I saw their love story from the beginning – all those many years ago way back in high school. Carla & I were good friends in our photo classes that we started in sophomore year. Carla & Jesse started dating around the sometime. Who knew that 11 years later, I’d be photographing their wedding!! Carla did an incredible job pulling off this party of a wedding. The details were thought out. They were crafted skillfully. The day was hot! & I mean hot hot hot! It came faster than they expected but I know it was everything they ever dreamed about and more. A stunning day filled with love and plenty of laughter! I am so excited for these two sweet souls & so incredibly blessed that they asked me to be there to document it for them.
The wedding was held at the Sykesville Firehall, also known as Legacy Hall.

I love those short moments right after the ceremony where it’s just the bride & groom celebrating just the two of them that they’re finally husband & wife before the bridal party joins. Some of the sweetest little moments.

It turned into quite the party!!!

So our photography teacher was fundamental in facilitating Carla & Jesse getting together, so he was invited to the wedding. Mr. Gardner – this man was the first person to introduce me to photography. He began my journey in learning about this passion of mine. He was the first to teach me how to develop film and how to shoot, the first to teach me the fundamentals of photography & more importantly the first to encourage me in this skill set of mine. From the beginning he told me he saw something in me. He saw talent. A raw natural talent. & that he knew I would do something with this talent. Then I graduated and we lost touch as most student/teachers do after high school. But the memories of him I’ve always held dear. So when I found out that he was going to be there I was excited to see him. He was one of my two favorite teachers in high school and the one who taught me what is now my career! It took him a split second to realize who was waving at him and once he did his first question was, “What are you doing here?!” To which I replied, “I’m shooting the wedding. I own my own photography business, I’ve turned it into a career.” The look on his face was of pure honest boasting pride. One that resulted in him tearing up just ever so slightly but enough that I noticed. That moment right there was all I needed. That moment right there was one of my proudest moments. One of those moments that will follow me the rest of my life and encourage me. I’ve succeeded. So thank you again Mr. Gardner for even continuing to teach and encourage me 9 years after I’ve walked out of your classroom. That’s the markings of a real teacher. And that sir, is exactly what you are. (ps everyone excuse the mess that I am – remember the day was HOT HOT HOT!)

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