Like snowflakes, no two brides are the same. With rare exception, all brides have a certain charm. As a photographer it’s my job to be taken in by that charm, experience it, and then capture it in still frames. Sometimes it’s easy; for example when a bride is breathtakingly beautiful and everyone just changes in her presence. Many years ago I photographed one young woman who was a tomboy in real life, but who when coiffed, made up, and in a wedding dress was so truly stunning that people were literally speechless when they first saw her. The groom, upon seeing her, looked afraid, like he didn’t realize that he was about to marry such an extraordinary beauty and wasn’t sure he was up to the job. Other brides are just so happy that their joy infects everyone around. I have a great job.

Once in a while, the job isn’t so cut and dried. Not that it’s ever difficult, but sometimes you get a curve ball and you have to pay attention where you’re swinging. Robin was one of those brides. As you will see from these photos she’s something wonderful to look at, but her charm wasn’t just her appearance. She was a happy bride too, when joy was appropriate. But it took me a few hours to really understand who Robin was and really get it in the camera. Robin is FUN. She’s the woman who, to use the cliché, can light up a room. She’s that girl in college all the guys loved and tried to figure out how to ask out. Pretty but not breakable, elegant but sometimes goofy, she can drink a beer from the bottle and make it look graceful.

Now us guys, back in college, wanted to think that a woman like Robin would end up with a loser and regret she didn’t run off into the sunset with us. It turns out she doesn’t. She ends up with a guy like Rob. It may be just me, but I think Rob looks more than a little like actor Josh Charles. And he’s just as fun as Robin. As the groomsmen tell it, Robin fell for him when she saw his three-point stance.

It looks in the photos like they are actors, or professional models posing, but this is just how they move together. Robin is naturally graceful. When I have captured her correctly the photos just flow. The State Hospital was Robin’s idea, as was jumping the “do not cross” fence to get the photos on the stairs. Not to get too technical, but I take lots of photos of people kissing (hey, it’s my job) but in this photo look at their hands. The way Robin has her hand on Rob’s neck is real. It’s personal and intimate. Other couples take note: This is a kiss.

So Robin and Rob’s wedding was an easy day for me, but it was also a challenging day. The challenge was not getting wrapped up in their good looks, and not having so much fun myself (and I did) that I forget to do the work of finding the images. It’s a nice challenge to have. Did I already say that I have a great job?