Rounded paper lanterns and twinkle lights lit a glow above Melissa, Justin and their three tier cake. Justin’s eyes curved upwards with his super sized smile. The bride dressed in a modern, delicately cut dress designed by Alfred Angelo squeezed the hand of her new husband. Under marshmallow stars of light and a leaning moon the newlyweds looked into a polka dot crowd of friends and loved ones. And then, in a moment of silence the crowd broke into a spontaneous song. Sung in pitch-perfect unison, with an airy likeness reminiscent of teenagers the belly deep sound rang about the backyard of the Robinswood House. “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie– that’s amore– when the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine–that’s amore.” And the groom went in for a vanilla frosting kiss, the crowd cheered like Griffey hit a homer and I felt a surge of love-filled energy only impromptu, unplanned moments like these can create. Mel & Justin said to me, “Chantal we want you to be as creative as you can be.” When two clients-turned-friends trust me like this, I really believe some of the most beautiful images can be made. I truly loved photographing every bit of this wedding. Cheers to two absolutely beautiful people Melissa & Justin!
Yesterday I had the pleasure of second shooting for a photographer I have looked up to and learned much from over the years, Laurence Kim. Here’s a small look at Seth & Julia’s destination barn yard wedding in Mazuma, Washington just outside of Winthrop. I came home with a sun tan, bug bites on the back of my knees and a tummy full of the best cupcake I’ve ever had in my life (thanks to the bride’s super hilarious dad, Craig, who wouldn’t let me go without one). 
While floating in a basket 3,000 feet in the air the sun, just a little closer, hugs my face. It’s strange, but somehow, I feel safer flying in a bed of straw than I do in a 787 made out of 1,500 sheets of aluminum. Tom Hamilton (pictured below) of Airial Balloon twists the gasket to ignite flames into an open ball of air dressed in colorful fabric. The colors trigger the image of a different place and time… a parade down the streets of Calcutta.
I must admit I’m one of those people who has fallen into the deep and glorious pit of dreaming about their wedding day since age three when my moused curls first sauntered down the aisle. I was a flower girl and wearing what I thought was a dress fit for a princess (more specifically, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, she was always my favorite). The dress was made of red shiny fabric and it’s main attraction was 5-inch shoulder pads. When I say “dreaming of my wedding day,” I’m being literal, there isn’t a binder of wedding ideas with tattered edges and dog eared pages kept hidden under my bed. Although I’m not ragging on that sort of planning, it would probably make the process a breeze. But I have put some thought into a few details I’d love to slip in at my wedding. I’ll go to a venue, or see a cute invitation on a blog, and say to myself.. I dig that.
Weddings, or love stories rather, are like novels. Think about favorite stories you read as a kid, or any good story for that matter. Chances are there’s something of great significance that reappears throughout the novel. It may be obvious- like the tree in The Giving Tree- or something smaller, perhaps a reoccurring phrase like Jane Austin’s, “Kindred spirits.” I think every wedding should have a small detail, that carries itself through the storyline. This detail could pop up on the invitations, engagement photos, hidden under the bottom of your shoe, in a table arrangement. Get creative. The importance of this is to help better explain the story of who you are to people who know you. The more this symbol makes people go, “Ah, this is so them,” The better. Recent example: At my friend’s Janessa and Jensen’s wedding because they both adore Gustav Klimt’s work they bought a little sculpture of his work and used it as their cake topper.
If I was getting married tomorrow, I’d probably do something with vintage typewriters and cameras. These marks of expression are both sentimental to me because I love to write, and of course take photos. I have a naturally affinity for things of the past, and this oh-so-dear typewriter from 1910 is no exception. My mother picked this Corona up for me last week at an auction. Character and style like this is magnetic.
MT. VERNON, Wash., — As the sun was setting over the garden patch across the street, Bob Dylan played over the speakers. Family and friends of Devan and Roxanne devoured chicken skewers and drank chilled Pyramid beer on the lawn. Little blond kids with bits of candy-colored wedding cake on their lips spun in shaky circles until momentum pinned them to the grass. About an hour after Roxanne became the new Mrs. Ballard she was on the dance floor with Devan. Her hot pink lips parted as she threw back her long brown hair, laughing with her husband as they swayed back and forth. The two exchanged vows under an arbor handcrafted by Devan’s younger brother. Hours earlier Roxanne’s older sister Stephanie was the first to greet me when I arrived. Throughout the day she coordinated the wedding with the tactfulness and calmness of a yogi. Walking onto Roxanne’s grandmother’s estate I discovered a huge garden in the back. Inside the home vintage wallpaper and the smell of fresh-cooked bacon set the tone for this down home wedding. If there’s one thing I learned about this couple beside how much they adore each other it’s that they REALLY know how to throw a party. Part of it may be that Roxanne and Devan’s laughter is contagious. Wherever they went the good vibes followed. Another ingredient to the party potion may have been that the newlywed’s friends and family aren’t afraid of getting bendy on the dance floor. At one point the atmosphere swayed me and I literally couldn’t help myself from dancing with my camera. Picture the bride’s brother-in-law, uncorked Cook’s bottle in hand, grooving to Michael Jackson. “I wanna rock with you.. all night.. dance you into the sunlight,” who can’t dance to that? There were so many hilarious moments– from documenting barefoot bridesmaid Bristol duke out Roxanne’s sister for the bouquet, to watching the groomsmen launch Devan five feet in the air for photo. The light and down-to-earth vibe of the whole night was enlivening. The day after the wedding Roxanne’s facebook status read something like, “Literally the BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!” I’d agree, it was completely Devan & Roxanne, Roxanne & Devan. Thank you both for being so much fun to work with. I have no doubt Jamaica is another big celebration! Here are some of the moments that stuck with me most from the day.
I’ve been thinking all week about how to describe Paul and Britta. I was truly touched by their love story, and the whole experience of photographing their wedding day. So touched as I went through the photos, picking out my favorites and crafting this slideshow, I was fighting back saccharine, chick flick love tears. This isn’t normal for me. I can usually keep myself together. And by usually, I mean I can lose control of my bicycle, catapult over the handlebars and face plant into cement, and lay there laughing with blood running down my forehead (true story), but when it comes to real-in-your-face love, apparently I’m a wreck. It might be the way Paul’s ocean eyes look at Britta’s like she’s the only person in a crowded auditorium. Or maybe it’s how Britta looks at Paul with complete trust, like a little child gazes at the moon out of her bedroom window. That notion of safety in knowing the moon’s always gonna be there, looking out for you. All week it’s been sincere, honest, and displayed there on my 27-inch iMac leaving me reaching for my Kleenex box again, and again.
Looking back on the day, it’s kind of a dreamy blur. Everyone was so JOYFUL. Britta’s family and friends were so extremely kind, and went out of their way accommodate me and cheer me on throughout the day. It was a classic, traditional wedding. What comes first to my mind about the day isn’t Britta’s unbelievable dress, the delish food, or how wonderful the light was in the reception hall (though this gets serious photographer kudos). But the giddiness Paul and Britta felt for each other. And how it would have taken a steamroller to wipe the smile of their faces. More than anything else, I want this on my wedding day.
Paul and Britta thank you so much for being such a wonderful example of love. I hope you’re enjoying the Bahamas… and if I’m ever in Chicago we are hanging out.
Oh, and check out the sideshow. You’ve been warned though– grab some Kleenex first.
And a big shout out to my amazing assistant Justin Henning who captured some awesome moments!
When I stepped on a plane to leave home for 4 months to work as a photographer in Beijing the reality of the space that would soon separate me from my loved ones didn’t hit me until the moment the seat belt sign flicked on above my head and I could hear the 747 engine rumble in step with my stomach. Well, actually.. I take that back. I did have a moment. It was around 4:45 am on a Thursday. I sat shotgun across from my boyfriend in a red minivan. We were cruising down I-5 south to Sea-Tac airport. I was a ball of nervous energy.
He kept giving me this look with his kind brown eyes that made my extraocular muscles flex with tension. I was squeezing tears back like Richard Simmons’ squeezes his thigh muscles in Boogie Down the Pounds. I digress, we both knew the next few months were going to be hard. On opposite ends of the world, with opposite time schedules we were going to give the term “long-distance relationship” new meaning. After a couple minutes of unsettling silence I reached for the volume button on the radio and twisted it on. As the sun started to peak over Mt. Rainer Bonnie Taylor’s voice came through the speakers (If you haven’t seen that music video click on the link and watch it… I have not enough words to explain that odd piece of work….) “Turn around…Every now and then I get a little helpless and I’m lying like a child in your arms..Turn around..” Brady’s lips crept into a mischievous smile, and we turned to each other as the van went down the 6 lane empty freeway. As the song hit it’s climax, our voices crescendo in unison, “I REALLY NEED YOU TONIGHT! FOREVER’S GONNA START TONIGHT!” As the song came to a close we both dipped into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
By this time we pulled up to the airport curb surrounded in a sea of yellow. Brady jockeyed through taxi after taxi to find a perfect spot. He popped the trunk, I stepped out. We both reached for my suitcase, brushing hands. I looked at him. It finally hit me. I’m not going to see these eyes or feel these hands for months. He wrapped his strong hands around my back pulling me in and kissed my forehead. A car honked behind us. We kissed. The car honked again. And in an instant I said “Bye baby,” turned away, and completely lost it. Walking to the sliding doors my face was drenched with saltwater. I blew my nose with an extra copy of my ticket information and waddled with my suitcase into line.
Some 5,134 miles later I was in Beijing. And three months later I was taking these photographs in the Forbidden City, and thinking of Brady as I saw this delightful couple so in love, taking pictures in the snow. And 1 month later I was home with him in time for Christmas, cuddling up on the couch reading this poem he left me 4 months prior in my suitcase.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wonder are lost,
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the ashes shall spring;
Renewed shall be the blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
-J.R.R. Tolkien
