I recently photographed the wedding of my friend Carla’s daughter, Tiffany, to her fiance, Patrick. I’ve known Carla since we were teenagers. We used to sneak into clubs together when we were underage, among other escapades. We’ve shared clothes, shoes, cigarettes and secrets. We lived together, babysat each others kids, swapped clothes and covered for each other when necessary. Her daughter, Tiffany was one of the first babies I held, certainly the first child I spent any length of time with as a caregiver, even before my own.
I remember Tiffany as a happy little girl, rather a tomboy. She and her younger brother, Sean used to bicker quite a bit as most siblings do. Carla’s remedy was to put them in time out when they fought until they could think of something nice to say about the other. I’ll never forget watching her little face squinch up as she struggled to think of something nice to say when she was mad at him… you could almost see her mind whirring away as she cast about for something – anything! – that would get her out of time out. Finally she managed to come up with something, a quality that would assuage her mother, something sweet to say about her brother that would melt away their differences and teach them a lesson about familial love and getting along.
“Sean has clean teeth”, she says.
Well, technically, it fit the bill – it was thoughtful (he HAD after all, just brushed his teeth), true, and positive, so according to the rules set down by mom, she was free. But it was about the most non-committal, careful compliment made under duress I’ve ever heard!
The wedding was in Port Orchard, Washington – a small place east of Tacoma, nearby the water. I arrived several hours prior to the evening wedding, in order to prepare, get acquainted a bit with the couple and get some photographs taken prior to the ceremony. The wedding and reception were held at Patrick’s father’s home – a beautiful property with a large yard, a homey kitchen and wrap around porch. The young couple and their wedding party were getting ready just as I got there, so I was able to get some shots of their preparations.
Behind the scenes with the girls was a riot of laughter and activity. The men were much more subdued, thoughtful and nervous but allowed me into the area to get a few shots of their pre-wedding doings.
It was an incredibly busy day from the second I arrived. I took shots of the wedding party…
I was able to get the bride and groom alone for a little bit before the guests arrived, so we could get some photos of the two of them together before the ceremony. We drove to Patrick’s grandmother’s house on the beach … it seemed to be a little respite from the building excitement, anxiety and anticipation.
The two of them were so delightful to photograph, as they are obviously so much in love and it was easy to capture in their glances and body language, before, during and after the ceremony.
The most wonderful thing about this wedding was the obvious love and sense of family, the opportunity to witness and share and try to capture the hidden moments and looks that signify everything. The obvious closeness between mother and daughter…
The grown up sibling rivalry turned to pride over a big sister…
After all, behind the symbols, the rings, flowers and pomp…
Its really all about family and forever friendship.
It was really a treat to be a small part of this special day – thank you so much, Carla!
