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.