A Line of Gold

There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself.

John Gregory Brown

Happily Ever After

One of my favorite reception exits ever.

I can't wait to uncork this wedding from wine country. Check back soon for some sunny images and the sweetest love story. I'm so honored to tell it.

Roses in December

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.
James Matthew Barrie

Mr. and Mrs. Smith finally got married!  You first met them here, and then a tiny glimpse here.    

The bride - my friend - is a master at details.  Her wedding was planned with precision and was  infused with personal meaning.

My gift to the couple?  Capturing all those details for their memories.

My photographs illustrate their day through my eyes, capturing a few moments that otherwise might have been missed.

I love detail shots.  I believe that detail shots are portraits.  They require the same preparation and technique as a portrait of a person: Finding the perfect background, the right light and the most flattering angle that accurately reflects how you want your subject portrayed.

Yes.  Absolutely, they are portraits.  Just of things.  That patiently and politely sit still.

But, from the moment she slipped into her gown, I put down my camera.  I patted it gently, gave it a cookie and tucked it into bed with the admonition of no late-night tv.  From that moment on, I needed to be a friend, not a photographer.  That day was likely the last time I would have the privilege of standing by the side of a friend making the remarkable transition from Ms. to Mrs.  So, my purpose wasn't to photograph every moment.  On the contrary, my purpose that day was to be in the moment.  To be the best friend I knew how to be.  To throw her a knowing wink, calm the butterflies, fetch another glass of champagne, and hold her hand until she made it to the altar.  And, bittersweetly, that's where my duties ended.  Because at that moment, those privileges transitioned to Charles.  For that day, and for every following day.

For a lifetime.

So, for all the other moments of the day, I must rely on mental snapshots: Those moments in which you stop and take particular notice of the sights and sounds and tangible clues around you because they are so perfect you never want to forget them.   A leisurely breakfast with my friend on our private bed & breakfast veranda.  Sunlight streaming through the windows after two solid weeks of rain.  The scent of hairspray and the palpable twinge of anticipation.  Tinkling bells of nervous laughter.  The tightest hug, and a few droplets on my shoulder.  Constant flutter-bys from butterflies - a celestial gift to the bride.  (An amazing story, although not really mine to tell.)  The groom in his dress blues, undoubtedly fueling every girl's fantasy of an Officer and a Gentleman.  (And he is both.)  A rustle of white satin, then swirls of lavender.  Intensely emotional vows.  The constant lump in my throat.  Sparkles reflected from crystals on Barbara's gown that seemed to float like fireflies in the candlelight. Prawns with garlic and butter; bubbles dutifully climbing in champagne.  A charming toast with tears to follow.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith: I'm wishing you the brightest memories of your day so that you will always have a place to return your hearts when you need a place to rest.  And, of course, so you will always have lavender roses in December.

XOXO,
Kaycee

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

A couple of delightful reminders of a beautiful late September day that melted into midnight much too quickly.

More to come.

Life's Finest Work

I never quite understood the significance of a wedding anniversary until I earned my own. And I do say earned, because, each day, marriage is a choice. It's a covenant, and it requires that you make a daily decision to cherish another life ahead of your own. But, it's also the most beautiful promise I've ever made. Marriage has given me purpose, enriched my life, and brought me more joy than I ever expected.

We had the absolute honor of having someone very special to us officiate our wedding. There was something very comforting about walking down the aisle to a circle of people that knew my husband and I intimately and sincerely shared in our joy. And, I have our wedding ceremony, entirely in Jon's words and his handwriting, as one of my most prized possessions. In celebration of three years that have passed since the day my husband and I pledged our lives to each other, I'm sharing the Wedding Address from our ceremony. Whatever relationship you are in, or leaving, or joining, my wish is that these beautiful words lift you and give you perspective and hope.


Marriage is the joining of two lives. The mystical, physical and emotional union of two human beings who have separate families, histories and destinies. It is the merging of two bodies, two personalities, and two life stories. Joel and Kaycee, each of you has a unique and life-shaping past but, today, you willingly set aside the solitary journey of yourselves, independently, to discover who you are in the presence of one another. Marriage means neither absorption nor displacement by the other. Rather, it is a protected environment in which love can grow. As a consequence of that growth, you can each flourish as individuals and develop in your highest capacities as loving human beings. In marrying, you say not only I love you today, but also I promise to love you tomorrow, the next day, and always. You will change because of this, I promise! You will shape yourselves according to it, and live differently because of it. In turn, however, you will feel protected. In marriage, you are encouraged to challenge the limits of human possibilities. Knowing you are truly loved, you can make mistakes, feeling confident that someone will be there to catch you. Because taking chances is at the heart of change, in marriage, you can expand to your fullest potential. For it is love, after all, and before all, that has the two of you in this beautiful place. Love is the inspiration, the magic, and the healing balm of any marriage. Love is what brought you together. Allow it to keep you whole. And so, as you tend to the endless requirements of what your individual destinies will demand: Return your hearts, again and again, to the love between you. Love will give you joy and will give meaning to the pursuit of your dreams. For love is life's highest destiny, its greatest purpose, and its finest work.


Happy, happy anniversary to my darling husband, my constant friend, and my one true love.
XOXO,
Kaycee

Be Authentic

If you rely on the web for your daily news, like I do, you've probably already seen this video splashed all around. But it's such a delightful watch. Even if you've already seen it, watch it again. Your dimples will thank you. You know how some things make you smile, and some make you goofy-smile? When they dance in slow motion, I laugh out loud. When this bride takes her turn down the aisle, she is so blissful - I seriously want to hug her. Even grandma claps.

I always say that I am so thankful weddings are now a true reflection of the bride and groom and their unique love for each other. I don't think it's just a trend; I think it's here to stay. I love how this couple takes a risk - a leap from tradition. But, if you're dedicated to being truly authentic, it's not really a risk, is it? Whether it's your wedding, your marriage, your personal values or your ringtone, be authentic. Be you.

Your dimples will thank you.

I Heart Faces

I don't know when I first fell in love with weddings. I'm not sure if it was when each of my Barbies married Ken (not that I'm into polygamy, and Ken wasn't really the best choice, anyway, but there weren't many fish in the Mattel sea), or if it was when my friends started getting married (first one was at the ripe old age of 19), or if it was when Martha Stewart launched her delicious Weddings magazine, which I started subscribing to before I even had a serious boyfriend. (What is a blog post if it is not to divulge some self-deprecating honesty?) I first experienced the rush of photographing weddings when I was an assistant to one of the finest film photographers I've ever known, Gary Oftedahl, in Rogers, Arkansas, the Norman Rockwell townlet in which I spent my most formative years. Indulge me, patient readers, as I share my photographic roots. When my family moved to Rogers, it boasted a population of 18,000 people and was most known for hosting the first Wal-Mart store and the headquarters of Daisy Rifles. The two seem to go together, don't you think? The town celebrated its heritage with bed races through the historic downtown bricked streets, ice cream socials, catfish frys and jalapeno eating contests. And the weddings - the charming weddings. I assisted Gary with only a few: always at the local Baptist church, at 2 pm sharp, with a minimum of 5 bridesmaids, a reading from 1st Corinthians, and a cake and punch reception to follow in the fellowship hall. Back then, wedding photography was just as formulaic as the wedding: mom adjusting the veil, bride with her bridesmaids, tallest in back!, groom with his groomsmen, everyone point at his watch - it will be funny!, bride with the groomsmen, cheee .. hold it .. flowers a little lower, hon .. cheeeese!, groom with the bridesmaids, check, check, check. All I really remember doing as an assistant was adjusting the bride's train for the formals. That, my friends, was a Very Important Full Time Wedding Job. The bride always changed into a going-away outfit (white, of course), and they were off, under a shower of rice, by 5 pm. These weddings were predictable, but they were absolutely as charming and innocent as this southern town. It was while I was working for Gary that I realized the most special yet simple truth about weddings: Every Bride is Beautiful.

Since then, my love for weddings has only grown. I've been lucky - no, absolutely privileged - to have worked with another of the finest photojournalistic wedding photographers. Under his watch, I've photographed professionally-produced weddings, choreographed to the finest detail. I've photographed intimate vows, emotional grooms, anxious brides, and thousands of orchids under one tented roof. Since my assistant days in Rogers, weddings have certainly evolved (thank you kindly, Miss Martha) but the most amazing part about the modern wedding, I believe, is that couples can finally wear their hearts on their proverbial, lacy sleeves, instead of worrying about posing for the camera. The heavy, medium-format film-munching camera. Today, weddings are deeply personal. And filled with emotion. And why wouldn't they be?

I'm submitting the image above for this week's photo contest at I Heart Faces. Be sure to stop by to check out the fun entries, and send your good wishes to someone in my daily blog list, guest judge Jasmine Star, as she tasks herself with selecting her favorites. (Wait - Jasmine Star - the Jasmine Star - is going to be visiting my blog? I haven't even had time to tidy up!) This photograph, above, was the first one I thought of when I decided to submit. I have seven bridesmaid dresses in my closet, and from that experience, I can hand you a taffeta-wrapped guarantee that this beauty I photographed is positively wearing her heart on her sleeve, too. Doesn't she have a beautiful face? Just perfect for this contest. What a gift photography can be. It is, I believe, the best job on the planet. Cheers to that.

For My Husband

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

Happy 2nd anniversary, sweetheart. Thank you for every day
of our incredible love story. XOXO.

The shutter clicked, and I knew.

From the weddings I've photographed, I can't say I have a favorite image. They are all so different, so lovely . . . each one of them a page in a love story. Bridesmaids giggling, groomsmen gossiping, brides hand-wringing, dads beaming. Picking a favorite would be so unfair. But, if you asked me twice, if you insisted, I could maybe, perhaps, in a hushed whisper, mention this one. I always come back to this one.

I know thee,
I have found thee,
and I will not let thee go.
William Blake

Between Angels and Men

Best wishes for my cherished friends, Denise and Andy. Congratulations on your beautiful (and very blonde!) baby girl! I think you will find that a daughter has a tight grip on her parents' heartstrings forever, as evidenced by your dad's bittersweet smile in this photograph from your wedding day. I can't wait to meet your sweet Alyssa. Knowing her parents, I look forward to seeing who she will become.

A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men.
Martin Fraquhar Tupper