I had met Karen several years ago in my college days. She was the resident director of Shatford House, the dorm we stayed in our freshman year. Although she wasn't my RD, she was great friends with several of my friends, and so it was no surprise to see her as a bridesmaid in one of my very first "real" weddings. My dear friend Lynn allowed me to be her wedding photographer and I still remember the defining moment in my career at this very wedding. Now, I have shared this story with Karen, but this is probably the first time Lynn has heard this story! Somewhere in between shots of the groom and groomsmen, and the family shots, we took time to photograph our lovely bride and her girls. This wasn't my first wedding, so I totally thought I knew what I was doing! I was working my so called magic, getting the shots I really thought were going to be the best shots in the world! It was somewhere about then that Karen said to me something along the lines of getting shots that were more unique, more story telling, more artsy and fun! Didn't she know I was totally already getting this type of shot?! Well, truly I wasn't, and we all took the time to perfect this shot of the girls walking down the street. No one else may even remember this process going down, but I tell you what, when I finally got THE picture, it was literally like the film gods parted the sky and my flash bulb went off! THE picture was phenomenal, nothing like the photos I had ever taken, and I was in love, and it was all thanks to Karen! Now, I still look back through those first few weddings photos, and Lynn's specifically I just truly love so many of them. Sure, I see my faults, yes, I see the underexposed ones and the poorly executed shots. But THE shot. Oh it was dreamy! And it turned my entire career around, making me into who I am today! All thank to Lynn and her beautiful wedding, and Karen, the lovely bridesmaid!
So Karen, when I heard from you, I was super excited to be able to connect with you again after all these years and tell you that little story! And now you have a great husband and little Nicholas who is about one of the best little guys I've ever met! You all are just gorgeous so of course I was thrilled to get you these photos! And the snow oh my soul, just made this shoot sublime! Just so you know Karen, the ONE, THE ONE shot of the three of you, up at the top of the bog right now, is likely one of my all time favorites! One day, when I am blessed enough to have a gallery, THIS shot will hang on a gallery wrapped canvas print, and probably just about as big as I can afford, with a big ol spotlight shining right on it! Just love it, and I just love you for shining your light on me, even thought you probably didn't even know you were! I absolutely can't wait to see you all again next time! Thanks again for coming out for the shoot with me!
www.bodellphotographyonline.com
