Ireland is all about Guinness and family

Ireland… Its like driving to door county to shoot a wedding, except for the unique accents and a couple of customs checks. Some of you may recall the Volcanic ash northern europe and a large part of the world was affected by early this spring. Well I was almost one of those people. On April 24th I was scheduled to shoot a wedding in Westport, Ireland. My flight to get to Ireland left on the 22nd! and as of the 21st of april flights were still being canceled. For some reason I always had a peace that I would make it, and the bride did as well (at least she told me that on the phone, but when I actually arrives she was so relieved). When I arrived I was welcomed in as one of their own, I was even offered a bed and stayed the whole weekend with the family.

The wedding went off without a hitch, and we even did an after the day shoot which in turn gave us some unique and amazing images.

But what was my take away, I went a quarter of the way around the world to photograph a wedding, they hired me for my photographic abilities/skills and I agreed to go for the experience. As amazing as the location and the accents were, the thing that struck me the most as I was leaving that small country was the people and not just Irish people but the people specifically I was with. I will always remember this adventure not because of; driving on the wrong side of the road, or being given a glass of jameson to drink the morning of the wedding, or  going on a photo shoot with the wedding couple but also having seven other people along just for the ride. It is the people that I will remember and hold onto through all of these memories. It was Justin’s (the grooms) dad who made me drink a Shot of Jameson (a shot = a full glass), and it was Katies Mom who welcomed me in like I was her own.  Why is this significant?

I had this mini revelation that I believe I had many times while I was living in China. As I was getting ready for the Trip I was thinking about how this will be a great adventure to have in my back pocket, not only was I going to travel to Ireland but I was going to shoot a wedding in Ireland. So once the weekend was done and I was able to sit on the air plane and reflect I was struck with this “it is not what you do, but its who you are with.” Life is not about accomplishments it is about relationships. I makes me think about the verse in the bible which basically says “without love you have nothing, without love you are a clanging symbol.” This little revelation has helped me to become a deeper person, especially when it comes to my photographical work. I want to make the effort to love my clients, to get to know them, and have them know me. Its not about just creating, its about capturing who my clients really are in a way that takes care of the relationship with my clients.

For some kicks feel free to watch the videos linked below

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