Charley sent me this email a couple of weeks after their wedding, it was titled ‘A Reset Button’ and it was just perfect. So I thought I would let her do the talking this time as she really said all I could ever say, and more. Thank you for your beautiful, kind, and thoughtful words Charley, and for letting us be a part of your special day.
“Hi Emily,
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. We’ve been taking our time, digesting the beautiful, emotive images you gave us that capture our wedding (and a lot more besides).
It’s really important to us that we tell you that we chose you because everyone should know the effect their talents and strengths have on other people. Yours are mesmeric. People stare at those pictures because they keep seeing a bit more each time and somehow, dresses move and you can hear what was being said in a moment – all in a still picture that you’ve taken; how does that work?!
We loved the way you tell the story of people, their relationship and the relationships they have with their friends and family. We didn’t just choose you because you take stunning images (though that is absolutely the biggest element of what you do); it’s more of a crafting and weaving of more than you can see in each image in isolation. You use images to tell the parts of a story you can’t see or touch so much. That’s why we chose you.
These are extremely precious images and for generations after us, our family will be able to appreciate our story and identity as individuals and as a couple. They will also see the bond Andrew and I have with the boys, which is very special.
Our family and friends have been blown away by the story you told. Our story was already unique and complex, funny and daring, but you’ve laid it bare for what it is: full of love between us, between us and the boys, and then the extended family. Our friends are our family as well and you captured that too.
You asked in your email if we loved the pictures you gave us and I haven’t answered you yet (I thought I’d pause for effect). We don’t just utterly love them; we will live by them – kind of like a mantra in pictures. Your pictures are what we will go back to when we are experiencing tough times and we will use them as a reset button so we can stay on track as a family unit and as a couple, because what you captured in those images seems to sum up all the reasons we fell in love with each other and fell for each other’s families.
So, from our family to you both, thank you so very much for this beautiful gift you’ve given us. I suspect that many people just want a photographer so they can look their best and refer back to it for a vanity check. What you gave us was a reference point in time that we will always be able to use to focus ourselves and make us smile because of the memories you evoke for us.
Lots of love to you both,
Charley and Andrew x”
Hi Emily! wow these photos are amazing! I am getting married in riverhead soon and would love to know where the glass houses were! they look like a great wet weather option. If you could let me know it would be amazing, thanks!
Hi there, thank you! Unfortunately the green houses belong to a friend of the couple, so just for them only I’m afraid. All the best for your day.