Nora and Eric in Ithaca

I arrived a little early to meet Nora and Eric at Cornell on Sunday and was thinking about what I do, and these engagement shoots. I have never met them, or Mark and Katherine before yesterdays shoot, and didn’t have a clue as to what any of them looked like. I was wondering how many people could meet someone for the first time, point a camera at them, and walk away with the images I intended on creating with them. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how blessed I am to have this gift that I love so much.

Then I started thinking about the wedding and how much work they are, and how constantly being on the run that day doesn’t really give us a chance to get to know each other either. That is why I do these engagement shoots. I include them in my packages because I feel it is essential for me to connect with my brides and grooms. A lot of photographers do them and charge extra for a limited amount of time. My contract says 1.5 hours but I have never done one in that amount of time. Today we are squeezing it into two hours because Nora and Eric have to go to her Mom’s birthday party (Happy Birthday Mom). Yesterday Mark, Katherine, and I were together for six hours (that is $50.00 worth of babysitter time too) and I have no regrets, in fact I loved it and would not have it any other way.

So I am sitting in my car waiting for another car to pull up. I already asked the wrong girl if she was Nora, and I could hear her telling her friends “I don’t know who he is”. Then a couple walks up out of nowhere, sits down, looks around, and then she starts to pull out a phone so I know it must be them. I pull up, they know it is me, I know it is them, but how does that happen really? Instantly, it is like we have known each other forever, they get in and we drive away to create magic. The whole thing is such an amazing experience, and really blows my mind when I think about it.

I also feel blessed because of my clients. All of my couples are so friendly, and the greatest people. Nora and Eric definitely fit right in with this, they are awesome. Nora’s skin is angelic, light and the camera just love her. I was working on the images trying to think of who she reminded me of. Then it hit me; she looks a lot like Katie Holmes. My wife saw the images and said that she is going to be a beautiful bride.

Thank you Nora and Eric, I wish we could have spent a little more time together but the time we did have was a lot of fun. Hope everyone likes the images, and I can’t wait to be with you on your special day. As always, click on the photos to see them bigger.

Comments

[Marti Bledsoe Post]

Frank, these are beautiful! And so are your musings about meeting new people and getting to know them through your camera. We can't wait for our engagement shoot in August, which will be here before we know it!

[Sofie]

I'm still getting over how tidy your desktop is...! These are such lovely shots Frank. I really like the closeness of the couple in the second & sixth shots. They have a great, warm feel to them.

[Mike Warren]

These are great Frank! She really does have a glowing, angelic skin! Im not sure which I like the best, they are all awesome! I love your dissertation on connecting with your couples! Very well written and thought provoking!