"He doesn't call the qualified"- Kerns Wedding
“He doesn’t call the qualified,
He qualifies the called.”
I tried to remember this as I shot my first wedding.
There were times my camera wouldn’t work (due operator error, no doubt).
There were times when I knew the shutter and the aperture were off but didn’t know how to fix them quickly enough.
There were times when I should have lead more.
It took showing up to learn these things though and it was an incredible experience to participate in.
I arrived at about 6:15 am to get my bearings and enjoy the quiet of the morning. I knew that this day had been coming for months, but it was finally here and I was still in a state of shock. When requested for a project I’m not sure I can nail, I refer it to someone who can. That was exactly what I did here, but the bride, Kimberlee, persisted. I would be lying to say I wasn’t intrigued by a wedding at the Pete French Round Barn and honored to be asked. Besides, Kimberlee didn’t want “typical” wedding photos and mainstream isn’t really my thing.
A pair and a bull grazing just outside the fence on Barton Lake seemed to be a perfect addition to the day. A beautiful sunrise was emerging over the east side of the Steens, making the promise of a special morning. I spoke with the mother of the groom, Mary Kerns. She was the first person I met from the group, even before Kimberlee. Her kindness and warmth was replicated in each person I met.
Sunrise over the Steens Mountains, south Harney County, Oregon.
Father of the bride and groom share coffee and conversation, waiting for the rest of the wedding party to arrive. I found out the families had been acquainted for a long time, proven by the love and laughter present.
The bride's mother is escorted around the barn for the ceremony to begin!
Everyone knew each other, even the officiant! He is their uncle and it was special to see the bond they all shared.
Mr. and Mrs. Kerns!
Branded in Ink wishes this couple all the love and happiness to be had in this new chapter as man and wife!
After the ceremony, I was invited back to home of the grooms' parents with the rest of the wedding party. Mary had fixed a wonderful breakfast, which we ate surrounded by art and books, family and fond memories.
