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I Believed Her

"So, I have a question for you..." he said as he leaned in.
"Okay...?"
He scooted his chair close to mine and said, "You know where I'm going with this, right?"
"Um, not really..."
"You're a wedding photographer.  When you shoot a wedding, does it make you...well, you know...I mean, do you feel..."
"Does it make me wish I was married?"
"Yeah."

I heard myself give him the same answer I've run through my head so many times...
"Honestly, watching people get married is completely removed from my own life...in the sense that I'm just an observer of a really profound moment in theirs.  I'm not placing myself in their shoes or imagining myself in their place.  That's partly my personality and partly that I'm fortunate enough to have a very fulfilled life.  I love being such a close part to their day, and watching them celebrate.
However, I'll be honest that I often feel more like an investigator than a wedding photographer.
There is something about watching two people commit the rest of their life to that person that still hits a very deep place with me, and I feel like I'm on a constant search for what it is that makes them do it...or have that much trust and love for someone."  I watch my couples very closely on their wedding days...how they interact.  Shared looks, moments that show the silent definition to their relationships.  You learn a lot about couples...and my conclusion so far is that...

I believe them.  I know that sounds strange and cheesy, but it's true.  I believe their love.  That they're going to make it.  I believe that they've weighed the good and the bad, and they have more faith in the good, and it's not a crazy chance they're taking...but a thoughtful step despite the statistics the world throws at them.

Being a wedding photographer has made me more confident in commitment...and possibly less scared of it for myself...possibly. :) I look for those hidden moments of truth, and like a sleuthy (I just made that word up, according to spellcheck!) investigator, I find them at every wedding I shoot.

I had the honor of shooting my friend, Jaimie's wedding yesterday.  There was a split second moment, that I was able to capture, that she looked at me, and I believed her.  I believed she was so incredibly happy in that moment...and content in her love for Phil.  It touched me...and like I'm learning through all the beautiful couples I get to photograph...it gave me confidence in love.

So here's to the start of 2013 weddings!! And a big congratulations to Phil + Jaimie.  Love you.

9 comments:

Blake said...

Love it! More pictures please!!! :D

Ann said...

I love this... sniff...

Jenna Leigh said...

I got a little teary eyed reading this. I am so ridiculously proud of you and so blessed to call you my friend - this was AMAZING.

christine said...

Beautiful post, Tami! And pictures, too.

alisonsutter said...

So sweet. I love how invested you are in your work. Looks like a gorgeous wedding!

alisonsutter said...

Um, that comment was based on the FB pics too :)

Kara P. said...

Aww, I love posts that are so full of YOU! And my, oh my....what a weird way for a guy to ask!

smw said...

sweet. :)

emilykate said...

I love your optimism! :) And can't wait to see more of the wedding!

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