Man, where do I begin with this one.

This was the wedding of Carrie and Justin, friends of my wife’s family.  My wife is from the coolest teeny tiny town in Alabama, called TROY Alabama.  Her family  (now mine, too) also live in Troy.  I’ve been there a few times now and here is what I know about Troy, Alabama:

It’s a place where boys ride motorcycles and shoot guns, where girls ride horses… and shoot guns.  It’s where adults live for their families.  The air is warm and humid and the light is somehow always soft.  A photographer’s wildest fantasy.  It’s where Miller is the beer of choice, where whiskey is called ‘brown water’, and where everyone goes to church on Sundays at these cute little chapels and in the afternoon, there’s always a BBQ.  There’s a little place in town called Crowe’s Chicken, and every time I’ve gone I was the only white guy there, but I swear it’s how fried chicken should taste.  Across the street is the local hangout, The Half Shell.  Just across from the John Deere tractor store.  It’s the land of pick up trucks, country music, camouflage pants and both U of A and Auburn flags.  My wife’s parents live off an old dirt road.  Inside it smells like biscuits and outside, are farm animals and a big old fishing pond and a gang of dawgs and cats, all fighting for your attention.  Across that pond is my wife’s sister’s house, where she’s got a family of her own.  I’ve been adopted into this town, although often the butt of Uncle Joey’s jokes who is always sure to tell me that dinner is what you eat at noon and supper is what you have before bed.

My Parent-in-Laws include Larry, “the guy who could kill a grizzly bear with a butter knife”, but gets teary-eyed every time he has to drop us off at the airport, and Kay, who us always so concerned about what food there is for me to eat in the house.  It always starts healthy, with the best of intentions, but I find myself eating her cookies within 24 hours, every time.  Damn.

So that’s how I know Carrie and Justin – just friends of the family who happened to be getting married.   I wanted this to be extra special for them, because I know it’s pretty unheard of in Troy Alabama to bring a photographer out all the way fron Denver.  So anyway, that’s a longer intro than I’m used to, but you have to know the background so that  you can at least have a hint of appreciation what a charming Southern weddin’ is all about.

 

Upon arrival… everyone’s very excited for the hours to come!

 

Did I mention this is a Southern weddin’?

 

Details…

 

Makeup time.

 

This is a dress shot.

 

Real deal.  Love the horses.  They are everywhere.

 

Creepy guy with the camera.  Self portrait.

 

Miss Ginger.  🙂

 

Groomsman

 

Stepped out to get a quick ring shot.

 

Justin is getting ready…

 

Justin likes hunting, I know that for sure.  A great guy with a quiet disposition, but don’t let that fool you, he’s got a hilarious sense of humor.

 

Time for a first look.

 

Cute flower girl and ring bearer.

 

If you know me as a photographer, you know that I feel strongly that my job is to capture EVERYTHING.  The essence of many weddings often include heart ache.  Carrie lost her father a year ago.  But could have fooled me.  His presence was very strong.  Letters and photos everywhere.  I read this letter and was definitely a little teary-eyed by the time I got to the end.

 

No DJs at this wedding.  Just some great country music from the locals.  Amazing talent.

 

Larry.  (read above).  I just call him Daddy.

 

Great-grandma.

 

I sat here for a while, trying to decide if I should include this next photo.    You should try looking at people through a 200mm lens sometime.  You feel every emotion.  The loss of her husband is still very new.  You can’t look at this through a 200mm lens and not feel it.  Sharp image, poorly framed, but my vision was blurred.

 

Here come the men!

 

The Belle’s…

 

Pure Alabama wedding awesomeness…

 

Had to include.  😉

 

First Dance

 

Grandfather-granddaughter dance.

 

Mother Son

 

And now it’s time to party.  I got some great party pics at this one!

 

I like photos like this.  I bet in 20 years we’ll look at this shot and feel the newness of smartphones.  Because they won’t always be new.  🙂

 

I don’t know who this girl is, but look at her face, she is so pumped to be in a photo with Justin!

 

Mama and Daddy!

 

When I took that last photo, I was DRENCHED.  Never felt humidity like that before.   But such a great wedding.  Carrie, Justin, thank you so much for trusting me with your wedding day photos!  I had such a great time and I can’t wait to come back some day for some baby pics!  Congratulations!!