A Weekend To Be Remembered - The Wedding I Didn't Photograph.

Good Morning Everybody,

I know it's been quite a while since I've checked in with you at DigitalProTalk but as I sit here at the fabulously beautiful Ojai Valley Resort and Spa in Ojai, California on our patio with the soft, cool morning breezes and looking out onto the mountains kissed by the morning sun I reminisce about all my years in wedding photography.

On this wonderful weekend I mark the 24th occasion of my spending time with the families whose Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and weddings I have photographed since 1999. I have been honored to photograph 23 of those 24 wonderful events but this weekend I get to "take a by" on the photography end of things.  LaDawn and I are here as invited guests of the family and what a joy it is just to spend time with the mothers and fathers of the bride and groom and their extensive extended family.

It was "bride's choice” on the photographer for the wedding but the groom's family still wanted us to part of the festivities. We could not be more pleased to accept their invitation! 

As I said, this is my 24th occasion to be with the family this weekend.  And what makes this occasion so joyful for me is the fact that I have watched most, no, nearly of the the young adults attending grow up over these past 16 years. I have photographed 5 of the weddings of whom the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs I have photographed in years past.

I'm proud of each and everyone of the siblings and cousins in this large loving family. During the speeches at the rehearsal dinner last night it was just so inspiring to see how each toast maker carried off their sentiments with humor, class, and style. Each one had indeed come of age.

We as parents all hope for our children the very best even though that parenting path is at times burdened with challenges, stress, and frustration - the norm for most, if not all parents.  But to see Tobi, Aaron, Joey, Robby, Mammie, Amy, Johnny, and all  rise to occasion of the wonderful wedding celebration brings hope, joy  and pride to all the guests looking on last evening.

Before we headed back to our room, LaDawn and I visited with most of the groom’s siblings and cousins last night  just to affirm to each of them how we felt about being with them and being part of the weekend celebration. I guess I felt like the photographic uncle is so many respects having watched all 22 cousins grow up over the past 16 years. Like I said, it's been a wonderful weekend.

Later this afternoon we celebrate Johnny and Melissa's wedding and LaDawn and I can't wait to raise a glass to toast the new couple.

This wonderful profession has been extensively rewarding for me over the 50+ years since my first wedding. Those rewards have come in the way of financial and professional success. But the highest and best reward of being a photographer for so many years with loyal and supportive clients is to watch the new generation come in and begin to take charge of our world.

The feeling that's most prominent for me this weekend is that our future is in good hands.

To Johnny & Melissa, parents, siblings, cousins, friends and extended aunts & uncles,

I say "l'chaim!"

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That’s it for today.  I’ll try to get a few wedding images up tomorrow.

See ‘ya everybody.

Thanks for stopping by, David