Zach and Teresa
I flew back to Buffalo for these ones! Why? Total transparency, while driving home from photographing their gorgeous wedding, I was reflecting on the day. Suddenly, it hit me. Despite my repeated mentions and thoughts of getting photos of this stunning woman in her dress all alone throughout that day, we never got one. How could this moment not happen with all the wedding party there, parents, one videographer, and two photographers? I had been photographing weddings for twenty years and never missed this shot.
It had been the busiest wedding with the largest wedding party I had encountered, but still, I was stunned, mortified, angry, and completely blamed myself. Despite this, there was hope. Out of all the photos that could be missed, this was one of the few that could be re-taken. In fact, this could be really good because now, all of the time, people, and event pressure was completely removed.
I gave them a couple days to get situated on their honeymoon before reaching out to them. I didn't want to wait for them to realize it. They needed to know that I realized it, I cared, and I was going to resolve this on my dime. I still don't even know if it had crossed their mind until I contacted them.
In a month, before the leaves or weather could change, I was back in Buffalo to take these. They had already received all of their wedding photos at this point. Since Teresa was already getting herself dolled back up, why not have Zach do the same and we could get photos of the two of them, too? They weren't in love with them like they were with their engagement photos, and I totally understood! We had to contend with time, the videographer, their large wedding party, and bright sunshine.
This time there was no major time pressure. No added audience. No extra people choosing our locations. Just the three of us.
On the wedding day, they originally wanted to take the formal photos at a park that they loved, but we had decided in advance that there wasn't enough time due to its location in relation to their reception venue. Now, we could go to there! I was so happy for them that this was now able to happen.
Despite how I initially felt, the Lord really worked this out beautifully. He did more through this circumstance than I could have imagined. I was greatly humbled. In my short visit, with no kids, other distractions, or commitments, he gave me a huge opportunity to connect deeply with a person dear to me, share much of my story, and love for Jesus with them. We were able to just sit, talk, have ice cream, and get to know each other better.
I am extremely grateful for the grace Zach and Teresa extended to me throughout this process. These photos turned out stunning- just like them- inside and out. Jesus radiates through their every being. I saw it clearly before this happened, but now experienced it in a completely new way- A way that greatly encouraged me and deepened my faith.
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