lady crystal & sir emilio

when a friend asked me if i would be available to shoot a renaissance-style, middle-of-nowhere wedding, i said yes before even looking at my calendar.  i don't shoot a lot of weddings - maybe because they're so predictable - white dress, swearing to god, tight shoes, chicken or fish, and a million combinations of family poses where everyone's expected to be told to "SMILE!" for the picture.  i feel beholden to produce WEDDING pictures - bride looking virginal by the window, ring glinting in the sun;  the barefoot wedding party jumping up in the air together on a beach at sunset; blurry vignettes, impossibly perfect skin, and a really old car to pose with, if possible.

the wedding of crystal and emilio was truly unique, a thousand percent genuine, and a privilege to document.  it helped that the bride and groom aren't young adults, swayed by preconceived notions of what's acceptable or expected.  everyone i met was overwhelmingly open, generous, and buckets of fun.

there were relentless mega-high winds that tore down the guests' tents and kept the cow from being spit-roasted over an open fire.  i had tears streaming down my cheeks all day from keeping my eyes open in the wind to take pictures.  the tent where the ceremony was held shook and rattled and flapped, but none of it seemed to bother anyone.  i was reminded of the whos in whoville after the grinch has taken away all their presents and baubles.  they gather together, hold hands, and sing their cute ass song.  because what matters are people and community, not a perfectly executed schedule of events.  this was the spirit of the wedding and i hope like hell i did it some justice.

i asked these women to do one shot straight-faced because they looked like badass witches to me.