While on family vacation in Oregon, we visited a beautiful beach early in the morning. In the distance, I saw a man in a suit surrounded by a few people that seemed to be close personal friends and maybe even family. Naturally, I walked up to this suited stranger and asked what was going on. With a sheepish smile he told me he was about to get married.
I didn't stop to think. Immediately, the next words out of my mouth exclaimed, "I am a wedding photographer and would be happy to help if you guys need one!" I think it took a minute for him to process. He told me he had hired 3 photographers who all bailed last minute. Immediately, I knew I had done the right thing. I refused payment and dedicated the next 3 hours to making sure they had every picture they wanted.
Before the wedding, I took some time to get to know the groom as he waited for his bride. He asked me where I lived and when the words, "Provo, Utah," were spoken, he gave a knowing smile, as if it just then made sense to him why I was there. He asked if I happened to be LDS to which I responded yes. I found out that he was actually raised a member of the LDS church but had since left. After this conversation, I had a strong feeling that this situation wasn't as coincidental as it seemed.
When I got home and word got around of what had happened, my inboxes began to fill. Messages from all over the country came pouring in. Most of which were from the family members that were unable to attend the wedding. They expressed not only gratitude for taking pictures and allowing them to feel part of the day from miles away, but for showing this young couple how much the Lord is aware of them. My favorite was, "You gave them so much more than just pictures."
To me, this story captures exactly how I feel about Photography. It's more than just pictures. It's more than money. It's about moments, memories, beauty, and most importantly, love. I believe photography can be an answer to prayers and now I have proof.
KSL and a local talk show have featured this story.
Read the KSL story here
Before the wedding, I took some time to get to know the groom as he waited for his bride. He asked me where I lived and when the words, "Provo, Utah," were spoken, he gave a knowing smile, as if it just then made sense to him why I was there. He asked if I happened to be LDS to which I responded yes. I found out that he was actually raised a member of the LDS church but had since left. After this conversation, I had a strong feeling that this situation wasn't as coincidental as it seemed.
When I got home and word got around of what had happened, my inboxes began to fill. Messages from all over the country came pouring in. Most of which were from the family members that were unable to attend the wedding. They expressed not only gratitude for taking pictures and allowing them to feel part of the day from miles away, but for showing this young couple how much the Lord is aware of them. My favorite was, "You gave them so much more than just pictures."
To me, this story captures exactly how I feel about Photography. It's more than just pictures. It's more than money. It's about moments, memories, beauty, and most importantly, love. I believe photography can be an answer to prayers and now I have proof.
KSL and a local talk show have featured this story.
Read the KSL story here
