Have you ever attended a wedding and experienced an event so perfect, so elegant, so utterly lovely, that you want to thunk yourself on the side of the head and exclaim, “Why didn’t I think of that for my own wedding”? Well, that is precisely how I felt during Daphne and Gabe’s big day.

First I saw Daphne’s utterly chic chignon, (thunk #1) Then she unveils the short, flirty oh so fresh Amsale dress, (thunk #2) When she pulled the killer Alexander McQueen booties out of the closet for me to photograph, I almost gave myself a concussion with that thunk and finally that bouquet…Why on earth didn’t I think of that?! How wonderful, to not only hold such a unique piece of floral art while walking down the aisle but to also have the option of planting it in your garden and be reminded of your wedding for years to come.

Needless to say, I was completely smitten and charmed by this sweet, intimate event and I’m not the only one – the very discerning Janie of The Bride’s Cafe loved it too. So much so, that’s she’s featuring it on her beautiful blog today. There are lots more inspiring images so please be sure to visit and leave a comment.

Daphne, when you and your sister first met with us, you half jokingly commented that your wedding was going to be so small and low key that you wondered if there would be anything for us to photograph. As it turns out, you could not have planned a more photogenic event. You, Gabe and your families were not only wonderful photographic subjects but the love you all share shined through brightly in all of the images. Larry and I wish you lots of love and happiness in the years to come.

Finally, I would also love to mention the supporting characters who made this day so special.
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Holly Flora
Reverend Jerry Bellamy

Having children in the bridal party is a total blast for us as photographers. Larry and I often joke with the bride and groom that we will be designing an album for them containing nothing but photographs of the kids. Not only do children impart a wonderful sense of fun and unpredictability to the festivities, they often bring out the kid in the most stoic of adults.

“The camera makes everyone a tourist in other people’s reality, and eventually in one’s own.”
~ Susan Sontag

I will gladly follow.

The 4th of July was a big deal to my family growing up. We became U.S. citizens when I was in the sixth grade and our newly conferred status was not taken lightly. While our Portuguese heritage was ever present in our household, our newly adopted country permeated many aspects of our lives. For example, my father only bought American cars and English was slowly but surely replacing our native language at the dinner table.

For Independence Day, my parents would pack us up into our Ford Fairlane and off we would go zipping down to Cape Cod. For one glorious weekend we did what all other American families did. Our lunches at the beach consisted of what to us was a super exotic delicacy – hot dogs! At night the trusty Fairlane would transport us to that uniquely American venue, the drive-in theater.

Whenever I think back on those July 4th weekends, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude – to my parents for the endless sacrifices they made so that my sister and I would have every opportunity possible and to this great country that has been so good and bountiful to all of us.

Happy Independence Day everyone and God Bless America!

“Married couples who love each other tell each other a thousand things without talking.”
~Chinese proverb