I was listening to NPR the other day and they had a neuroscientist talking about how our choices are largely determined by these little squirts of dopamine and a bunch of other stuff I would like to pretend I understood.

One thing I’m pretty sure I could get my head around was that there are all kinds of things in life that give us these little squirts of dopamine, in other words, little bio-chemical shots of happiness.

Right now I’m building a sample album to present to couples during our consults. I’m using a wedding from last fall that was one of my all time favorite weddings to photograph. I’m culling images, doing little edits, sorting and thinking about how I want the images laid out and I realized I was getting these little shots of joy.

I thought I would post a few.

Photography, for me at least, is about looking for the right light, anticipating a moment unfolding and then capturing it when it does. This one unfolded while Steph was getting ready. Mitch and Steph had decided to have a private moment before the ceremony to see one another. Here she is just about ready to walk out and see Mitch. The light from the window was soft and bright and she was holding her flowers just so. I waited until something in my gut said “hit the shutter dummy!”

This is the result.

Mitch has his back turned waiting for Steph to come up to the alter where he’ll see her in her dress for the first time.
This is seriously one of my favorite moments during a wedding. Steph approaches with her grooms gift and flowers in hand. Shaking just a bit.

Image on left is Mitch just before he turns, image right is Mitch right as he sees Steph. Need I say more?

A deep breath… an embrace.