Creating Exellence

String trio

I was very impressed with all aspects of Joe and Abigail's wedding, but the photography just blew me away. Most people enjoy looking at the wedding pictures, but few know what goes into creating these lasting images.

My husband has been photographing weddings professionally for almost twenty years now and I have photographed several weddings also. But, my speciality is children's portraiture photography.

I became a photographer for Lifetouch Preschool Portraits when my son entered first grade. This job allowed me to work during his school schedule, no holidays, nights and no summers. A great mom job! I had never been a photographer, other than with my own small pocket camera taking pictures of my son at home. But I quickly came to love the work and the creativity it allowed for me.

Most people know school portraits in regards to elementary school ages and up, but preschool portraits are very different. Babies and toddlers don't fold their hands and say cheese. While a four year old may be able to pose on command, few toddlers will be so compliant. So as photographers, we were given much more creative freedom. After working as a photographer for just five years I was named National Photographer of the Year. This is a huge honor. Many photographers working for the company for 20 years have never been awarded this.

Since our foray into photographing weddings we have learned how very difficult it can be. Most couples want magazine quality portraits, however, when the wedding budget gets cut, it usually comes out of the photography budget. The expectation of quality and quantity remains the same—just the price is lowered.

Tabitha Draluck helps arrange the flowers

We worked together on photographing one wedding for a dear friend, so the work was done for free and we were charging them only the price of film and printing. This was in the days before quality digital photography. This wedding became a real headache for us.

First, there was Grandma with her little disposable camera that kept stepping in front of us as we attempted to photograph the formal portraits. Then she started arranging the groups we were photographing, telling people to get out of the shot so she could just keep the ones she wanted in the picture. We told her several times that she was welcome to take photos after we took our pictures but that she should wait for us to arrange the groupings. However, Granny continued to interfere and we eventually had to speak to another family member who had to be very blunt with her.

When the couple returned from their honeymoon, we invited them over to look at their photos and choose what they wanted so we could place the order. Upon picking up the portraits (remembering that we are only charging our cost), the bride's father, who had paid nothing for the wedding but made the groom's family pay for everything, complained that we were charging them too much for how little they were getting.

End of "The First Dance"

When we have not been the official photographers of a wedding, many couples who were displeased with the quality of their professional (paid) portraits later told us that they wished they had hired us.

This is the first wedding we have attended that by far and away we could never have competed with the photography. The images are magazine quality and I felt privileged to see these men in action. The father and son team of David and Luke Edmonson was beyond compare. These men mingled well with the wedding guests, allowing them to take relaxed, natural images of the wedding party and the guests. They always maintained their professionalism and were very nice about allowing others to get good images also.

If you want to see these incredible images you can check it out on their web site at Edmonsonweddings.com, click Weddings, click Portfolio, then the last option Featured Wedding. The images will probably only be up for a week, so don't waste time—check it out now! You will be amazed by the creativity and workmanship of these men.

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McKinley

As Abigail reached the altar where her groom awaited her, her father in a clear, steady voice gave her to Joe on behalf of himself and his wife. Joe's father officiated during the exchanging of the vows and rings. As Abigail took her wedding vows she didn't promise to love, honor and obey—yes she dropped the word obey.

The Kiss!

Instead she replaced it with the more biblical "submit." This is the first wedding we have ever attended that this was done, and Rich and I loved the change. Joe was reminded of the seriousness of his vows. He is to love Abigail like Christ loves his bride, the Church. Christ laid down his life for the church and Joe must be willing to do this for his bride. Joe's father also reminded them that their vows were not based on if they felt the other was fulfilling their vows.

The ring that Abigail placed on Joe's finger was a very special one. The ring had been placed on Joe's grandfather's hand 54 years ago. The ring remained on his hand for the fifty-year marriage of his grandparents, until after the death of his grandmother. Abigail's brother-in-law then said a prayer of dedication over the couple.

"In Christ Alone"

At the end of the vows, with cameras poised awaiting for the kiss, another God honoring turn occured. Instead of the kiss we all joined the wedding party for the singing of "In Christ Alone." At this point with camera at the ready, David leaned over and said "oh no I missed the kiss", he had been waiting throughout the ceremony in order to capture this image. I explained that they had not kissed yet, but should do so soon.

Beaming husband & wife

Then Dr. McKinley presented Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McKinley, followed by the moment David had been waiting for—The Kiss! Cameras flashed and all three of us got that moment of their first kiss as newlyweds. The glow on their faces spoke it all. They just beamed. After walking back down the aisle Joe dipped Abigail and gave her another kiss.

Following the ceremony, guests mingled outside the church for a while before heading to the reception.

To God Be The Glory

Gorgeous decorations

Saturday we attended a very unusual wedding. What makes the wedding of our friends Joe and Abigail so different was that the focus was not on them, but so clearly on God.

Upon arriving early at the church we were amazed at how beautifully decorated the church was and how even the smallest details were thought of. My husband and I believe that often the world now surpasses the people of God when it comes to the arts and beauty. We as Christians should aim towards beauty, after all didn't God do this with all of creation? And who could forget the beauty that God demanded for his tabernacle.

But back to the wedding, the center asile was ribboned off and rose petals had been scattered down the path leading up to the alter. There were also jars with candles leading down the aisle. The alter held two beautiful floral arrangments. We were given programs that held information on each bridal party member, order of service and a song that would be sung during the ceremony.

The program

So far pretty much expected, but very well-done, decorations. As the last of the guests were being seated accompanied by a string trio, the expected order of the wedding ended. First, instead of the music that would bring the attendents and bride down the aisle, the music stopped. Instead of the bride or groom, Pastor Mike (our pastor) came out on behalf of the couple. Joe and Abigail had requested that their wedding begin with a short message about what they hold most dear. Mike started with the design that God gave us for marriage out of Genesis. Next we were told of the demands God placed on couples who marry, women are to submit to their husbands and husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves His church. Christ gave his life and died on the cross for the church, his bride. He then concluded that God's desire, along with Joe's and Abigail's is that we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Mike then explained that nothing about this day would make them happier than if someone accepted Christ on their wedding day.

The ringbearer's ride

Then the music began, bringing Joe and his groomsmen in. After they had all taken their places, the bridesmaids came down the aisle. The flowergirl had to literally pull the ring bearer to the altar. No he wasn't kicking and screaming, he was Abigail's nephew that was too young to walk so he was in a wagon that had been decorated with tulle and flowers. This sweet little guy sat so well without moving or grabbing at things on his trip down the aisle.

Abigail escorted by her father

Then the bride, the glowing Abigail, escorted by her father came down the aisle. All eyes were on her and hers were only for her handsome groom awaiting her at the altar.

I will be posting details and pictures all this week about the wedding, so make sure you check back.