Location, Location....Africa, France, Moutain views

What does location have to do with it....

As a photographer with a lot of location experience I find that it has prepared me for any situation that can occur. But also sometimes the location is so fantastic that it is impossible to take a bad photo.

I am not just talking about weddings. I am talking about my photography workshops that I took in the South of France~impossible to take a bad photo. Or a blue sunny day on the top of Whistler mountain. Or travelling the back roads of Africa. Amazing views and culture and architecture surround me everywhere. So now as I am settled and shooting in Erie PA, sometimes you need to be able to see the views that others may not see.

In the future I will post a few other favorite images. I am currently working on a album from my 6 months in Africa. I have pulled a few to share that I had handy.

Traditions & Customs

Traditions & Customs...Did you know?

As a photographer, embracing customs is very important on weddding day. As someone who is documenting history it is important to know what to expect. Different cultures and ceremonies can have some very beautiful rituals that shouldn't be missed.

Shooting most of my current weddings in Northwestern Pennsylvania I don't see so much variation in the customs.

In Japan, for instance, purple is the color of love and a young bride may choose to wear an elaborately-embroidered silk kimono covered in purple iris-flowers.

In China, couples prefer to marry on the half hour~when the clock is on the up swing, symbolizing ascending fortune.

It is considered good luck in England for the bride to be kissed by a chimney sweep on the way to her wedding. Sweeps are associated with hearth and home, and thus domestic bliss.

A multi-layered fruitcake topped by a small cedar tree is a wedding tradition in Bermuda. The tree is planted after the ceremony and is expected to grow with love of the couple.

There are so many traditions in so many cultures, but all are centered around the basic concept of a new beginning, a new life together with a commitment of two people hand in hand in marrage.
What customs have you incorporated

into your wedding? What was the coolest tradition or custom that you have seen?