I stood in the aisle of the church where I buried a classmate, became a godmother and have witnessed dozens of weddings for friends and family, and I felt the emotion wash over me. As she walked through the door; radiant and beautiful, her mother on one arm and her father on the other, I watched Karyne’s face light up with a smile as she walked towards Johnny; her husband to be, her lover and most importantly her friend. I drew the camera up over my face to catch the moment but also to block anyone’s view of the tears slowly slipping down my face. I was so happy and honoured to not only photograph this event but to be there to watch a friend join her life with another.
Over a year ago I reconnected with Karyne through facebook – we went to high school together and as I was a forever drifter between my core friends and a few other groups, I knew Karyne and I would say we were friends but never beyond that friend/acquantaince level. High school creates funny walls between people and sometimes things are not as they seem so unfortunately we never got a chance to get to know each other better. In any case things have changed quite a bit since high school and when I started talking to Karyne through facebook it was when she was pregnant. When her gorgeous daughter (finally) arrived I came over for a visit and tooks some photos of Sarah; a happy, smiling baby with bright blue eyes. We sat there talking for hours and just catching up more than you really can through the internet. I heard all about Johnny, university and of course all of the details of the personality of little miss Sarah. It was nice catching up with a friend and seeing another friend happy and in love.
After taking Sarah’s photos I was suddenly getting requests for portraits and weddings from people that had heard about me from Karyne. Talk about a one woman marketing machine! I can honestly say her faith and loyalty in me has most definitely been a contributing factor to my business growing as fast as it has. I cannot thank her enough for this – it means so much to me to have someone believe in me and my business enough to recommend me (mulitiple times). Seeing her with Johnny reminds me so much of my relationship with my husband and I am so happy for them both as they embark on this journey together.
Not to leave him out! – Johnny is a generous and caring individual who is a great father. Their wedding day was about each other, their families and their friends. These two are fun and funny together and I hope they have the best time on their honeymoon. As I have already written a novel I will leave out what I love about these two as I am pretty sure it’s evident and because I also have another story a little later. For now check out a few photos.
Karyne’s gorgeous dress
Heading into the church for the ceremony; a parent on each arm
That’s smile that started the tears for me
Just had to add this photo of Karyne with her brother’s – now that’s some love!
The whole wedding party!
This is their standard “Charlie’s Angel” pose they do for all their photos together!
She looks so peaceful
This is apparently an Italian tradition to wrap or bind the bride and groom during their first dance – it was a beautiful and fun tradition and I loved the symbolism
Ok so here is the promised final shot and one that might not makes sense to you until I explain. I told you before about Karyne’s generosity and help promoting my business but what I didn’t fully explain (not that I think I can) is that this is something ingrained in Karyne. I’ve come to see this more and more as I get to know her better – to be a friend of Karyne’s is to be truly cared for. Julie, a friend of both of ours from high school is getting married next weekend (yes I will be photographing that wedding as well – so expect another emotional post – esession photos will be going up this week.) Someone bought Johnn and Karyne a honeymoon as a wedding present so unfortunately although they RSVP’d yes – they will not be able to attend Julie and Dan’s wedding next weekend. Amidst all of the excitement and stress leading up to her own wedding as well as a promotion and participation as a bride’s maid in other weddings – Karyne still remembered to bring a card for Dan and Julie – at her own wedding! This is the perfect example of how thoughtful she is and I am so glad to have gotten to know her better!
Johnny & Karyne I hope you enjoy your honeymoon – get lots of sun – relax and bask in all of your alone time. See you when you get back!
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