Wedding Story – National Accreditation PPOC

I’ve received my Accreditation with Professional Photographers of Canada in Wedding Story. For Wedding Story, ten images must be submitted that tell the story of a couple’s wedding.

Not only did I receive my Accreditation on my first submission which is very difficult to do, but I received on overall Quality score of Very Good. I’m humbled, and overcome with emotion.

Truthfully, this is what I feel I’m best at, telling stories, both with words and with my images. I put my whole heart and soul into my work, and my clients mean the world to me.

I think of how I can create something for them that will stand the test of time, bring back moments, smells, sounds. There will come a day when a bride looks back on her wedding album and the photo of her Mother, full of laughter will bring back that exact moment. She’ll hear her Mom laugh, remember the pure joy of that split second in time.

The groom will remember sitting in quiet introspection, thinking about the day to come. I often wonder what Riley was thinking when I clicked the shutter. I don’t know what was going through his mind, the laughter of the guys in the next room, wondering what Delanie’s dress looked like, or whether he would cry when he saw her (he did). I don’t know, but I guarantee you, he’ll remember exactly what he was thinking when he looks at this picture.

Moments into memories, that’s what I do.

This couple, Riley and Delanie choose me to tell their story, and we spent a lot of time together, talking about the day, the timeline, details, shot lists, all of the little things that make a wedding day special.

We also talked about how they met, what they do for a living, how they love to spend time together. Why they love each other. I felt I knew Delanie before I really even met her, just from how Riley spoke of her.

You see, I’m not really only photographing a wedding; I’m reminding a bride that she is cherished beyond measure, showing her with images. I’m showing the bride’s father how loved he is by his little girl, clear form the look of his daughter’s face as she laughs up at him while they’re dancing. I’m also showing the bride the depth of love her father has for her as his eyes are glued to her as they start that walk down the aisle. I don’t photograph weddings, I document love, connections, moments, memories.

This Accreditation is not about me. It’s about the stories I tell and the incredible human beings I tell them for.