration. it was lovely in so many ways, and i wish you both the very, very best in your marriage*
much love,
- npe
a question i often ask couples who get in touch with me is where they found my name in the search for a wedding photographer. and no matter how many times i hear it, i am still grateful and honored to hear that they were recommended to me by past clients. there is an inherent accountability in the work that i do..no matter how many weddings i shoot, each and every one has to be respected as the only one that matters in that moment. to have past couples encourage their friends to invest in me for their wedding day is so humbling and gives me great joy every time i get the chance.
for megan and eric, their wedding on saturday was that very scenario. one of eric's groomsmen derek, was a groom from one of my weddings last year. and so, not only is it a great honor, but it feels like a growing family as i see past couples, friends and families at these weddings and remind myself that as much as people see the images..this work is so much more than just photographs. its about people, relationships, and the celebration of love in so many honest, intimate, and beautiful ways.
i am pretty sure that the west michigan autumn day on saturday was just trying to keep up with megan on her wedding day. she looked absolutely stunning, and her husband eric embodied the hashtag that megan coined for him...#frustratinglyphotogenic haha! thank you both for the privilege of joining this past weekend. i hope you love your wedding day preview as much as i loved editing it. blessings to you two in the many years to come!
all the best,
-npe
so i'll tell you right away..i am pretty sure i broke every rule for the reasonable number of portraits for a bride and groom in one blog post. but hopefully once you scroll down, you will understand why! when a couple is this easy to photograph, and the light is this wonderful all day, you just can't help yourself!
i met whitney a few years ago as a guest at another wedding i was shooting and had the wonderful privilege of photographing her mother's wedding in 2014. when couples ask you to capture their wedding day after witnessing your work, especially for family members, it is probably the highest compliment i can receive. and the day was so much fun, seriously. ben and i could totally pass off as long time friends i am pretty sure, with the fact that we couldn't stop laughing at the awesome awkwardness that photos can sometimes be!
thank you b&w, for the gift of celebrating beside you two and your beautiful families. leland will always hold a special place in my heart, and the fact that your wedding was there makes it all the more magical! lets relive this past weekend, what do you say? i loved working through these images...pretty sure i cried while editing your vow photos. love you guys!
- npe
it was a whole lot of fun and laughter, thats for sure! whitley and adam love each other, and they do the perfect job of not taking themselves too seriously, all the while loving every moment of life and exuding an overwhelming happiness. who wouldn't want to be around that all the time? it was perfectly complimented by the stunning venue of the hidden vineyard wedding barn, a place i've been waiting to photograph for a while!
saturday was beautiful, and as always..a privilege to witness. thank you whitley and adam for inviting me along for your celebration. you guys trusted me and i hope it was worth it! i loved working through this preview and i hope it brings you right back to the magic of saturday*
blessings,
- npe
i had the privilege of joining with kaleigh and dylan this past saturday, along with their joyous family and friends...to celebrate a wedding that was several years in the making. these two had been together for years and i could certainly feel the culminating excitement and love that broke through every moment last weekend. no amount of rain earlier in the day could derail the joys and anticipation that dylan and kaleigh had all day long.
the ceremony was inside at the family church which worked out perfectly as the rain decided to stop just after the ceremony was done and we had the freedom to hit the party bus and make any stops we wanted for photos. and talk about a fun wedding party - kaleigh and dylan, you certainly surrounded yourselves with wonderful friends who love and adore you!
thank you two so much for welcoming me in - i felt like one of the party and loved spending the day with you. i wish you two the very best and all God's blessings in your marriage. one wedding day down, 100 or more anniversaries to go!
all the best,
-npe
i was standing with her at the end of the night. guests had made their way out to gather for the sparkler exit and her new husband was saying goodbye to grandpa in the corner. susie recalled, with deep gratitude in the tone of her voice, a conversation she remembered having with her mom...where the topic of taking mental pictures of special life events had been discussed.
'my mom told me how she remembered carrying me up to bed, and thinking of how heavy i was getting...and how this might be the last time i let her carry me because i was getting so big. she made sure to remember everything about that moment'
and there we stood, just about to run out through a flood of love and sparklers...and susie reminded herself to take a mental picture. justin joined us, and off we went, heading for the tunnel of sparks and a final few photos..
what a good reminder that was for me, standing there at the end of what was a wonderful day. we benefit greatly from the purposed practice of slowing down in the midst of life, and settling our senses enough to hold the moment in grateful appreciation. i didn't get the chance to meet susie or justin in person before their wedding day..but it didn't matter. these two graciously welcoming me into the beautiful mayhem of what a wedding day can be, breaking at the seams with moment after moment of laughter and love. and what a day it was!
thank you susie and justin, for the trust you placed in me, and for the incredible honor you gave me of helping to cement those fleeting moments into your memories forever. it was so much fun to be back to the states for such a celebration. i wish you both the very best. continue to cultivate a love between you two...serve one another with a selfless love, and never, ever, stop dating ;D
much love,
-npe
