I was honored to photograph a wonderful wedding on Saturday at the Taos Territorial House, under clear blue skies, with warm temperatures, light breezes, and gold leaves underfoot.  Weddings are microcosms of life - with varying themes and personalities - and thus, are spontaneous and impromptu events.  For me as a photographer, I approach them with energy and excitement, but also with trepidation.  This is a once in a life-time event and it must be right.  If possible, I investigate the venue months in advance in different light and, with luck, during the same season and time as the wedding will be held.  I check and double check my equipment, making sure cameras have appropriate settings, batteries are fully charged, and data cards are functioning.  I take more than enough of everything, from lights and bulbs, to USB cords and extension cords.  If I don't get it right, the self-flagellation is awesome.  Once I get to the venue and involved in the process, I find surprises everywhere, and some of the best opportunities anywhere for environmental portraiture.

Since this was an October wedding, what could be better than using the color of the season, combined with just a tad of Halloween/Dia del Muerto decorations? Below is a skull, brimming with flowers.

One of the many details that made the event alluring was the bride's dress.  It was handmade by her great grandmother, worn by her grandmother and her mother, and now Ashley wears it.  She certainly did it justice.  The buttons and lace on the back represent generations of life and memories.

In next week's blog, I hope to present more wedding images.  There is still rendering to do with the six hundred or so photographs waiting in the wings.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@