Brady and I "officially" call our anniversary of being a couple July 4, 2006. Since this blessed day... ;) ... I have been diligently keeping track of our relationship via photographs. Some may be taken by stretching my rather short arms out in order to capture both our smiling (OK, his is not so smiling) faces; some are taken in the company of our dear friends and family. They are clear documentation of one of many of our special moments together; which is evident, because we usually only have a camera around when the moments are exceptionally special or eventful. Throughout these three and a half (almost four!!!) years, I have taken the liberty of putting together 12-month calendars for Brady, each month containing a picture of us, with a brief description on the back reminding us both where and when it was taken. The extensive array of pictures contained in these so far three calendars are mementos we can look back on when we're old and grey. They are something we can show to our children, our grandchildren, or even ourselves, to remind ourselves of where our relationship began, who it began with, and where it is headed. It is a tradition I personally plan on carrying out each Christmas for the rest of our lives.
Which leads me to my wedding discussion....photographs.
When sifting through Web sites and brochures of photographers in the Dallas area, I got many pieces of advice from many different people, all with the same general gist: "Don't worry about it" ... "The money can be used elsewhere" ... "The photos will be stashed away into an album and never looked at again" ... "Photos of your wedding day just collect dust."
Now I believe I have been fairly consistent in my previous posts that taking advice from others is one of the best gifts you'll ever find, and it comes without a pricetag. My pearls of wisdom may be suggested by some to be immature or unsound. After all, I am only 21 years old, and haven't been in this "wedding biz" for longer than seven and a half months. However, out of all the obstacles I have had to face while planning our wedding day, this is the one obstacle I vehemently disagreed with everyone's advice on. What I am truly trying to say is...
GET A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER!!!
Whether it be the day and age we're in and the advanced technology now available to us, or simply the fact that this generation has some weird, unwarranted obsession with photos...it's reasonable to say that this generation values photography. My photographer came to me unexpectedly. I took many suggestions from helpful and loving friends and family, all on photographers that were inexpensive; but to be quite honest, very generic. While spending countless hours and being typically unsatisfied with the results I found, I came across my dear friend Lauren's photo album on Facebook. I swear this isn't some lengthy advertisement for Blue Sunshine Photography, but may I say....check it out. The pictures are breathtaking. Without even knowing Lauren and Nathan, you can see what makes their relationship so breathtaking simply by the photos. The essence of the relationship and their love for eachother and everyone surrounding them on their special day is more than a picture...it's a memory, and an invaluable keepsake of where their official life together began. That is what I want in my photographer...and luckily, that is what I will so fortunately be getting.
Now the real question is....was that my lengthiest post yet?
Next Up: Honeymoon Spots...Should you risk drinking the water in Mexico??
