Cycles of Love

What do you get when you mix a beautiful blue-eyed German girl who flies Lear jets and rides Harley Davidson motorcycles? One awesome, foxy, lady on two wheels! Dah, dah! Meet Sherrie and Mark: Newlyweds-to-be and their gorgeous motorcycles.

I confess that as a photographic artist I’m a sucker for beautiful women and motorcycles. I don’t think there is anything more poetic than the combination of the two. So, when I booked Sherrie’s upcoming wedding through a mutual friend, I got extremely excited when we were planning her engagement session and she mentioned that she rides a motorcycle. (Sherrie, to be honest I was thinking your bike was like a Honda 250cc. You know…the kind I used to ride back in the 70’s). Well, the day she and Mark showed up at the studio for their session, I was literally blow away. She looked so fine! I mean the bike was exquisite. Okay. Sherrie and her bright yellow Harley were complete knockouts. Let’s not forget Mark either. (Nice bike, Mark).

It was so funny driving to our first location (with she and Mark in tow) and listening to the verbal ovations that people in cars were yelling out to them as we sat at traffic lights. My favorite one was: “You go, Girl!” Guys driving in the opposite direction had a real hard time keeping their eyes on the road, too. Personally, I couldn’t resist watching them in my rear view mirror, thinking to myself that this was going to be one of the most fulfilling photo session I’ve ever experienced.

So far I’ve made light of all this, but now I want to get serious. The love relationship between Sherrie and Mark was one of those incredible moments a photographer stores away in his “treasure box of memories”. Yeah, the bikes are beautiful, but they simply compliment an inner beauty these two cyclists have for each other. I wanted my images of them to reflect that and I think I succeeded. So much so that a couple of days later I got a juicy email from Sherrie who was out in Seattle on a flight. She was telling me how much she and Mark enjoyed their session and how excited she was over her images. Here’s my favorite line from her email, though: “Man you're good, Willie! My hat's off to you!”

Thanks, Sherrie, but my hat’s off to you and Mark. It’s going to be SUPER fun at your wedding. Don’t forget to bring the bikes.

50 Years of Bliss

When you meet a couple like Bea & Jerry you immediately fall in love with them. Can you imagine that they have been soul mates (married) for 50 years? That’s half a century! Wow! That’s an awesome statistic and what a great example they’ve set for other married couples.

The day of their portrait consultation I realized they had personalities that seemed to bubble over and draw you into their relationship. Bea’s intent was to give the images to their children as “thank you gifts” during an upcoming vow renewal for family and friends up North. Although she wanted traditional portraits, I also decided that I wanted to have a little fun with them, too. It would be significant to show the romance between them that must be a part of the glue that has kept their marriage together over 50 years.

So, between traditional portraits and a little hugging and kissing, I think these images show they still know how to put on the “Ritz”. Congratulations, Bea and Jerry, and I wish you many more years of happiness! Surely your kids will have great memories of your 50^th Anniversary and the portraits will become priceless in the upcoming years. It was a pleasure being a part of the celebration.

True romance between Jerry and Bea is undeniable.

It's so easy to see why Bea fell in love with Jerry. She probably couldn't resist his good looks.

I think Bea is one "Elegant Lady" that belies her married years.

Jerry is still able to make Bea melt in the arms. Cute.

Jerry and Bea, call me when it's time to celebrate your 60th anniversary. The session and portraits will be free on me.

Miracle Babies

Gloria & Rich Anton are the type clients that enjoin themselves to you and make you a part of their family. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Rich by way of his father (Robert) who has served as both Sheriff & Mayor of my hometown. In fact, it was Robert who insisted that I was Gloria and Rich’s wedding photographer because of our friendship. Shortly after their marriage Gloria and Rich had twin babies (Jared and Angelina) that were born several months prematurely. I was so honored when they invited me to come to the Intensive Care Unit and photograph them caring for their precious babies. (See the first picture below). I have never been so moved by the selfless dedication a newly married couple could displayed while caring for their children. I witnessed firsthand the physical strain they were going through, but at the same time I saw the strength of their faith that their babies were going to be fine.

To make a long story short, five months after that hospital session Gloria called me again to photograph Jared and Angelina. I was blown away when she wheeled them into the studio. They were so full of life and absolutely beautiful! It was one of the most exhilarating baby sessions I’ve ever had. From that session I made a large wall sample, and I every time I look at it I’m reminded about the first time I met and photographed Jared and Angelina. To see them now I realize they are truly “miracle babies”.

There is nothing more precious than children that are loved by their parents. Thank you, Gloria and Rich for this awesome experience in life. God has truly given you two beautiful miracles.