What’s our style, point of view, inspiration for photography or cinema???? It’s easy, “We shoot what we love and we do it with emotion + Art.” I’m not interested in making images or films that depict otherwise. Don’t imaging having your life documented based on the things you want to remember, think in terms of the things you NEVER want to forget =) Watch the promo……… Now =)
Be{love}d Cinema a Division of Cindy Guessford Studios from Cindy Guessford on Vimeo.
ahhhh man, I love style, sass, emotion, fun…. The list goes on and on and on. Spending time with Patty and Mike on their wedding day was so easy peasy. It was effortless to document their day since they gave so much of themselves through their smiles, laughter and tears. What an emotional walk down the aisle! Mike, you got me! Maybe I’m super early pre-menopausal but I can’t seem to keep the tears back these days. Especially when you see such a strong and wonderful man shed a few tears because he is so happy to marry the woman who is walking towards him. Today was all about celebrating family, friends and love. Yup, let’s add to that Patty and her ability to look gorgeous in any light. She can pull off the sexy, the lovely, the sassy, the beautiful – no problemo. When we get the luxury of having days like this where every thing we ask of results in the answer yes, well you bet it’s easy. Thank you so much to Patty, Mike and all of your family for doing just that! Saying yes!
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What do you get when you rent a mansion on the beach and add an MTV DJ, a beautiful son helping his parents get ready, a groom clapping when he sees his bride walking down the aisle, a sexy shower gnite shot and a runaway Wedding Planner? Jenn & Ryan’s freakin rockin wedding that’s what! More about the MIA planner later.
Despite arriving to find that the Planner was a no show, we did like we do. We rolled up our sleeves and jumped in to help where we could for one very important reason, to create a space for Jenn, Ryan and their families to enjoy in the day and to not worry about the things that needed to be done. We did just that and I can hold my head high knowing that today we did more than just document and create. We facilitated, we organized and we rallied! As a result of our hard work we were able to be present and available to capture these beautiful moments for such a deserving, fun and loving couple. Ryan’s reaction to seeing Jenn walk down the aisle is one of my all time favorites. He was so excited for this moment that he started clapping with enthusiasm. So adorable! This brought tears to Jenn’s eyes. I of course smiled while clicking as the scene unfolded. Just one of many moments that are embedded into my memories of their day that bring a smile to my face when reflecting.
So on to our runaway planner. It makes me so mad that anyone would contract for a job and blatantly blow it off. For real? This is someones wedding day. There is no do-over. Unfortunately I’ve seen a surge of people who suddenly decide that they are a planner or a photographer or a fill in the blank because their mom told them they were so amazing at it. Listen people! Stop taking and potentially stealing moments from people who place their trust in you! Get some training, put in the work, practice your professionalism and maybe then think about assisting or interning with someone in the industry to gain experience. Don’t practice on actual clients… I had a chat today with my friend Christina Hill of cHill weddings
We were discussing what a planner’s role should be and why it’s so important to hire someone that is accredited, has a reputation of proven success as well as documented positive reviews online. Here are a few key reasons that Christina says hiring a real planner is important:
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dear, loved, costly, · magmaghal, mahal´in (mag-:-in) v. to hold dear, to love. Mahalin mo ang iyong mga magulang. Love your parents.
liebchen
dear, sweetheart, loved one “little love”
I can not think of two more appropriate words to have had etched not just into their wedding bands but also into the hearts and thoughts of everyone who was in attendance at Mabel & Helmut’s wedding. Dear- they are dear to each other and if you were there then you are dear to them. Loved- friend and family were one and the same, definitely loved. Costly- love and life can be very costly in so much more than the literal sense. When you risk love and to be loved it can cost you everything and that very same cost can be returned to you tenfold if paid out to those that give back freely and selflessly. Love your parents- you may or may not ever be a parent but you will always have a parent and the sheer magnitude of what a parent feels for their child can rarely be measured. It is a weight that anchors your very being, sometimes existence and when you the child are happy and fulfilled and safe it is a weight that dissipates into the air faster than the sea wind can carry the clouds. Little love- ahhh, the sweetest of all, not just because Helmut is this tall, handsome, strapping man and Mabel is this delicate beautiful woman but for the simplest of loves, the purest of loves, the kind of little loves that impact us so much more than grand gestures but… also because Helmut is tall and handsome and Mabel is delicate and beautiful ;-)
I have so very much to say about the experience I had at the wedding celebration held at the Coyaba Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This post will be long and it is not to discount any other posts long or short because the length of my ramblings are not necessarily equivalent to the depth of my experience, however… Having said that, the length of this particular post most certainly represents not just how I feel but how I felt and how spending time on an island with an amazing group of people has impacted my life. It seems that I have had a long string of epiphanies. Mostly induced from the relationships I have formed through the years with strangers who became clients who became friends. I am floored when I look through my records and I see 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th degrees of referrals from the wonderful and thoughtful people who I am honored to have spent some of the most poignant moments of their lives. A super special shout out to the lovely Rachel and Bill who linked me to Heather & Robin & Han who linked me to Nhat & Arthur who linked me to Mabel & Helmut who have already linked me to the amazing Jody & Marcus.!!!
So yes, There is no question as to the why when I ponder how these referrals come. It is an exchange…a rather simple one at that. For your trust and vulnerability, your laughter and your tears, your pureness in the moment and your ability to not care whether you can pull off the cool, sexy or artsy side of yourself – I will exchange with you my zen like calmness, ability to keep your trust and vulnerability safely cradled within my minds eye and heart, my laughter and my tears and the pureness of the moments that we share and the coolness of the moments that we make! This is the currency that we trade, it’s the currency that should rule the world! Of course there are fees for my services but those fees merely gain you entrance. They are but a small investment made in the scheme of the experience that we provide when working with my studio.
I know that not everyone wants to be that deep and that’s more than okay. For those that know me, have worked with me and love me you know that this is merely scratching the surface. The real goal is human connection and it is something that we all long for. How can you share happiness, triumph, joy, pride, excitement when alone, In a world where technology has made it so easy to be virtual we are pushed towards the longing of and we gravitate to virtually anything and everything that can make us feel more real.
In Jamaica, on the day before, the day of and the day after, I could not have felt more real or more relevant, appreciated and more than anything else… A part of a very intimate and emotional celebration of two people in love that was shared with a handful of people who traveled across the world to spend a few days relishing in each other and in this union.
It is interesting that they chose such a boutique styled resort. Coyaba Resort is nestled on 4 private acres of beachfront property with 50 rooms and 3 restaurants serving everything from great lunch bites to fine dining, it is an oasis!!! The word COY-AH-BA comes from an Arawak Indian word meaning “a kind of heaven where time is passed feasting and dancing.” Well… that pretty much sums it up! In the hours and days before the wedding and afterwords I had the pleasure of making friends, chatting with, hanging out, soaking in the sun under a thatched umbrella facing the ocean with the kind of friends that anyone would be lucky have in their lives. It is no surprise if you have ever had the pleasure of meeting either Mabel or Helmut. They are two completely lovable, sincere and truly beautiful people on the inside, where it counts and on the outside for those that it matters to. There were no pretenses, no need to search for perfection in the day, the perfection came in the enjoyment of each other and those around them. Their personalities made it very easy to provide for them a collection of images that they abso-freakin-lutely love because they said, do what you do. Everyone here matters to us and having you here we know that you will capture all that matters and more! No pressure, ha ha. It’s a photographers dream to hear these things because you know that no matter what is suggested the answer will be yes! For example, I know we all have flip flops on, let’s climb up a jagged cliff together. Okay ;) Having no boundaries and having all the trust that anyone could have plus a beautiful location and sprinkle in people who adore you equals the perfect storm!
I wish I could share the whole collection, but 20 or 30ish of my faves will have to suffice or I’ll be here all day blogging and my boss always nags when I blah blah blog for too long =) I will however leave you with the single most impressionable moment for me. The sun had set and the darkness had settled in blanketing us with a feeling of closeness as the impending storm was ushered away by the tropical winds. Laughter and clinking of glasses echoed off of the shore and carried back to us by the breeze blowing off of the water. My eyes had adjusted to the faintest of ambient light left and I caught a glimpse of Mabel’s dad standing in the cabana where the bar was located. He was heavy in thought as his body bent towards the papers that he had prepared earlier in the day. It was like a movie playing out as Helmut walked over to the corner of the bar to meet him. I could not hear what they were saying but I could tell by the closeness and the way that they embraced that the next few moments would be special. As Mabel’s father approached the long table where the guests were seated and as he began to speak I could hear the trembling in his voice. It didn’t tremble out of fear. It was the outpouring of emotion, the kinds of emotions like pride and thankfulness and love and hope that only comes from a well deep inside of us. It was too dark for him to read his notes so I handed Helmut a video light to help illuminate the papers… the words that were spoken from this man resonated with everyone that heard them. These words touched a part of me that I hold dear, being a parent myself. He thanks everyone for being there with him to celebrate with Helmut’s parents and his daughter & Helmut his new son in law but that Helmut was worthy of being more than a son in law- he was more like a real son. Likened to the son he never had. He thanked the lord for keeping Helmut safe and bringing him back safe and sound from his deployment in Iraq and most of all as he looked into his daughters eyes… He made a plea.. He said ” Please take good care of Mabel as she is the only one that I have left, she is my Joy in this world and she constitutes my whole family. Please respect one another and more importantly put your love above all things.”
Yep, I can’t freakin see now cuz I’m crying like a child who just had her doll or iPad stolen. I don’t know if it was because I have a daughter, an only daughter or because of the respect that Helmut has earned to have warranted the words and the trust that ensued. All I know is that once your child leaves your protective wings as a parent you don’t always breathe a sigh of relief. No matter how old they are you will always worry but you do feel relief when they are gone and you know they are safe and loved elsewhere. It is a source of gratitude that cannot be explained. I am affected. The warmth of the island was no match for the outpouring of warmth and love from all sides. Now don’t get me wrong, there was some crazy booty shakin’ going on and all I got to say is, stay away from the island punch!
So, to all of the beautiful people that I met on this trip, xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo I know that I will see you all again =) Until then may we all take a little extra time to love the ones that are here and to remember that moments like these can be fleeting so cherish them.
The ominous storm clouds hover over us as I listen to Mark and Diane tell me the story of how they met on the playground of their elementary school. Running and playing and who knows maybe even some hair pulling on the very same pavement that we were standing on that day. To think that I don’t even remember most if any of the kids I went to elementary school with & these two began their relationship then! Time has a funny way of slipping through your fingers so when I hear stories like this it makes my heart smile. We all change as we get older and experience different things. We all grow towards something whether it is to be more educated, cultured, stable, etc. So, when I have clients tell me they met in elementary school and I see the beautiful bond that they have forged as adults it is a true testament to love & to the different kinds of love that you can have and to how that love too can grow and change and develop. Marriage is work. Never believe otherwise. To do so would be a naive belief that almost always ends poorly. If you work hard enough at loving each other regardless of change, age, good & bad times then that’s what will happen, you stay together. You will span the test of time spending it growing towards each other for all the chapters of your lives. This is what I think of when I spend time with Diane and Mark. I’m blown away by how well they know each other, how I’m sure that they are probably not the same people they were in their pre-teens but the people who they have become have gravitated back towards each other. I think of how intuitively comfortable they are laughing at and with each other and most of all, how Diane just fits, she fits so perfectly in the crook of Mark’s arm as if that’s where she’s been for many years. Wait!!! She has been there for many years, duh! Makes total sense now!
Spending their wedding day hanging out with them only further strengthens everything I felt when we created the images for their engagement session! After a beautiful ceremony we headed to Citizen Bank Park for a little session then off to Cescaphe for the reception. Ahh, loving spending time with people in love surrounded by the people who love them…
There are people who the sun seems to shine down on even when skies are gray. There are those that no matter who you ask whether it be family or friends they will always be described as someone who is joyful and full of such positive energy that everyone loves being around them. Katharine is one of these people… Words alone cannot describe the way that people feel about her. Even the images of her mom and dad so happy to be a part of the day speak volumes. She is welcoming and sincere and so very easy to work with and It’s easy for anyone to see how Bob fits in the picture because he is the same. They love so easily and laugh so wholeheartedly when they are near each other, it makes working not like work for us and more like a day at the beach hanging out with two people in love and a group of family and friends that know how to laugh and get down! So yeah, we worked hard today but not in the normal context of working, more like we worked hard because there was just so much available for us to capture! Not every day is like this so I’m gonna soak it all in and relish in the fact that the sun is shining both from above and inside =)
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When I met Maria and Soo at our initial consultation I knew and was excited that their wedding day would be filled with many non-traditional details laced with traditional ceremonial moments. They are just two very cool people with a distinct vision of what they wanted in terms of images and vibe for their day. I love the flirty, funny, sarcastic, loving and energetic banter that they have between each other. Soo cracks me up… At first I wasn’t quite sure how to read his personality because he has that subtle way of joking that can maybe be mistaken for seriousness when in reality it is very much witty and tongue in cheek. He reminds me of my brother John. John was the baby of the family and when we were kids I used to torment him something wicked – you know, every big sister’s duty to make her little brother a man ready for the world. He often threatened to tell on me and once even wrote a letter to our parents. The letter was freaking hilarious because John didn’t know how to write yet so it was scribbly babble. Maybe it was my tormenting and prepping him for the nasty world that did it but all I know is that my brother is funny and reserved and extremely witty all at the same time. He is as stoic in his resolve as he is loving and I see so much of the same in Soo. Maria is Soo’s perfect balance. You can just tell that they just “get”each other and the love they share touches me.
One of the most unique and amazing parts of the day was when they got ready. A beautiful suite at the Hyatt Regency overlooking the city of Philadelphia set the stage for a family coming together and preparing for the day. They helped each other to dress and it was such an intimate way for a soon to be husband and wife to start their new lives together. I just love so many of the images from that part of the day but they had so much more in store for us. Maria’s brother and sister traveled all the way from Malaysia to be in the bridal party. Soo’s sister added to the collection of siblings and was the final member of the party. In addition to all of your normal wedding day festivities they also had a Korean Ceremony, danced a choreographed Argentinian Tango and kept the crowd happy with some Korean Ballroom Dancing!!! Soo’s sister gave a very touching toast as she welcomed Maria to the family and Maria gave a toast as well and spoke Korean to Soo’s family. I’m always amazed when someone goes to such great lengths to show respect and thanks. These are the things that make this world a better place….
Oh! I almost forgot. So Jen and I show up to start shooting details before the getting ready formalities and I peep out a collection of Chimay red, Blue and white packaged with a chalice. I say to Jen, yup, they like good beer – a sign of a great day. Maria walks around the corner and says, “that’s for you, I knew you liked it so I picked it up for you.” Yeah, Maria rocks and thank you so very much for this gesture. I do love Belgium beers but more than my love for what those trappist monks brew is my love for the kind of clients that I am fortunate enough to call mine! So here’s to you Maria and Soo! May you have many many years of happiness BUT not as many children as the Korean ceremony predicted (147 LOL)!!!
A few shout outs, thank you to Andre Richard Salon for the wonderful hair and Make up for our lovely ladies and a special thank you to Emily and staff from the Hyatt Regency Penn’s Landing. You all did an amazing job handling all of the many details!!!
Wireless flash receiver, check. Transmitters, check. Camera gear, check. Allergy Medication…..Oooooooops, not check. Ruh Roh!!! Destination weddings can be adventures and I’m in store for one as I travel to Naples, Florida for part one of Emily and Vic’s celebration. Sinuses are killing me, my head is throbbing and of course the unmistakable scent of Stargazer Lily’s are permeating the air in every corridor that I walk adding layers of head-achy yuckiness. After breakfast I stay in bed for as long as I can possibly get away with before I need to join the getting ready festivities. There are some things that we never need to divulge to clients on their wedding day. One is whether or not you are feeling well. For me, it’s a non issue because regardless of how I’m feeling there are moments to capture and images to make!
So, I pop an excessive amount of Tylenol and splash some cold water into my eyes regrouping and willing this feeling to go away. I can’t say that it worked but I can say that the mood of the day was infectious despite the rain and gray skies. Emily and Vic were surrounded by friends and family and this was indeed going to be full of surprises and mass amounts of celebration. As timing would have it things ran a little late and we had to push portraits to happen after the ceremony. This would later be revealed to be a godsend as the clouds and rain didn’t clear until after they said their I do’s. Emily’s dad surprised everyone by replacing the officiant for the ceremony. Hearing his voice tremble and choke up as he spoke the words that would marry his daughter really resonated with everyone. It was touching and inspiring… I love the cohesiveness of their family and friends. There were no lines between them. They were one and the same. This would remain true for the celebration part two to be held back in Baltimore at the Grand Masonic Lodge.
An emotional ceremony, a breathtaking burst of light for the portraits and a night culminating underneath starry skies. What more could you ask for???? I am thrilled with these images and I am blessed to have met this amazing family (thanks to Jen and Michael who were so kind to refer me whose wedding I photographed last year). You all made me feel so welcome and every interaction was a love fest =) Thank you also to the exceptional staff at the Ritz Carlton beach club in Naples! You were so kind to hold umbrellas over me and my equipment as I shot the ceremony. Up, down, walking all around!!! Kudo’s to you! No water damage- woohoo. Please enjoy the few images posted and then the slide show since I just couldn’t narrow my faves down to a handful!!!
I love that Emily had both Bridesmaids and BridesMen = ) Your best friends are your best friends, regardless of gender!
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You could smell the freshness of the earth today so easily as the breeze wafts by carrying the scent of rainfall and a coolness in the air settles into the afternoon. Jen and I stroll towards the hotel to start our day. “I hope this rain stops or slows just for a few minutes today,” I say to Jen, hoping and praying that we have a moment or two afforded to us. Regardless of weather the determination had already set in to be keenly aware of my surroundings and opportunities today. Much like all wedding days we prepare to be mentally and emotionally available however, today would truly be one filled with many poignant moments that will forever be embedded into the synapses of my mind. On our way to the elevator we ran into Christina Hill from Chill Weddings. Christina was our go to person and coordinating the festivities of the day. It’s definitely a joy working with planners who keep things smooth and really get things right. I’m amazed that the events of today were pulled together so seemingly effortlessly considering that the wedding was pushed ahead by 3 months due to the recent discovery of an illness with Jackie’s dad. Trust me though when I say that a celebration was planned and shared and never more has the celebration of life’s events resonated so strongly.
I see her looking intently at the note she is writing. Her pen lifts, pauses then settles down onto paper. I can tell that she is reflecting and bringing thoughts to written form. What I didn’t know was that Jackie was writing the words to the speech that she would give about Nathan. She spoke later about the relationship that had developed and how he was her rock, especially when they were in Thailand and received word about her father. She relayed stories of Nathans oneness with nature and how he had this uncanny way with the weather and could sense the changes in precipitation, wind and the like. When I heard this speech later that night shivers run down my spine as I reflect on how hours earlier it was raining yet the rain subsided just long enough to bring them outside for their first glance and immediately after the images had been captured the sky opened up and down poured once again…Their love… To be near the two of them is to be so easily aware of this bond.
Shortly before the Ketubah signing was scheduled to begin, Jackie’s brother arrived with Jackie’s Dad. They had just picked him up from the hospital so when he was wheeled into the room you could see the sheer happiness that exuded from Jackie from the sight of him. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Dr. Cohen prior to today but from what I witnessed he must have been a man with strong convictions, a love for people and had an obvious adoration for his daughter. The love and sheer happiness from both sides of the families filled every aspect of the day with tumultuous swings of emotion. The closeness could be felt from beginning to end. The laughter could be heard frequently ( Nathan’s brothers are quite the comedians!)
Each wedding that I shoot there is usually one moment that I witness that embeds itself into my being. Sometimes these are moments I capture, sometimes these are moments that I see and keep for myself. The few moments that I’m sharing with you today are obviously those captured that I feel showcase the day but the moment I keep is the one that has impacted me the most.
There weren’t supposed to be any parent dances today. They were unsure of how much strength Dr Cohen would possess and to have the family there rejoicing together was enough. With dinner under way and most of the formalities done Christina motions to Jen and I that we should go grab something to eat now. I’m walking towards the exit of the ballroom and out of the corner of my eye without warning or prompting I see Dr. Cohen removing the breathing tubes from his nose and extruding himself from the hoses. Within an instant he pushes himself up and out of the chair, motions for his daughter…. My eyes well up with tears, I just can’t help it. Mind you that as I glance around the room there was not a dry eye in the house. You could also see many looks of amazement as well pride. It dawns on me that this is the decisive moment of the night and under no uncertain terms is he missing the opportunity to dance HIS dance with his daughter… I applaud the sheer will and strength and love that allowed this to happen….. I don’t think I will ever be able to forget that split second when ever I think of a father’s love for their daughter…
Nathan’s brothers were very happy to help him get ready!
I love this look right before the ceremony, a father’s approval and then the one below of a mothers joy and love!
In Loving Memory of Dr. Martin Cohen
Flowers: Papertini
Venue: The Downtown Club
Event Planner: Chill Weddings
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