” Art teaches us what it is to be human”

To which I say amen. That is why I photograph. That is why I pursue images with people. I’ve never enjoyed shooting landscapes or abstracts. But if you put a person in the frame in front of my eye my heart thumps in my chest.

I work hardest not at the technically “good” image, but rather at getting to know the people I photograph. I love the consults I have with brides and grooms. I get to know them and their story.

I studied (among other things) Anthropology in college but fell short of ever exploring another culture. So maybe I’m a frustrated anthropologist, my camera being my way of studying people.

Henri Cartier Bresson said the hardest thing was to get his camera between the shirt and the skin of the person he was photographing.

Maybe so.

I also think it is the point. To get not only between their shirt and skin, but under the skin and into their world and then reveal the captivating uniqueness of the person I’m photographing.

That’s why I shoot weddings and portraits. Because of this need to know and understand. When I’ve captured it in an image I think somewhere in my head I feel I’m contributing to the world body of knowledge of humanity.

Doing my part to learn and share what it is to be human.

(thanks to Kirk for the quote)

To be honest I think it has got out a bit. I’ve been getting some visits from OZ on the blog. Which is great cause I will travel anywhere for a wedding (hint, hint).

At any rate I don’t think any thing says “Ta Da we sneaked off and got hitched in San Fran” like this image.

Enjoy. More to come.

These two Brits were my first wedding of the year and if they are any indication of what this year holds I’m gonna have a killer year in images.

I only wish I had more time with these two. So entirely off beat in their approach to life. Such a different take on weddings. I have to admit I was a little unsure about an elopement. That little part of my brain that always worries about getting great images for the portfolio was worried that without a “traditional” wedding the shoot wouldn’t do much for my emerging business.

Boy was that a stupid thing to worry about. Yeah, yeah there wasn’t a ceremony or lots of little details to photograph that are so popular. But these two more than made up for it in flair and humor.

I love Jen’s dress. The “I DO” was their idea (thank you to what ever photographer they Bogarted that idea from). I take full credit for the “DO I.” The expressions were all Alex and Jen.

Technical: two sb 600′s on stands camera left and right at 45 degree angles, one sb 800 on a stand pointed at the group, one sb 800 on camera as the master flash. all fired at about 1/4 power, ambient dropped 2 stops.