Michelle’s Bridal Portraits
How I love, love, love the images from Michelle's bridal portrait session. Here's my favorite. I have a giant canvas of it in my new office.
I have to tell you the story behind this bridal session. To say Michelle is a Duke fan is to make an enormous understatement. She not only holds her undergraduate degree from Duke University, but just this Spring she also graduated from Duke's law school. She is crazy about Duke basketball, evidence of which you'll see later in this post. The term "Cameron Crazies" was invented just for Michelle.
(Ok, I made that part up, but they could have invented it just for her.)
Just thinking about how much work it must have been to finish law school, study for the bar exam and plan a wedding all at the same time makes my head explode. Michelle did have a secret weapon...her mom, Karen. Since Michelle was obviously busy this Spring I had more contact with Karen than I usually have with your typical mother-of-the-bride when it came to planning the engagement and bridal sessions. I soon learned that there is nothing "typical" about Karen. I'm pretty much convinced that she could arrange just about anything necessary to give her daughter the wedding of her dreams. This included having Michelle's bridal portrait made not just at Duke Gardens, but also on the Duke Chapel grounds and INSIDE Cameron Indoor Stadium. When Karen first told me that Michelle wanted to have her picture made in front of the chapel, I whipped out my handy-dandy copy of the Duke Chapel Rules and Regulations for Photographers to let her know that on page 670, paragraph three, subsection A, only brides getting married in the chapel may use the grounds for their bridal portraits. Appointments must be made, sometimes months in advance. I was pretty sure that if we showed up unannounced to shoot the session at the Chapel, we would quickly be surrounded by a Duke Swat Team and escorted off the premises. I would have my Duke Gardens permit revoked and Sweet Life Photography would go to the top of the list of photographers NOT allowed to work inside the chapel EVER again.
Of course, that's not what I said. It came out more like, "Umm, I don't think we can do that." (And I'm just kidding about the guidebook. It's only a few pages long and is actually very helpful.) Karen was quiet for a minute, then said, "Let me get back to you."
Karen, if you're reading this (and I know you are), I thought to myself, "Good luck, lady."
Naturally, she called me back a few hours later and said, "We're all set!"
I'm telling you, don't mess with Karen. I'm convinced she can do anything and frankly, I'm just a little bit scared of her.
Anyway...that's how I ended up being able to get this shot (Michelle's pick):
I love the detail on these doors. Michelle's radiant smile is pretty killer too.
Of course, we had to shoot at least a few in the gardens.
Once the light was gone, it was time for the craziest, coolest part of the session...shooting inside Cameron Indoor Stadium. Turns out not only does someone at Duke owe Karen some favors (just kidding, Mom -- can I call you Mom?), but she knows Coach K. He gave the OK himself. Having never done many bridal portraits inside a gymnasium (and frankly, who has?), I was a little nervous about how it would go. My worries were pointless since it turns out that my camera has declared its undying love for Michelle and refused to take a less-than-gorgeous picture of her.
First stop, Krzyzewskiville...or however you say it. According to Michelle, she spent many a night camped out waiting to get her season basketball tickets.
Michelle wanted to try to get an image up in the stands. I loved the idea, so up we went. One thing you should know about the upper deck in Cameron Indoor: it's really not a good place to be with a wedding dress on. I'm convinced there was at least two inches of gunk on the floor. Ewww. But I love this shot!
A blue Cameron Crazies wig in her wedding gown? Seriously, I just love her.
One of the very best things about my job is that it is never, ever boring. Thanks Michelle (and Karen and Coach K) for one of the most original and fun bridal sessions ever.
Stay tuned for images from Michelle and Ryan's beautiful August wedding. At the rate I'm blogging it should be up in 2009.
(Just kidding, Karen!)
