Something I took for granted growing up in New York City was how special this place is for so many who don't live here. To me, it's always, more or less, just been home, but lately I've never felt more grateful to be raised here than after having the opportunity to work with so many clients from across the States and abroad.
Hearing client stories of what New York means to them, showing them my favorite places and watching (through my lens) as they take in the city is an incredible honor, so when Jan and Trine from Norway asked me to photograph their wedding - I was overjoyed! Traveling from abroad to marry here, and I get to document it? Sign me up!
Trine and Jan planned an intimate micro wedding with their kids. True to their culture, they married at the Norwegian Seamen's Church in a peaceful ceremony conducted all in Norwegian. (Yes, you read that right - I photographed an entire wedding without knowing any of the language!)
After the ceremony, we took photos on the rooftop and made our way back down to the church where a beautiful table was set up for tea, coffee and some traditional sweets. From there we headed to Central Park for portraits and - true to NYC weather - it began to downpour! We huddled under the scaffold at the Plaza and as the rain started to subside, we enjoyed an afternoon taking pictures in a fairly isolated Central Park (thank you, weather gods!). By the end of the day, I felt so fully immersed in this family and joined them for dinner where we entertained ourselves with word games and mind puzzles - something they often do together!
The real treat came two weeks later, when Trine and Jan had finished honeymooning around the country. As they returned to NYC to fly home, they requested a last meetup - joining me in Brooklyn for ice cream and dinner. It was a surreal moment for me - realizing how this little business of mine has led to some of the most beautiful friendships that continue on to this day. I am immensely grateful!
