Providence Wedding Photographers | Newport Wedding Photographers | Rhode Island Wedding Photographers – Mark Andrew Photography

Beth and Chris are a great couple who really knew how to enjoy themselves with smiles on their faces throughout the day as they celebrated with family and friends.

The ceremony was held at St. Mary’s in Shrewsbury where Beth grew up. She spent the morning getting ready at her childhood home and it was special to see where she came from since she was starting a new journey that afternoon. Chris is one of the most outgoing and personable guys I’ve met. My favorite shot of him is the first one of he and Beth after he exits the church. You can see him visibly exhaling. All of his buddies gave him a little ribbing because you don’t often see Chris “off his game”.

Part II which covers a wild formals session and the party will be coming Monday.

A quick peek at one of my favorite images from last weekend. I love to tell the story of a bride transitioning from one family to another. From her family that raised her to the family that she and her husband will create on their wedding day. I love how you see the progression using the family photographs in the background. Much more to come.

Jess and Brian are one of the most easy going couples I’ve had the pleasure to photograph. They are living near downtown Dedham right now and when I asked them where they wanted to do their engagement session they wanted to simply shoot around their home. I love these types of sessions and it really shows the couple in a relaxed natural way.

This image was made last month on a visit to Maine to visit family and friends. Lola is a precocious little girl so I loved capturing her running off the dock, but also taking a minute to herself on the rocks next to the dock. I have really enjoyed family lifestyle work and have found that it really fits into how I want to shoot as a photojournalist. I also love the complications of light outside and using on location lighting to enhance the available light.

Sandra and Chris picked a wonderful day to celebrate their wedding. The chose Old Sturbridge Village and the setting was unique and inviting. When Sandra was getting ready she mentioned that she has a hard time getting Chris out on the dance floor and that she was excited because today he’s HAVE to dance with her. I try to be on my toes the entire wedding day, but I knew that theses pictures would be one of the special moments that Sandra would like to look back and remember.

This is one of my favorite B&W images from 2009. I l pride myself on being a photojournalist during the day and capturing the moments as they unfold because for me, it’s all part of telling a wedding story. Here’s the backstory for this photo.

The bride is running late and Chris has been left alone in the Sacristy by his best man while he went to check on the limo and it’s whereabouts. There was joking and small talk to kill the nerves, but once Chris was alone he became still and held his hands together almost like he was in prayer. He had the 1000 yard stare and realized the magnitude of the day. When Chris saw this photo in their gallery he just laughed and said “Man, I was really worried that she realized she could do better!”

On the second day of Inspire Boston we all wearily trudged into our first session of the day at 9 AM. Blam, Eric Laurits hits us right up the head with an inspiring video that made me think about my entire vision as a wedding photographer (He has the video on his FB page).

Then the second BLAM. A slide with seven questions that make us question who we are. I don’t mean who we are as a wedding photographers. I MEAN who we are as a human being.

1. How would you define personal vision?
2. How do you articulate personal vision?
3. Where does personal vision come from? Is it ingrained or acquired?
4. How do you go about taking personal vision and putting it into practice?
5. How has your personal vision changed over your lifetime?
6. Have you ever compromised your personal vision?
7. Have you ever questioned the authenticity of your personal vision?

I mean! WOW! Those are questions that rock us to our core. I had scribbled down my answers and then took some time this weekend to reflect and write out my answers in a quite place. It was a gut wrenching experience and I looked at it from the angle of being several things in one person. I’m not just a wedding photographer, I’m a husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and I needed to write out my statement so it incorporated all these facets. I also wanted to be real and attainable. I didn’t want it to sound like some corporate bullshit mission/vision statement. I won’t share it here, but if you’re an interested friend I’d be glad to e-mail it to you so I can have someone keep me on the path if I get off track. I sent Eric my personal vision today and I know he’ll hold me accountable if I get off the path.