THE VINOY HOTEL, ST PETERSBURG FL - ELEGANT AND PLAYFUL WEDDING
OTHER GALLERIES
It's difficult for me to feature the best of my wedding photos. There are too many images I would have to go through. There are already over 400 images in this 3 minutes and 44 seconds slideshow.
This is not say that all of my work is “the best” but by my own definition what makes my photography good, special, “best” are the moments I am able to capture and witness at all the weddings I am invited to throughout the year.
So, the real “best” are the weddings themselves and more than anything, the people who are at the wedding. I like the word "composed" because more or less weddings are a composition. They are like a musical piece that has its ups and down in melody, the chorus, and often the grand finale.
I choose this song by the artist Aurora because it moves every part of my being when I hear it. She is a bit of a self proclaimed weirdo and warrior and dedicated this song called “warrior” to fans who identify with her.
I have been wanting to do a “best of” for a long time and therefore this one goes beyond 2016. For me, it is really a celebration for being able to do this the last 4 years and to be able to provide for my family doing something that means so much to me.
I hope the feeling in this edit goes beyond who is in the images or even how great they may or may not be technically.
Because for me, it is the act of living that moves me. It is the reason for my vision in photography. Life is always in motion and we are most alive when we move, dance, laugh, kiss, cry…
.. I hope these images make you want to do a lot more of all those things at your next social event, family gathering or wedding.
xo
gc
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I’m normally emotional during weddings, but there is something that makes LGBTQ weddings special and unique. It is a deep and emotional celebration. Every wedding is always a bundle of tears and laughter and Jonathan and Christopher’s wedding was definitely no exception.
The ceremony was performed by Christopher’s father, who is crazy about his son and who welcomed Jonathan with open arms into their family. This is fortunate because it was not the same situation for Jonathan and his family. Jonathan’s brother was the only one who showed up to the wedding to support him. When they first saw each other neither one could stop smiling. I think it was to keep the tears from coming. After I took a bunch of pictures of them hugging and smiling and they separated to get ready for the ceremony, there was a moment when I could feel everything they had been through. The way they looked at each other felt like quiet sobbing without words.
The speeches told the stories of Jonathan and Christopher's journey, their struggles and the people who have been there for them all along. One particular speech was from Jonathan’s friend, Oscar. They met at the now famous Pulse Nightclub. Oscar told Jonathan that when he told his parents about being gay, he was kicked him out of his house. Jonathan understood. Oscar said Jonathan told him that everything was going to be okay and that he could live with Jonathan as long as he needed.
This is why I love to shoot weddings. I capture stories like this one.
To many more stories like this one...
CHEERS!
Venue: Winter Park Farmers’ Market
Getting Ready The Alfond Inn
Planner: Krissy Sue Design
DJ: Our DJ Rocks
Cake: Anna Cakes
Catering: Cocktails Catering
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Since the beginning of my journey as a wedding photographer, the bigger picture was always about the photography. It is about capturing memories and telling stories. It is about doing it well and in a unique manner. I wanted to tell genuine stories of life, love, friendships and family but with a narrative that felt like me, the way I saw the world, relationships, love, life, weddings.
Getting to be a part of this award and amongst those whom I share it with is bigger than anything I could have imagined. The amount of talent on this list is tremendous and I already feel like I am building incredible new friendships. So, it is humbling and inspiring to be apart of it. It feels like that big picture I dream about is all too possible and reachable.
So, today I will celebrate, drink, cheer, cry and laugh. Tomorrow, I am ready to continue on this amazing journey.
Thank you:
To my wife: For believing in me before I believed in myself.
Spencer Lum: For being a mentor and a true and unexpected friend in this industry.
Amanda Marie: For believing I had what it took to make this list.
Jacqueline Tobin, Libby Peterson and everyone at Rangefinder: For seeing something in me.
To all my couples: For trusting in my approach and style of photography and what that could offer to them on their wedding day celebration.
And, to the many people in the industry who have been friends every step of the way without asking for anything in return.
#orlandodoesntsuck
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