I am crazy modest. Craaazy modest. So when anyone says anything to me about my work that is even one degree better than, "You shoot better than my half-blind three legged dog," I am overwhelmed with gratitude. You think I am exaggerating? You apparently don't know me.
That being said, can you imagine my shock and awe when I got the ULTIMATE compliment? The ULTIMATE gauge of the quality of my work? It is easy to understand my exuberance when an accomplished, top-notch, I-have-to-find-a-way-to-get-her-to-photograph-me photographer calls on ME to photograph one of the most special days in her life. The ultimate compliment? Yes. The ultimate intimidation? Ohhh, Nellie, yes!
This is what happened when the amazingly beautiful and talented Amoni Photography called on me to photograph the renewal of wedding vows at the beautiful Lions Club of Maple Shade. A celebration of love. A celebration of family. A celebration of ten years of dedication and commitment.
I cannot begin to tell you what a pleasure it was to witness this event. Not just photographically, because there is no easier job than photographing a photographer! Not just romantically, because there is no sweeter job than photographing two people who are passionately in love. And not just creatively, because there is no more fulfilling job than be asked to photograph an event that has been meticulously planned, down to every last solitary detail.
All of these combine to make for a pleasurable experience, but nothing I witnessed can compare to the love that I attempted to capture between not just husband and wife nor just the love between adoring parents and their adore-worthy kids. That's a given. It's their day, of course their love is on display for all to drink in.
I am referring to the love that left me smiling hours after the night was over. The love I saw between all the family and friends who so clearly love this family as much as they love each other. I wish you could have all been there to literally FEEL the palpable love in this room. I hope that I was even remotely able to capture that love, that spirit, that devotion that bonded all these wonderful people as they renewed the day, ten years ago, when two families were forever united by two words.
"I do."
A true love story indeed.