There is really something special about this line of work as a photographer. Well, besides the obvious of just playing with all the latest and coolest photo gear, there’s the whole thing of being a people person. I guess if you’re not a people person and you still want to be a photographer, then you probably just sit out in the woods by yourself with your camera and wait to take pictures of a sunset or a wandering deer. But, I love people. All kinds. I think that is one of the most rewarding things about this kind of work. The people. And, it’s really a passion for me instead of work.
My recent assignment took me to an area known as Apple Hill in the Mother-lode area of Northern California. The California gold rush was sparked not too far from here back in 1849. I was in the foothills of the Sierra’s and it’s dotted with rustic gold mining towns with antique shops and houses so far apart that their residents probably don’t even bother locking their front doors. I love it here – it’s so much different than my suburban condo lifestyle.
I met Michelle a few years ago. She was my lab partner in an Anatomy/Physiology college class (…don’t ask). Michelle had contacted me through my web site and reminded me what I once told her; if she ever got married and needed my services, look me up. I’m glad she did. A few weeks before her wedding I had the pleasure of meeting her fiancé, Sean. (There’s that whole fiancé vs fiancée thang. See blog post below.) Great people! But it just started there. Meeting and talking to the rest of the family was just as good! They have some very proud family members! These are military, law-enforcement, fire fighting, patriotic family members. Fantastic – I was loving every minute of it. Even the bride is active duty U.S. Air Force.
Good people must draw other good people to them. That’s my theory anyways. I think good people make other people around them also do good things. Do you beleive that? It’s like that TV commercial for some insurance company. One person picks up some trash, and the next person helps a lady accross the street, and in turn the lady holds he door open for someone else, etc. etc. Here’s what I’m getting at…I was taking a few pictures of Michelle and Sean outside the reception hall. The family was there too. We were at the Apple Mountain Golf Resort (outstandingly beautiful, by the way). Then out of nowhere, this total stranger walks off the course and hands the bride and groom a hundred dollar bill. With his congratulations, of course. Took all of three seconds and he was gone again. What a deed of kindness. Pay it forward!
Michelle and Sean haven’t seen their pictures yet and I can’t wait ’til they do. It was easy for me to capture the joy and passion of their wedding day. I can’t wait for them to pick out the photos for their wedding album.
