What cool families!

If you remember, I shot Natalie and Bens’ engagement session back in the Summer and it is still one of my favorites. They got married September 8, 2007 in Charlotte, NC at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I was honored when they booked me and I’m still just as honored that they had me shoot their wedding.

Chris Torres from 6 of Four Creations drove up with me to lend a hand and he rocked as usual. Special thanks to Katie for letting him out for the weekend.

** CLICK HERE to see the SLIDESHOW **

So let’s get started…meet Natalie and her sister Valerie, a.k.a. the Maid of Honor. I’m still amazed at how PERFECT she did Natalie’s makeup.

Meet Ben and his brother Bob, a.k.a. the Best Man.

Meet Dan and David, Natalie’s brothers. If you looked up “Energizer Bunny” on Wikipedia, there should be pictures of them. Crazy amounts of energy… (Chris took this image)

And this is my new friend Toni. She wrote me a while back on Facebook when she saw the engagement photos and mentioned her interest in photography. So it was kinda cool seeing her jump right in and grab shots. I’m kinda the opposite of those photographers that write it into their contract that no other photography is allowed in their sacred presence. I’m gonna bug her to post the shot she took…

I talked to the priest the day before and got permission to shoot from the sacristy, which in this case is off to the side of the sanctuary where the altar is. I felt like a paparazzi because I could see all their expressions and smiles and tears that nobody else could see.

After communion Natalie was about to explode. I probably took 20 or 30 images during those couple of minutes. She was fidgety and clearly wasn’t praying like Ben and she kept trying to get his attention. Then she’d look away, put her hand on his kneeler, then look up at the crucifix, then play with her ring for a few seconds, then look down… but Ben was all about Jesus…

Finally she gives him a little elbow and I could finally exhale after he gave her this look and I snapped the shutter.

At the end of the Mass we exit the church and go around to go back in through the side. I was walking in front of them and I turned and looked at them and they were making out kissing and I was missing it! These are the shots I love. Real. Genuine. Nobody has to tell them what to do because they are in love.

Chris got this amazing image of Natalie and he could’ve gone home at this point because everything else just would’ve been gravy…

I am really diggin’ this image.

Bridal party intros…

It’s the last dance and Ben is probably exhausted…

I love this image. Valerie is watching her younger brother wipe tears from his eyes as he watches Natalie and Ben dance their last dance while he holds Valerie’s child.

Chris got this image and I’m not going to try to explain it except to say that I hate Chris for getting it.

I want to say thanks to everyone from the families and from the wedding party! We had a blast and look forward to getting to know you all better.

Ben Vigil — Charlotte, NC Wedding Photographer

Okay, I’ll be honest with you. This was my first time covering a Bar Mitzvah but I can’t imagine that they get much cooler than this one. I’ll give you the details as we go.

This was taken at the family home over part of the meandering pool and waterfalls that Alex’s father designed.

Huy Cat was on hand to help me out and got some amazing detail shots at the rehearsal and on the day of the Bar Mitzvah. These next four are his shots taken at Temple Emanu-el.

As you take a look below and wonder why the details are so amazing, it’s because everything was handled by Susan Graham Signature Events/Bella-Sera here in Atlanta.

Alex loves skating so naturally all the guests got little skateboards.

Decor was handled by EventScapes and Marjorie Pruitt at DecoMarj handled the invites and whatnot.

The party was held at The Compound a very well-known Atlanta night spot where they hung these big huge letters above the pool for Alex. He was super jazzed that his party was at the Compound. Leah Peteet and her staff pretty much nailed everything and we had as much fun watching everything as Alex’s friends had being there.

All the guests were treated to soup shooters as they arrived, served up in style by Bold American Catering…

Emcee Sunnie Dae and DJ Legacy from Abstract Rhythms kept the kids rowdy. Mike from SCG Productions got it all on video.

Alex’s father and grandfather just before the Havdalah blessing.

This was a mini candy store where all the kids could eat as much candy as they wanted. Free.

Did I mention that adults were there too? Everybody had a blast!

Ben Vigil, working the Bar Mitzvah

Date: August 11, 2007
Ceremony/Reception: Peachtree Presbyterian
Slideshow: *** CLICK HERE *** to view the slideshow

I met Maria and Nick through Nick’s co-worker, Greg, whose wedding I covered back in February of last year. I got to chat with Alexis & Greg for a couple minutes at the reception which was a real pleasure.

Maria and Nick were so infectiously in love and they showed it. They were always cutting up and in general having a blast at their own wedding which is always great to see.

This is the first real portrait of the day taken at the salon, very impromptu.

I’m telling you, Nick had the most fun doing shots with the guys. He had a great time with this one because he got to be the tallest one for once.

If you go watch the slideshow you’ll get to hear the song that nick was dancing to. Guests were just settling down for a bite, the DJ played You Should Be Dancing by the Bee Gees and Nick just went to town for 4 minutes as the guests watched…

Congratulations Maria and Nick!

Ben