Jonathan & Briana | Kingston, WA
I have loved photography since I was 13 years old. My grandfather gave me his old point-and-shoot Canon 4-megapixel camera, and I slowly and obsessively learned all I could about camera settings, composition, lighting, etc. I pored over old photo books and started researching other photographers. I have never been a huge reader, but I think all of us are endowed with a need for story. And so I found my fix in the stories found in photographs—without any words, just one photo could tell a whole story. I am always striving to bring that type of storytelling to my wedding and family photos that I produce. I don’t want to direct you into a magazine ad. I want to observe and report on what happened.
This brings us to wedding photography and the huge gift I get to experience by being given a backstage pass into so many different people’s lives. No wedding has been the same, because no two people are the same. If you want to get good at documentary-style photography, you have to get good at observing. You start to see patterns or get a feeling that a moment might be happening soon, so you need to get into position, compose, and then wait. The moment might happen, but you stay with it because many other micro-moments might follow, and there could be a stronger, more compelling image after.
This was a second wedding for Jonathan and first for Briana. They intentionally designed their celebration from the beginning as a family-formation event, bringing Jonathan’s two kids into the day in such special ways. All the kids made it a very livley and exciting celebration.
When I first met them, they made it clear that they value candid moments and honest storytelling over staged perfection. They invited their guests to camp out at her mother's house, where they got ready and ended the night with s'mores. Her mother's next-door neighbor graciously let them hold the wedding on her property and celebrate in her newly built barn. There was fishing, pie, games, dancing, and late-night conversations that carried on deep into the night. Oh and probably the best BBQ and pie I have had at a wedding todate!
This is part of their story in photos—enjoy!
P.S. I got to bring Samson (my oldest) along for the short road trip from Oregon. We checked out Seattle in a whirlwind eating and sightseeing adventure on Friday, then got to camp with some of their friends that night and partake in the festivities on Saturday with everyone. It being a destination wedding made us even more integrated into the group for behind-the-scenes. Samson second-shot and it was a delight eating great food and meeting new people with him all weekend.
Our campsite for the weekend in the Mint Mama.
Someone brought their drone and was probably the funnest thing the kids got to play with.
