Sincerely,

Such a fun and meaningful wedding I had with Nichole and Craig this January.  I posted some of the images we did for their engagement session over the summer and I had been anxiously awaiting the wedding day ever since.  Following a beautiful ceremony at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix, we celebrated their love at the Arizona Science Center.  She had recently begun medical school so they added a bit of science theme to their wedding reception.  Among other fun, personalized details, their monogram is like two pieces from the table of elements, an x-ray was included in each invitation and beakers were used to toast champagne.  They put their whole hearts into making it amazing and special and it will be one of my most memorable because of that.  It's ALL about the love.  

And, anyone who's shot with me knows how excited I get about clouds... awesome!  Just a gorgeous evening that grew even more so as night fell and was then capped off with a full moon.  The heavens truly descended that day in January.

Nichole and Craig, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives.  I can't wait to continue our story.  Thank you for the amazing letter you sent me as well.  That's the nicest response I've ever received and I wanted to share it with everyone.  

"Dear Ben,

Craig and I have never been very photogenic!  We both actually try to avoid the camera.  However, with all the excitement that surrounded us, I guess it was easy to not notice the always watchful lens… OR, it was because you executed the picture taking like a work of art!  Masterfully!  It was such a stress relief to know that we were in such wonderful and capable hands.

Everything came out so great, the engagement photos, the guest book, the wedding portraits and even the small cards you sent with the web site instructions.  Amazing!!!

I have gone through all of the weddings pictures several times and there are moments captured that I have already forgot took place.  It is so great that I can just flip through all these breathtaking pictures and remember those subtle moments as well.  It goes without saying that Craig and I will enjoy these photos for the rest of our lives; they are a physical representation of one of the most wonderful memories we will ever have.  The quality of the pictures were far beyond our expectations and far greater then we would have imagined.  They are just beautiful.

Thank you Ben for everything your have done for Craig and I.  We will cherish your photographs always.  And thank you so much for working with us, it was an amazing pleasure.

When we look back on our wedding day, you will always be at the forefront of our thoughts.  Thank you again, so very much.

Sincerely,

Craig and Nichole"

Happy Valentine's

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and the month of love, I wanted to follow up my last post with another amazing story from the heart.  Debbie and Chris, you will forever be one of my most touching, emotional and inspirational couples.  I love you guys and wish you happiness together beyond this short life we know now.

Debbie’s words:

Ours is a story of a special friendship that turned into love. Chris and I met in the year 2000 when he began working the same place as I, in the Phoenix Fire Department Regional Dispatch Center. Over the years, our friendship developed over work outings and conversations we had to get through those long nights of working night shift. I eventually promoted to supervisor and at one time, began directly supervising Chris. He and I had a lot of fun talking about life, love, and our annoyances of the job. In the year 2005, my husband, Lonny, passed away suddenly and tragically. One of the first phone calls I received while following the ambulance was from Chris. He expressed heartfelt concern and well wishes for both of us. Over the next 6 months, Chris was one of my best supporters when I needed an ear in the middle of the night. He even forced me to go out one night saying I needed to get out of the house. Finally, in May of 2006, we had our first real date. He took me out for sushi and sake. Over the next two years, we took things slowly partly because we had to and partly because it was a good idea. We both knew early on though, that this was the real deal. We went on many trips, were introduced to each others family and friends, and began the art of discovering who each other really was. Thankfully, families and friends gave approval and we found that we had found a life partner in one another. There was never an official proposal. We always just knew, but it was cemented over a tearful (me) conversation one afternoon. Scared that all the waiting would jeopardize Chris' desires for our relationship, I gave him a chance to part ways. Instead, he took my hand and told me that all he had ever wanted was a good lady and a good marriage and that I had treated him better than anyone ever had. He wasn't going anywhere. The deal was sealed and several months later over a text messaging session, we agreed to go pick out my engagement ring. Now… let the happy ever after begin!!

Rebekah Silver photo

Rebekah Silver photo

Rebekah Silver photo

Rebekah Silver photo

Rebekah Silver photo

Rebekah Silver photo

Rebekah Silver photo

To those who brought everything to the table for this wonderful wedding- Victoria Canada Weddings and Events, the beautiful Desert Mountain property, Table Tops, Etc., Ray the DJ, Miguel de Maria (I apologize if I have forgotten anyone)- excellent work!  You are the best and it's always a pleasure. 

Delicate Life

I know it’s been a month since my last post and, embarrassingly, a month before that one, but life just seems to slip away sometimes. I was preparing yesterday for a new post when the phone rang… a life had, literally, slipped away.

As a wedding and portrait photographer, I get to have fun, meet great people and constantly challenge myself creatively. But, it’s the importance of my pictures that I truly love. I’m called to capture moments that will be treasured for generations. It’s an honor and I greatly appreciate being there for my couples from “I do!” to parenthood. So, I thought the perfect post to start this year (I know it’s February already) would be a newborn session with one of my wedding couples.

While editing the pictures, removing baby pimples and a little scratch Emily Jane put on her delicate skin during the shoot, May called. May and Manny are also one of my couples and particularly dear to me. I’m a bit of a sucker for true love stories and theirs has always brought sappy tears to my eye (figuratively speaking) every time I’ve told it. They were actually married in 1991 but couldn’t afford a lavish event and settled for a simple civil ceremony. On April 18, 2009, their 18th Anniversary, they finally got their beautiful church ceremony and big reception. They waited 18 years to have their dream wedding and beautiful, it was.

Shortly after, Manny was diagnosed with lung cancer. Very advanced and very serious. May and I quickly started working on their wedding book and just received it a couple weeks ago. I think Manny must have been waiting to see his album that was so long in the making. Now, my tears are real as I tell their story.

photo: Rebekah Silver

To Emily Jane and Manny: you’re loved more than you could ever know.