Julia and Rob’s wedding in Philadelphia was unlike any I (Vincent) have ever photographed before. Rob is my youngest cousin, and in the more than two hundred weddings that we have photographed over the past seven years, I have never photographed a family members wedding. We are often asked about the pressure of photographing weddings and the stress involved. After more than a decade of deadline pressure and important assignments in the newspaper business, the transition to weddings was seamless.
This was different. As Julia walked down the aisle, it was the first time at a wedding that I was nervous. My parents were in the pews. My brother. As were many of my cousins. My aunt and uncle, obviously. There is always the highest level of expectations when we photograph a wedding but never before would I hear about it at a future holiday dinner or a family barbeque. So I felt it. The first time I met Julia in person was when I arrived while she started getting ready. If there is word that mixes elegant and cool, that was her. And it helped me get right into the moment. I bounced over to Rob’s room as we caught up on the past few years as he got ready for the biggest day of his life.
I rode in the limo with the girls to the church and the ceremony would begin just minutes after we arrived. I felt like a member of the White House Press Corps when they follow the President. Rushing to the center of the aisle, it signaled the imminent arrival of the bride. Flashed popped everywhere as Julia emerged from a silhouetted figure in the doorway. The ceremony seemed to go by in an instant. I remember taking a moment to stop being their photographer and just watch my cousin get married. But just a for moment.
After the family portraits, Julia and Rob had the guests on their feet with a marvelous dance that ended with a great dip executed perfectly by my cousin. Kenny, my oldest cousin, and the best man, gave a speech the heart that was so Ken. Being on the dance floor, shooting, while so many members of my family were dancing was an interesting experience. I don’t ever touch a drink at a wedding, so I got an unfiltered view of my family members dancing skills and made the appropriate mental notes for future conversations! Having the camera also exempted my from the embarrassment of showcasing my dance skills.
It was a truly special might for me to not only be trusted with Julia and Rob’s wedding memories, but to be able to be a part of a day that was so special to all. Congratulations Julia and Rob!!
