There are weddings where I’m simply the photographer. Then there are weddings where I know half the guest list before I ever pick up a camera.
This was one of those.
I’ve known Miles for well over ten years. We photographed his cousin’s wedding over 10 years ago, he somehow found his way onto our roster, then somewhere along the way he essentially became a part of our family (even during his brief stint in Washington DC). Karis and I joke that we’re his work mom and dad, and it’s only “sorta-kinda” a joke. We still remember when Christine first showed up as his new girlfriend at one of our annual holiday parties, with all eyes on this +1 who was going to be attaching themselves to our Miles.
That’s also why I originally didn’t want to photograph this wedding.
For once, I thought I was finally going to be a guest at a wedding, after 16 years of photographing them. But Christine & Miles were very persuasive and insistent that we would be the ones to photograph them on their big day. We eventually relented, but only because:
- It was Christine & Miles.
- It was Maritime Parc.
- I got to wear a tux.
One thing I appreciated about the day was that nobody felt the need to over-explain anything. Christine’s Indian heritage and Miles’ Dutch roots were simply part of the wedding, the same way faith was simply part of their relationship. It all fit together without anyone making a big production out of it. Honestly, that’s usually when it works best.
We also made a quick stop with a vintage New York taxi. I’ve got a guy. (Every photographer should have a taxi guy.) It wasn’t there just because yellow looks nice against the Manhattan skyline. Christine and Miles live in the city, so it felt like bringing a little piece of home into the wedding day. Plus, if you’re going to battle Jersey City traffic for portraits, you might as well do it in style.
Maritime Parc was the perfect place to finish the day. I’ve photographed there more times than I can count, but it never really feels the same twice. Every couple brings something different, and this one felt less like another wedding and more like one big family gathering that happened to have a phenomenal view of Lower Manhattan.
There was also the very strange experience of photographing people I’ve worked with for years while simultaneously trying to remember I was technically a guest, too. I’d stop to say hello, realize I was holding two cameras, and get back to work. Rinse and repeat. Wearing a tux definitely confused a few people. I wasn’t helping.
Somewhere during the reception, it hit me that I’d known Miles for over a decade. Long enough to watch him grow as a photographer, move away, move back, meet Christine, and build a life together. That’s a pretty cool seat to have for someone’s story.
Also, Miles’ mom has been one of my biggest fans for years, so there was absolutely no chance I was getting away with mediocre photos. The pressure was very real.
Congratulations, Christine & Miles. Thanks for letting us celebrate with you…even if you tricked me into working on what was supposed to be my day off.
