Dec 27 2007
Surviving Christmas
Well, by now we’ve all managed to get through Christmas - be it a hectic time, or a quiet time.
Mine is usually pretty quiet, but this year there was no such chance, as my father was getting married a few days before Christmas, and there was no one to take photos!
Whether or not my family expects me to be the photographer, I don’t know. But, being in the wedding party, I assumed they would have made other arrangements (the lesson there is never make assumptions).
They’d organized a family friend to be the videographer (he didn’t show up, mind you), but no one to take still photos. Naturally, I always carry my SLR around with me, so I took some photos when all the preparations began (the ceremony and reception were to be held in my dad’s backyard).
The difficulty was then what to do when the guests began arriving, and during the actual ceremony!
I made sure I was dressed pretty early, and went outside to take photos of guests as they arrived, and generally capture the early beginnings of the wedding. Wearing a strapless dress and high heals isn’t really the ideal photographer’s outfit though (needless to say my feet were aching before the wedding actually began!).
Putting a camera in my hands tends to make me a little bossier than usual, so I gathered all the kids, grandkids, and partners to come out the front (all the guests were by now out the back) for portrait photographs.
This delayed the ceremony a little, but it meant the bride and groom actually ended up with some proper, posed portraits, not just messy candid shots.
The ceremony itself was then the problem, as I was walking the groom (aka dad) down the aisle, which meant taking photos as well wasn’t possible.
Having previously had many a photography-related conversation with one of the guests I decided to entrust him with my camera and to take the ‘official’ ceremonial photographs. Thankfully he did a wonderful job.
I now have nearly 200 photos to crop and Photoshop, but at least there are some photos!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and wish you the best for a happy and successful 2008!
What a delightful story Alpha,
I can imagine the gaiety and happiness at the event.
Thank goodness you came to the rescue with your camera and the JV you initiated with one of the guests.
I know the bridal party will be enternilly grateful for your foresight, otherwise they would have no record of their big event.
Thanks for the wishes.
To you also a magnificent, prosperous, happy and fulfilling 2008.
A fan reader,
Gloria