Dustin and Melinda.

Charleston, SC

Boone Hall Plantation.



Google tells me there are 65million results for the definition of love. This is not entirely surprising, I rely on Google for just about everything. But I do, however, think that is an alarming number of definitions for something that can be seen so clearly by the naked eye. If I had narrowed down the search to what "kind" of love I was referring too, perhaps my results would be a little more specific. But I am not one for lengthy definitions, or following the directions for that matter. I would imagine my definition for love would have to be visually based. And also biased...


To be biased and completely choose favorites, Dustin and Melinda have that envious all inclusive package.


The night held an irrefutable presence of love. And from the moment I set foot onto the Cotton Dock, I knew that this feeling was not just because it was a wedding. I became a part of a family that loved the two of them so unconditionally. This was the kind of love that manifests in a lifetime, rather than one singular event. All the dancing and the laughter was magnified simply by the underlying understanding that everyone loves who they are, together, as a family. It was beautiful. It left me speechless and in awe of their effortless ability to be themselves, to be present so completely that they had more fun than they could have ever imagined.


Under the banner of a Charleston sunset, nearly as silhouetted as the trees, they were married. Life has taken yet another wonderful turn. A family is created and there is not much else you could ask for out of a night like that...I certainly shed a tear or two of happiness for them. They are quite deserving of it.



Congrats Dustin and Melinda Ryan. Many many years of happiness for you both.

Linda and Jay. The Wedding.

Houston, Texas.
Houston International Airport.

I am oddly inspired to write in this busy airport, nearly 800 miles from where I photographed this wedding... but I never question spontaneous moments of creativity, just embrace them. Without further ado, Linda and Jay.



The crisp air on the morning of October 16th confirmed my beliefs that fall was indeed creeping in to the Low Country. Even if it only lasted a few fleeting hours, I took that as a sign the rest of the day was going to be spectacular. And it was...


Every wedding I shoot, I try not to lose myself in the job. I am constantly rechecking shutter speeds, fiddling with flash settings, I carry 2 cameras, 4 SD cards, and a handful of batteries. If I think only about the technical support I am carrying I will surely miss more of the day than I should. I have to put myself IN the wedding, not just behind the camera. Fortunately, with time and experience, this has become much easier. To be a photographer is a multi-faceted, jack of all trades kind of living. I should just speak for myself, but that is how I interpret what I do. In short, if I focus too hard on one aspect of the field, I will miss 10 others.


It helps tremendously when the bride also has creative eye. Linda, even during her engagement and bridal shoots was right there with me on what to shoot, how to pose. Very little instruction was needed. I may have to hire her. Jay was just as wonderful, nothing phased him at all. He just went along with the flow and kept a calming demeanor throughout the entire day. Whew!
I should mention Linda and I would have evening Skype dates to talk about which photos she wanted, what the flowers were going to look like, and how excited she was for the wedding day. I wish I could have Skype conversations with all my brides, they are so fun!

In March, for their engagement shoot, I wrote about the look of love. You could liken it to a snowflake or a fingerprint, no 2 are the same. Yet they can be put in the same category as things that are unique and meaningful. Not one wedding that I have photographed mirrors another, with the exception that all have had the end result of husband and wife ( thankfully no runaway brides so far...). All weddings are memorable, but this one in particular will always stick out in my mind.

I love details, LOVE them. They are the glue that makes everything about the entire day fit together. Without them it is just a dress, just a party, just another wedding. But add handmade runners for the tables, an alter built by the groom, a birdcage veil, parasols for the bridesmaids, thumb printed leaves to make your mark on their special day, and to top it off, make the sunset cast brilliant shadows across the Plantation. There was that hum of energy again, that profound feeling of joy for two people and the life together that is about to begin. I have heard it explained that being in love is like holding your arms out and spinning in circles; dizzying and intoxicating. And when you have tried your hardest and found something to ground you to this earth, and you open your eyes to see that other person, just as dizzy and looking to you for a firm place to land; you picked each other. And not even to force of the Santa Ana winds can keep you apart. That is the best kind of love. I have seen it, and Linda and Jay have it.


Big love and thanks to Linda and Jay Coady for all of their patience with me and the time they took to make sure that I was not just the photographer but a friend and guest at this wedding also. The world needs more people like the two of you. Congratulations!!!