Jessica, with a photo of her brother, Matthew
The morning of Jessica and Scott’s wedding day
May 5, 2007
Jessica and Scott were married last Saturday, in an emotional and action-packed wedding day. Mike and I took so many photos that I’m going to post them in two parts. First I’ll start with the wedding preparations.
This photo shows Jessica before the wedding, with a photo of her brother, Matthew. Matthew was killed while serving in Iraq. Jessica has a close, loving family, and Matthew’s presence was felt throughout the wedding day. After I took this picture, I hid in the kitchen so her family wouldn’t see me crying.
Despite the sadness, it was a wonderful wedding — very happy, fun, and silly. I love weddings where everyone just laughs and cuts loose, and Jessica and Scott were particularly a ton of fun. Mike and I got some great photos all day.
As you may recall from my last post, the wedding took place at
Mary’s Hope on Church Cove, in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
The ladies brought a Wii! Here Jessica and her mom are bowling.
The maid of honor gets her hair done while Jessica’s sister bowls.
Jessica got a text message from a friend
With her mom
Her tiara was a gift from Scott’s mother
Jessica shows her bridesmaids on a globe where she and Scott will be honeymooning
While I was wandering the premises, I found Jessica practicing their first dance all by herself.
Scott arrived, looking fabulous
Oh no! Downpour! The wedding coordinator hurried to move everything into the house and tent.
Scott and his groomsmen, waiting for the guests from the shelter of the front porch
Looking this good can wear a guy out.
Jessica’s grandmother’s arrival
Jessica put on her veil, and suddenly it all felt real.
Jessica’s dad got choked up when he saw her.
A prayer before it all began
Jessica was looking gorgeous! It was time to marry Scott.
Next: Photos of the ceremony and reception
The Brother’s photo
Oh wow Charlotte,
That image of the bride crying for her brother will forever be the most incredible moment captured in my mind. Unbelievable. I sure hope you entered that image into the WPJA contest. Holy cow, I would be so proud of that image. Way to go Charlotte.
Brad Walters
Brad Walters Photography
Again, gorgeous shots. 🙂
http://charlottegeary.smugmug.com/photos/152459139-O.jpg
I absolutely love this one.
Out of all of your beautiful brides, I have to say Jessica is my favorite. She is so expressive and has a storybook heroine quality like the little girl in a Tree Grows in Brooklyn or A Little Princess, she’s just so immediate! I hope she has a happy marriage and a happily ever after!
Dearest Charlotte and Mike,
You captured our pain and our rapture perfectly. The moments and personalities absolutely shine. Thank you for your hard work, your strange positioning, your willingness to dig into your own wells of joy and pain to show us our wedding day. Your skills make us look good!
-Jessica and Scott
I’m so glad to hear it, thanks! It’s good to have you here.
I know what you mean! It’s hard to get those photos without being in the way of one of the most important parts of the day. On the other hand, it’s our job to document the most important parts of the day. Quandry.
At most ceremonies, I stand in front of the first pew, on the bridesmaids’ side. I squat down and try to hide a bit by the pew, and I stand up only to take pictures. For each bridesmaid, I take 2-3 photos from the center of the aisle, and then back up and squat in front of the pew again. For the bride’s procession, I turn around, take a photo of the groom’s reaction to seeing her, and then stand in the aisle for 2-3 photos. Then I duck out of the way again.
I hope this helps!
Re: Superb
What a wonderful compliment, Jon. Thank you.
It’s good to meet you, Bryna! I’m glad that you think the photos really captured the true Jessica, thanks. 🙂
A little glam fun. 🙂
Weddings offer some of life’s most joyful moments and deepest emotions. I think even people who aren’t interested in decorations and dresses can still really identify with the emotions involved. It’s great to know that you did.
I just posted this in, but since it was about your shots, I thought I’d ask you specifically as well.
We just booked our first wedding and the one big worry that I have is: How do you take shots during the ceremony without seeming intrusive? I was just looking at‘s last wedding and she has some fabulous, close-up shots of the bride walking down the aisle. Is that something everyone will expect? Or should we just ask about the level of coverage that they want during the ceremony?
I just can’t imagine losing my brother. I’m tearing up myself right now.
Thanks. Sometimes I think I need to toughen up, but then I realize that it’s genuine emotion and empathy that makes a photo real.
I’m new to your journal, and just wanted to add how much I’m loving your work. Thanks for being willing to post it!
Aw thanks, Krysta. I don’t know if I’m incredible, but I certainly am fortunate. It’s an honor to be able to do this for people.
Thanks so much. I love how so many people seem to connect with the special moments of the wedding day through our photos. That’s my goal — to showcase moments, not the photos themselves.
I guess it’s a hit! Thanks, everyone!
It’s unanimous: that is a great photo.
Superb
Charlotte, this is one of the best series of wedding images I’ve seen. Not only have you got some great images, but all of their personalities really shine through. I kind of feel like I know them.
Scarily good work.
Made me cry again!
Jess has been on my flist for a few months now- and we have many lj peeps in common. I have been waiting anxiously for you to post pictures from her wedding… you’ve captured her perfectly. You have such a gift.
I love her pimpin’ in the window- she was teh hotness.
And you captured her sharing a moment with her brother wonderfully, as well.
That second to last photo surprised me out loud. Sort of a laugh (in a good way), and then a “Aha! that’s great!”
Ok, I don’t even know you, or Jessica or Scott. And I’m not the biggest fan of weddings, but those photos made me feel like I knew and cared about those people and, by the time Jessica’s father got choked up, I was too. You are amazingly gifted.
These are all amazing. I teared up when I saw the picture of her looking at her brother and the story that went with it.
That first image is very powerful; I can understand your reaction. I might have done the same.
me three! So beautiful!
Charlotte, I know I say it all the time, but you are AMAZING. Seriously, these made me cry and smile at the same time. You are one incredible person.
Wow. Charlotte, you two are amazing wedding photographers!
I just love these.
In particular, I love the shots you caught of her looking at her brother’s photo, her practising their 1st dance, the rain starting, & her dad choking up.
Gorgeous shots.
i agree, i love that one!
the second to last one is just fantastic. thanks for sharing these!