Because I didn’t know her then… {Why I Love Photography Part II}

They’ve always said I look just like her but I never saw it.  I didn’t know her then.

I didn’t know her when she fell in love, when she became a mom, when she watched her babies grow up.  I never imagined her to be anything like me.

But…then I saw the photographs.  She was just like me.  She was young.  She was a mom.  She did watch them grow up.

I wish I had known her then.  I think we would have been good friends.  But that would be impossible.

I would have never really known her without these photos.  They opened up her life to me and helped me see her as she was…not as my grandma…I already knew her that way.  But as a woman and a mother.

She has Parkinson’s now and her health and speech have faded with the last few years but because I have these photographs I will always know a part of her that I never got to see.

Should we see each other before the wedding? {Wedding Wednesday}

When I was planning our wedding I went with the traditional custom and didn’t see Josh before the ceremony.  Not seeing him just seemed like the “thing to do.”  But, if I had to do it all over, I would opt for a first glance.  After being right there as so many others have enjoyed this special moment…I just with I would have known.

Many of our brides also choose not to see their groom ahead of time.  Please know we would never try to talk anyone into seeing their hubby-to-be if they felt strongly about it, but for those that are just not seeing each other for the same reason I did…I have a few reasons why you may want to opt for this newer trend.

1. It’s often the only time of the day when the bride and groom get to be together alone.
2. It’s comforting.  When a couple sees each other they often are able to calm one another’s nerves and focus more on the day.  (I spent most of my own ceremony thinking, I have no idea what is being said.  I can’t focus at all.)
3. I’ve had more than one couple tell me it was their favorite time of the day AND resulted in their favorite photographs of the day.
4. We can still capture both of your faces the first time you see one another; it’s just not in front of everyone else, making the moment much more intimate.  (Dave and I have become pros at orchestrating the location and placement in order to get some great shots.)

Here are two examples of the first glances from 2009:

Jasmine Star, a photographer in Southern CA who I adore, also blogged on this same topic.  I would highly recommend checking out what she has to say here and here.

Upcoming Sessions to Benefit Haiti {We need your help.}

I remember hearing in college that Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.  My heart broke as I listened to some of the stories of extreme poverty.  When I heard of the earthquake I didn’t want to think about it at first.  I am ashamed to say that the older I get the more I want to shut out terrible things.  I want to close my ears and pretend that nothing’s happening.  But that’s not right.  It is happening and people desperately need help.  Desperately.  When I heard of Photographers for Haiti I felt led to participate.  Please join Heritage in helping these people in a time when they can’t help themselves.

On Saturday, February 27 we will be holding mini sessions for Haiti.  All session fees will be donated directly to Compassion International.  (You will make checks payable to Compassion so that your donation will be tax deductible.)

Family and Child Mini Sessions

• Cost: $75 (check written directly to Compassion International)
• When: Saturday, February 27
• Where: Heritage Studio (2381 Locust Street #3, Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614)
• What: a 20-25 minute session and 2-5×7s are included in the mini session price that will be donated
• What else: You will be able to choose from 10-15 retouched images.  50% of all sales from any other products purchased will be donated by Heritage.
• GOAL: $1000 for Haiti (Will you help us make it possible?)

The winner of our January contest prize (a 16×20 Gallery wrapped canvas) is…drumroll please….Brian.  Congratulations Brian.  We will be in touch to let you know the details.

And, since a blog post without a picture is like popcorn without butter, here’s one of my favorite landscapes that Dave has taken.

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