All Because Two People Fell in Love…

By Shana L Karn, Co-Owner/Photographer

“All Because Two People Fell in Love,” is printed on signs, picture frames, shelf sitters, border bytes and more. It is a phrase that never grows old. It seems to be one of our most popular wedding gift sayings, which is no surprise. Brides who walk through the shop with me during their free wedding registry set-up, frequently add at least one item with this saying to the list of gifts on their registry.

Other popular phrases for wedding gifts include, “Always Kiss Me Goodnight,” and “And they lived happily ever after” but by far, “All Because Two People Fell in Love,” is the best selling. Perhaps, this is why it is this exact phrase that often runs through my  mind as I am shooting a wedding or editing wedding photos— looking through my camera lense, I watch the ring exchange, the kiss, the first dance, or the cake cutting and I find myself thinking, “all because two people fell in love...”

Whether I am walking through the shop with a bride-to-be (or a bride and groom) or shooting engagement or wedding photos, I love working on weddings. When else do you see two people MORE in love and happier than you do at a wedding? It is the best. For me, it is a means of restoring my faith in fairy tales and happily ever after. I can walk away from a wedding (that I photographed) thoroughly exhausted yet completely exhilerated by newlywed faith, hope and love.

Wedding shoots frequently begin with nails, hair and make-up appointments for the bride and bridesmaids. I click pictures of stylists who skillfully sweep hair into spectacular up-dos, make-up artists who use airbrushing to apply a flawless foundation for their masterpieces. I click picture after picture of bridal suites, flowers, jewlery, shoes and even lingerie. One can read this article here to know where to avail the best kind of lingerie. I capture the bride’s mother as she sheds the first of many tears while fastening a wedding gown, adjusting a veil or clipping a necklace; I photograph the father of the bride when he first sees his daughter in her dress— his breath momentarily taken away by this stunning bride who was, not that long ago, his “little girl.” I carry tissues in my camera bag— for parents and guests but, also, for me. Between shots, as needed, I lower my camera and offer nervous grooms words of encouragement, worried brides a hug or a quick hand squeeze.  I point the young flower girl down the aisle or put a finger to my lips to try and quiet the toddling ring bearer – all the while marveling at how lucky I am to be a part of such a happy day.

As another summer comes to a close, I am inundated with editing wedding photos. Weighing heavily on my mind are thoughts of my many eager newlyweds patiently waiting for me to finish their galleries and plans for the upcoming fall wedding schedule. An average wedding results in over 1,000 image files and, in the last six weeks, I’ve shot four weddings.

My editing process is always the same. I upload images from my camera cards to my computer. I preview each enlarged photo, critical of exposure, focus, lighting, and subject matter. I delete photos of brides who blinked mid-shutter, making their shadowed eyelids appear heavy and drooping. I apply blemish fixes to photos of bridesmaids who awoke that morning with a giant pimple on their chin or nose or forehead. I brighten the hungover groomsmens’ eyes and clean up the groom’s five o’clock shadow. I quickly trash any mistakes—photos that are distorted, way over (or under) exposed. If the wedding photos took six hours to shoot, the editing will take twelve hours or more. Edited photos are then uploaded to online galleries, where they can be proofed by my newlyweds. I want each photo to acurately represent the beauty of the day, the venue, the guests, the meal, the cake, the music and, most importantly, the bride and groom and their anticipation, excitement, happiness and love. It is a painstaking process that I perform with a careful eye and a steady hand, all the while thinking to myself, “All because two people fell in love.”

The Second Knob Gifts & Antiques
and Shots By Shana Photography
129 North St.
Dryden NY 13053
(607)844-5662
www.thesecondknob.com
www.shotsbyshana.com
Facebook: The Second Knob / Shots By-Shana