Helen Joy’s Photographer Blog

Helen Joy George 8/26/15 Helen Joy George 8/26/15

married in the clouds | michael and jill`

On the 4th of July, on a beautiful cool morning at Ceasar’s Head State Park, Michael married Jill and their families joined together as one. Jill used to come to Ceasar's Head as a child with her father, they scattered his ashes there after he passed away, Michael proposed to her there and so this was the exact spot that they wanted to get married.

These two have a quiet, strong love.

I’ve been photographing Jill and her extended family for years and last summer she had an extra sparkle in her eyes and her cheeks were youthful with a happy blush and then I met Michael and it all made sense. Michael is strong and protective and the way he wraps Jill in his arms makes me just sigh with happiness.

The day of the wedding was perfect. This overlook is usually crowded and I was worried that tourists and the hot weather would make it hard to photograph well and even then I was wondering how they would pull it off. But Ceasar’s Head was in the clouds that morning and a dewy drizzle covered everything in the most beautiful and sparkling haze. The groom and his men wore kilts and I swore we could have been in the highlands somewhere. It was straight out of a fairy tale.

One thing I loved about Jill was her unfaltering joy as she waited to walk down the aisle. It was raining on her wedding day and she was not just dealing with it, she was dancing!

For a few seconds after they were declared husband and wife, the clouds parted and you could see the outline of the mountains. And then the beautiful fog rolled right back in as if it was a soft embrace around the day.

www.helenjoy.com

Helen Joy George 4/29/15 Helen Joy George 4/29/15

tina and randy | riverside elopement

On the most beautiful spring day last month, I had the honor of photographing Tina and Randy as they met by the river and pledged their lives to one another. The day was simple and incredibly tender. There was so much love there pouring out through laughter and tears.

There where moments I didn't even want to exhale because the intimacy was so thick.

How refreshing to strip down all of the "stuff" usually involved in weddings and to be left there with pure, vulnerable, selfless love.

Thank you. Thank you for trusting me to be witness to your story.

www.helenjoy.com

Helen Joy George 1/26/15 Helen Joy George 1/26/15

jon and arin | a new year's day wedding

On New Year's morning, a special time ripe with anticipation and dreams of adventures yet to unfold, Jon and Arin got married. I joined them for a mere two hours of their morning to tell their story...today and for years to come.

New Year was their day. They started dating on New Year's Day 9 years ago and 5 years ago he asked her to marry him. This long awaited day was worth waiting for. It was the most lovely winter day...clean and warm and crisp all at the same time.

This day was pure and simple.

Cooking and bustling and all hands on deck to help. Mama's hands carefully weaving babies breath around the cake, babes underfoot, love all around. I found myself holding my breath at times not wanting to break the spell.

This is what weddings should be, whether in the comfort of a home or in the largest cathedral.

Weddings should be enjoyed.

Finally when it came time for toasts, it hit me. Not only was I just effortlessly able to document the day without really interrupting it, I was overwhelmed with the intimacy I was experiencing side by side next to their most loved ones. It reminded me of the feel I get in a birth room. Then gratitude filled my heart and spilled over into laughter.

Take a peek into their beautiful wedding day...

At a time when I usually feel burned out from my busy season, this simple wedding energized the depths of my soul and reaffirmed the direction I am wanting to go in this coming year.

Here's to love!