I have known Jim for a very long time. Anyone who knows how old I am will agree it is a “very long time” but we’re not here to talk about me and my age despite the fact I look really good for my age. Jim’s wife passed away after a lengthy illness. Similarly, Maryann’s husband also passed away after a lengthy illness. The couple found each others company enjoyable, began dating and decided their relationship was important enough they would get married.
Two months ago I received a phone call from Jim asking if I was “doing anything on December 26, 2009?” Other than spending time with my family my response was “No.” I asked him what he had in mind and he informed me he was getting married again and wished I would complete the wedding photography. As a wedding photographer I absolutely jumped at the chance. We discussed the couple’s plans. The couple quickly agreed they had no desire to have any photos from the ceremony. The reception would be held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens located on transit Road in Depew, NY. The only people in attendance with the couple to celebrate their day were their four adult children. The couple also said they wanted “nothing fancy.”
I have only been in Salvatore’s on one occasion and I didn’t venture much past the lobby. WOW! is all I can say. If I could not use some of the millions of decorations as backdrops then I just wasn’t doing the couple or the restaurant justice. We were able to convince the management to open up an area that was locked and scheduled for a wedding party on another night. It was great, we had the entire room to ourselves. Beautifully lit Christmas trees, decorations and the marvelous wrought iron gates.
The only people in attendance other than the couple were their four adult children. Mary Ann’s son Michael and Jim’s children; Douglas, Kathy and Gregory. The bride and groom asked that I begin with family portraits so each family member would have photos for their family. Dinner was what it was or at least what I have heard it is at Salvatores. AWESOME! Photos during dinner and then at the Italian Gardens hotel down the street on the Williamsville, NY portion of Transit Road.
Normally I have very little difficulty getting someone in the bridal party to smile. This evening was different and it was the bride and groom who experienced difficulty smiling. Tonight we abandonded my normal approach of candid photography and we used all “staged” portraits. These turned out nice and seemed to be a better fit for the couple and their personality.
Thanks for reading and please scroll down and leave me a comment.
Christopher
The forces of nature get together to produce interesting sculptures. Wind, water and freezing temperatures combine to form some of the nost beautiful sculptures on Earth. They cannot be duplicated and as they are made of organic compounds and continue to be exposed to the same forces which developed them, they will change daily. As they grow and change they remind us of the frailty of life. Soon these sculptures will be gone and remain only in our memory. It is my desire to capture these memories for all to see as I have seen them.
I love trees. They have two very distinct personalities; the one we see when in full bloom during the warm, inviting summer months and the one we see during the cold, dark months of winter. The trees have shed their leaves, their personality and stand dormant as once great features of our landscape waiting to bloom once again. We often take these same trees for granted and pass by them without notice. We cut them down arbitrarily when they are in our way and lament their absence when gone and unable to provide us with comforting shade.
Three trees stand a silent vigil on the Western shore of the Niagara River.
Mother Nature’s sculpture as crafted by the wind and water.
More ice sculpture. i can get lost for minutes trying to figure out the exact combination of elements which helped to form such interesting sculptures.
I watched the seagulls from my perch at a nearby picnic table. The wind had picked up and began to ruffle the bird’s feathers; their heads tucked into their breasts to avoid the cold, windy assault.
More ice sculpture.
Additional trees guarding the shoreline of the Niagara River standing silently against the cold breezes blowing across the water.
This is my favorite. As a child I remember listening to Neil Diamond’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” over and over. If memory serves me, I needed to replace at least one vinyl LP it was played so frequently. I saw this seagull effortlessly coasting on the wind and I was transported back to the 1970’s and the song “Be” from the Jonathan Livingston Seagull soundtrack. it was very peaceful sitting and watching the birds take flight on such a cold afternoon.
A picnic table absent of people who, when the weather is warmer would be enjoying a meal, a cup of coffee or just the company of another.
It’s not often I see pigeons by the river. This group took flight as I approached. They are beautiful and graceful in their flight.
