baby bump

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to shoot the growing baby bump of a dear friend of mine. The gorgeous October light and sun shone bright at Pochet, hard to believe as I sit now with Sandy making her way North, branches batting my roof. Starting off a little cautious and shy, the mama-to-be's glow was hard to ignore and reflected in daddy's eyes, sparkling and bright.

Destination drizzle

What's a little rain on your wedding day? Head over heels, Noelle and Jim hardly took their eyes off one another to notice the soggy air that encompassed First Encounter Beach as they prepared for their I do's.

Priorities

Since I began to shoot weddings eight or so years ago, I have always paid close attention to details that make up the day. Such care, preparation and diligence (mostly from the bride) goes into the elements of a wedding that they have been told are necessities. The dress, the caterer, the music, the flowers, the photographer, seem to consume the couple's minds, never mind their budget. Over the years, and especially now as I plan my own wedding, I have learned one very important thing: The "things" do not make a wedding.
The dress does not have to cost thousands- it doesn't even have to be white, or long or even a "wedding gown" at all. The food doesn't have to be formal, the music doesn't have to be a generic wedding playlist, or costly band and the flowers don't have to be arranged just so- flowers don't even have to be a part of your decor if they are not a part of who you are as couple.
The photography should only a part of your day if its important to you; and it should be shot in a way that reflects who you are as a couple. It doesn't need to include stuffy family portraits or hours of posing just right.
A wedding is about two people professing their love for each other. It may be that this is done in front of their family and friends, ten or two hundred and ten, or it may be in the privacy of their hearts, with a single witness. A wedding may or may not be "the most important day of your life." It is the relationships and moments in a life, that make it important. It is what you do with your talents, the difference that you make, the impression you leave.
A wedding may not be what your parents or grandparents envision. Your vision and priorities are what matters... What matters is that the person you lock eyes with while walking down that aisle is the light of your soul.

Playing Catch Up

Early in this past summer, I was given the opportunity to shoot some jewelry for a local shop, Whispering Cowgirl.

Shooting product was a new territory for me, as my subjects are usually full of life. Being able to totally control and manipulate a subject was interesting. It was a fun experience and I learned a lot. Here's a taste of some of the shots, and the gorgeous jewelry (the Pyrrha line being my personal favorite.)

bliss.

It has been quite some time since I have posted. On September 28th at 11:26 AM, my life was forever changed when Maximus, my baby boy, decided to join the world. Since then, I have been all-consumed with feedings, diapers and simply staring at him while he sleeps. Oh, and also taking photo after photo of his perfect face. More to come as I am certain he is my new muse.

From Ryan Birchall Photography

The Season of Love

Apologies for the delayed and limited postings this season- it has been one of my busiest yet.
Love surrounds me though as I attend and shoot weddings, family portraits and life and love as it blooms and thrives in the salty sunlight. Here is a peek at some of my shots this season so far:

Stolen moments

To be a wedding photographer is to be temporary guest in the most intimate of moments in someone's life. Through the lens, I have the courage to capture the most tender and private of instances- those stolen moments that when compared to the chaos of the day, the commotion of life, are the most profound. Congrats to Jaffrie and Sheila, the first wedding of the season for me.