To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect. Although in the West the word “Namaste” is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.

We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.

For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.

Ideally, Namaste should be done both at the beginning and at the end of class. Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.

The next couple of weeks, Wordless Wednesday will feature photographs from that trip.

I hope you enjoy!

Namaste

Mosey on back next week for more photos.

Mid August I was sitting in my office. It was about 8:00 PM. I received a call from a young lady who asked me if I had October 7th available. I did. we spoke a little about her plans and scheduled a day and time to meet to discuss all of the particulars and sign a contract. Before we completed the call, Brenda asked, “This is going to be a gay wedding. Are you OK with that?” I was at first glance a little puzzled by the question, but quickly responded, “Absolutely!” The rest as they say is history and you can see that history in the words and photos which follow. Once again, I hope you enjoy reading and seeing the photos as much as I enjoyed making them.

Brenda and Linda have been together for 20-years. That’s a lifetime in the married world. If you’re lucky enough to see 20-years in today’s married world, you know you have achieved a mile marker of greatness. To be together for 20-years and then to get married means so much more. I think it’s a travesty the couple had to wait to get married and still have trouble wrapping my mind around the fact until very recently, marriage was only legal to members of the opposite sex.

I won’t get into the politics here because that’s not what this site is about. This site is about the couple’s who share their love enough to want to enter into an agreement until “death do us part.”

I met with Brenda and Linda at the Westwood Country Club. The couple said their vows and partied the night away at an absolute jewel in Western New York.

One of my favorite things to photograph on a wedding day are the details. There are so many ways to shoot a table, etc. I also think it’s one of the more important photos to get. Too many times we miss those details and I usually hear the couple say, “We never got to see “that” because we were so busy with everything else.

The couple completed a wince and chocolate ceremony often called “Bittersweet love.” This was my favorite part of the couple’s ceremony. A little bit more about this in the next post.

True love and happiness. Promises fulfilled after 20-years of waiting.

One of the most beautiful cakes I have seen.

I’m going to add another post specifically detailing the couple’s ceremony. I thought with all of the photos it needed its own post.

I hope you enjoyed.

Namaste.

Chris

The beautiful Bluff Point Lighthouse was constructed on the island in 1874. For some 57 years the lighthouse was maintained by a resident keeper and his family. In 1929 a steel tower was built just to the south of the structure, the light was moved to the top of this steel beacon where it remains today. Today, the lighthouse is accessible; and by special arrangement with the Clinton County Historical Association, visitors may receive a guided tour.

Namaste

I had so much fun with Marcie and Paul doing the couple’s e-shoot, I’ve decided to post additional photos from the event.

Enjoy!

If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen so far, don’t stray far…there’s more to come.

The red umbrella brightened what would have been an otherwise dreary, rainy day.

Namaste

Namaste

I hope everyone enjoys!
I love sunrises and I especially love running at sunrise. There’s nothing like a good sunrise to recharge the batteries and make everything alright.

Namaste

]]> http://christopherkijowskiphotography.com/blog/2011/11/buffalo-ny-wedding-photography-wordless-wednesday-41/feed/ 0 http://christopherkijowskiphotography.com/blog/2011/11/buffalo-ny-wedding-photography-wordless-wednesday-40/ http://christopherkijowskiphotography.com/blog/2011/11/buffalo-ny-wedding-photography-wordless-wednesday-40/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:10:12 +0000 Christopher http://christopherkijowskiphotography.com/blog/?p=3648 I took a head clearing walk late last week after the culmination of what was an extremely busy and difficult week. As a social worker, the week leading up to Thanksgiving and then as we get closer to Christmas are not as joyful as I would like. I’m only human. I feel the same stress my patients feel. My coping skills are challenged and this is when I take advantage of the store of energy I maintain as a result of my meditation and contemplative walks/runs.

This week saw me tapping into those reserves. I am thankful I have been maintaining a positive balance in my emotional bank account.

Enjoy “Wordless Wednesday!”

This walk was what I needed. When I walk and even run (Yes, I take a point and shoot with me on my runs) I practice contemplative photography. My eyes are constantly taking in the sights and the accompanying light.

My parents taught me a very long time ago the importance of saying “thank you” and recognizing the individual for their kindness.

I make sure I keep a box of fine stationary in my office. I collect antique fountain pens (yeah, I know) and keep several inked all the time. Email is impersonal, text messaging is too easy but the feeling of a fine fountain pen nib gliding effortlessly across a fine piece of stationary; well that is something special. Thank you’s deserve something as special.

Think of someone who has done something nice for you, go to the store, choose a card and write a personal note to that person letting them know how much you appreciate them and/or what they have done for you.

What can you say other than…beautiful!

Katie called me on Monday a full-week before her wedding and expressed concern about the weather we have been having so far this year. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those seasonal changes which traverse directly from Winter to Summer with the only division being the lack of snow.

Katie and I discussed the weather and my eternal optimism that the weather was going to be nice for her wedding. Katie was concerned about her post-ceremony photos while I was more concerned about the actual ceremony as it was an outdoor wedding.

We discussed alternate locations for post-ceremony photos. Katie chose the Barton Hill Inn and Spa. The hotel  was very generous allowing us the use of an unbooked room, small ballroom, accompanying terrace and foyer. Within the hotel we found many props to which Paul instantly gravitated like a child finding themselves locked in a room with an endless supply of candy.

We prayed to the rain gods and they responded by holding the foul weather at bay

On the way to the Grand Island Holiday Inn for the ceremony, Katie stopped at the Mt. Olivet cemetery where Katie’s dad was laid to rest. Katie and I walked to his headstone, she knelt and wiped the top of the stone clean and laid a wreath in his honor on top of the stone. Katie talked of her love for her father and her wishes he could have been present to see her and walk her down the aisle on one of the most important days of her life. We spoke and agreed he was watching her from above. At that moment I felt a drip of water on my face. It was a tear of happiness as well as sorrow.

The guitar was her father’s bass guitar. Her father was an accomplished musician who played in a band during the seventies called “Stillwater.” Katie’s mother talked of her husband’s musical prowess and broke into tears. She said, “Chris, you would have loved his music.” As Katie’s father grew older and the prospect of remaining an active member of a band faded like a dream which we can no longer recall after we wake, he began spending more and more time playing guitar in his church’s folk group. Katie’s mother stated, “That made him so happy.”

Katie looked beautiful.

Namaste.

Chris

I went for a long run last Saturday. The first four miles of the run took me along the Niagara River. As the path swept closer to the water I found myself running and paying more attention to the scenery. I stopped at one point and marveled at the serenity which I witnessed. The surface of the water resembled glass and colors reflected from the water’s surface as the sun rose were an incredible palette. The sights prompted me to return the next morning…this time with camera in hand.

I hope you enjoy!

Namaste

Nancy is the pumpkin carver, cookie maker and house decorator in our house. I’ve never been fond of these activities, but I do enjoy photographing them.

Have a happy & safe Halloween.

Namaste

As I said, this is only a sneak peak.

Thanks for viewing.

Namaste

Chris

This is the result.

I hope you enjoy viewing as much as I enjoyed making this photograph.

Namaste.

Chris

Here is one of my favorite photos from the trip.

Namaste.

Chris

Anyway, I’ve been otherwise busy shooting a couple of weddings, editing and meeting with brides. Today I’d like to share a couple of photos from a recent wedding. I hope you enjoy seeing the photos as much as I enjoyed photographing them.

Namaste.