Mom Says I'm Running Away

Day 461:

Of the entire wedding day, I was probably most excited for the Polish wedding reception, which I’ve heard can go on until the wee hours of the morning.
But before you think it’s all fun & debauchery, there was also a lot of tradition in the Polish reception.

In the picture above, it’s not an accident that resulted in broken glass, but the couple toasted with a pair of glasses joined by a ribbon, and they then smashed them. They were then given a broom and a dustpan and worked together to clean up the broken glass: I guess a symbolic gesture to show them working on their domestic life.

I have to say, the Poles know how to party: 60 bottles of vodka for 50 guests (including children), all drank neat in shot glasses. Nope, no mixers necessary here. Does everything degenerated into crazy drunkenness? No, not at all!

The Poles have it down to a science: You do some shots while one course of food is served, dance to your heart’s content, and about an hour later, another course is served. Wash it down with more vodka, dance some more, and repeat for 14 hours.

You will find that the well-timed food plus dancing means everyone’s on a good buzz but never distastefully drunk! (although this depends on your version of “distastefully”)

Besides the overall happy vibes celebrating Lena & Tomek’s wedding, it was also pretty cool that the guy who caught the groom’s bowtie (instead of a garter) actually proposed to the lady who caught the bride’s veil (instead of her bouquet) that night! [They're a couple who have been dating for a good number of years.]

I had a GREAT time, with awesome food, vodka and uber-friendly people. Know anyone else getting married in Poland that need a photographer?

Day: 460

Lena and Tomek’s big day took place in an old wooden chapel (probably 200 years old?) on the grounds of the Polish President’s summer residence.  The sky was ominously overcast, but the fact that we were amidst the worst flooding in Poland in 15 years – and it wasn’t raining – was enough the keep the smile on Lena’s face.

The couple, together with their Best Man and Maid of Honor, sign in at the register. It is interesting to think about the numerous occasions – weddings included – that have taken place at this venue over the years, isn’t it?

Part III coming soon!

Day 459:

This will be the first of three posts about the wedding I just finished capturing in Wisla, Poland.   It rained almost the entire time I spent there, yet we miraculously still had sunshine and blue skies for the first half of the wedding day.  Lena and Tomek were up before I arrived at 8:30am and already hanging out with guests and eating breakfast before they had even started getting ready.  I had been warned on multiple occasions that this would not be a short day, So I joined in for a few cups of coffee and a European breakfast of bread & cheese before I got to work.

More to come.

Days 457/458:

A super fast couple of days flew by as soon as I met up with Tomek and Lena in Katowice, Poland. We headed into the Wisla region, bought a large supply of vodka for the wedding day (yes, that is 60 bottles for 50 guests!), did some scouting for wedding day photo spots, and began starring skyward hoping the rain would clear for the big day.  The days were packed and I could already feel the excitement building.

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Day 456:

Today, whilst I was somewhere over the Atlantic on my way to Poland, my father in law passed away. So instead of telling you my tales of getting lost wandering in the rain looking for a hostel in Poland, I just wanted to share a few pictures of this man who was only in my life a short time.  Thank you Arthur for getting to know me, sharing your happy outlook on life with me, and raising such a wonderful daughter who is now my wife.

Arthur and I

My Father and Father-in-Law

You will be missed.

May 10th, 2010:

With less than 18 hours until I head off to Poland, I met up with Aaron, Yvonne and their two kids (Molly and Sammy) to do a little afternoon in the park photo session. Cute kids and a break in the overcast sky gave us a chance to create some great imagery.  Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys!

May 8th, 2010:

I am in the middle for packing to leave for Poland in two days (going to do a little travel, then shoot a wedding!), but I thought I would pop up these pictures of Keith and Star from a week ago at the California Citrus Park in Riverside, CA.  I am really looking forward to being on the road again, and will have daily travel posts starting up on Wednesday or Thursday.

May 3rd, 2010:

Yesterday I was able to meet up with a pair of new Californians (Virginia transplants) in Malibu Creek State Park. This couple is tying the knot in October, but unfortunately I am already book for another wedding, but we definitely didn’t let this dampen our spirits on this spectacular springtime day in California!

April 30th, 2010:

These little guys are my nephews, Preston and Jonah. Their mother contacted me last week and asked if I could set up a session for them and although Preston (the older brother) didn’t feel like cooperating,  these are the results.

April 26th, 2010:

This is Cassandra and Javier, big time travel fans,  who after seeing my travel pictures and getting a great review from Brett and Katie decided to book me for their October wedding.  As always I included an engagement session, and we decided to meet up in Claremont outside of one of Southern California’s best restaurants, Viva Madrid.  We wandered around old town capturing some great images, then headed back to Viva Madrid for a liter of Sangria, a few tapas and some excellent travel conversation.  Definitely the best way to end any shoot.

Oh! For those of you counting… this is post number 600! Woot for me!