I first met Luke in the summer of 2017 in Sedgwick Maine at a family photo shoot his grandfather hired me to photograph. Grandfather's don't typically hire me, so that makes it particularly unique and special intro to how I came about photographing a wonderfully special wedding that is definitely not the norm. Following in his grandfather's footsteps for being different, Luke was fairly active in planning the wedding. As his mom Martha shared with me, he had a deep level in investment for details and timeliness of the day! Which makes sense for how I first saw Luke on his wedding day. After journeying from Freeport that morning, I walked in and Luke was dressed and ready to go for the first look. Awesome. We jumped in my VW which Luke shared an appreciation for a stick shift, I said it must be a Maine thing. Nina followed behind with her sister Adrian, whose car so clean I mistook it for a rental! Luke and I went out onto the docks for the First Look a spot Luke had chosen, and it was a bit chilly, BUT for LOVE, we will all be a bit uncomfortable. On our way back to the house, I passed a nicely dressed young man walking down the road and I thought he must be going to the wedding, but where did he come from? In Sedgwick, there are no hotels, motels and this particular road is rather secluded. Well, sure enough, this young man was not only going to the wedding but he was the minister/ officiant and best friend of the groom, Omari. I really should have slowed down and offered him a ride like I thought to, but was lead foot on the gas. Omari delivered a captivating ceremony and certainly would become successful in being a wedding officiant should he ever need a side job.
After the family photos and ceremony, Nina Luke and I traveled in Adrian's like-new clean car, to one of Maine's most prized views, one I had been to before but not known the name of, Caterpillar Hill in Sedgwick, Maine. If you have not been you must take a detour from Rt. 3 and go to Caterpillar Hill. It is the stuff glorious paintings are made of. Nina and I bonded on Caterpillar Hill when I shared that the last time I had been there was the winter of 2016 when I took pictures of my beloved pug Charlie who has since gone onto glory. Nina and her sister had a pug growing up and knew exactly the kind of love I was talking about. On that hill looking out over many harbors in Maine, we took many photos. The sun came out, I dodged cars and Adrian held reflectors and flashes like a superstar and I got what I think should be the next cover of Real Maine Wedding Magazine!
Onto the reception. This is where I realized unlike many wedding I photograph this wedding is predominantly made up of young people who are Luke and Nina's friends, awesome! The speeches were terrific and the dance music was by the far the best I had heard. Speaking of side jobs if Luke was so inclined he would make a great wedding DJ. I stayed a little longer than planned just to watch the dancing, the pockets of four different dance groups on the floor, all having a blast. I was tempted to dance but a) there was no room on the dance floor and b) unless personally invited by the bride and groom I just don't feel comfortable doing so. I had to Shazam a few songs I didn't know because it was that good.
Here is a little preview of images for you.