Christmas Weddings

I've been thinking about what I'd like to say about Christmas and the thought came to me that I'd really just like to skip it. Make like everyone is too busy this time of year, no one will read this post and I won't have to be witty about a holiday that I'm not so keen on anyway. Bah humbug, right? Ok. I admit it. I'm a halloween baby, so Christmas is an after thought to me!

So then I got to wondering, what positive things can I say about this holiday that everyone seems to cherish so much? I needed to think about what Christmas means to me, 'cuz I don't have the same take as other people, I think. So what did I do? I cleaned the house. And joy of joy, my husband just picked up a mop and cleaned right along with me! "Ha" I thought. Now THAT'S what my Christmas is about.

Love.

And it really comes in all kinds of packages. This morning I was remembering some of my favorite teachers. You know the ones. The ones that made a difference. One of those for me was Mr. Hunt at Upton Junior High, St. Joseph, Michigan. He was my english teacher. I remember he hollered at me one day because I was scribbling away in a note book when I was supposed to be listening to some boring lecture on grammar. I was a bit embarrassed, not at being hollered at in front of the whole class, but for my excuse for not listening. (Actually, I've always been a good multi-tasker and in fact WAS listening!) So when Mr. Hunt asked me what was so important that I should be writing away instead of listening, I, uh, told the truth. I told him I was copying a poem I really liked from a book. He paused, probably a bit stunned, then smiled from ear to ear! "Carry on, Ms. Stone. Carry on." And so I did.

I'll never forget Mr. Hunt. He gave me a love for literature, for poetry, for language. Later, I had a lit teacher called Mr. Driscoll at Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan, where I went to High School. I think most of the girls at school were head over heels for him. I guess I might have been a little bit too, but I found a boy that year that was my own age. That made more sense to me than some silly crush on a teacher who seemed happily married anyway. Mr. Driscoll, did, however, keep the fire in my heart for literature alive. Like Mr. Hunt, I'd like to thank them for that.

So what's all this got to do with Christmas? Well, when I think of these people who made such a difference in my life, I think of how great I've got it. I figure I got it so great because these people shared a passion with me. They shared their love of literature. And it made a difference. It made a difference to ME. It made me a better person and it made me want to do something similar for others.

Christmas is, if nothing else, a time to be grateful for loved ones- past and present- and celebrate the love we have to share. As far as photography goes, some can look at it like- UGH! I don't want to work over the holidays and the light is so, well, not there much! Personally, I choose to look at like this: Heck, I think it's a great time of year to share love. That makes it a great time of year to get married. It also means you may not need to spend so much on flowers because most venues decorate for the holidays anyway! Bonus!

So here's a couple of my favorite Christmas wedding images. I've got a great one coming up too. I'm so excited because we're going to have loads of those "bonus" decorations in Dunster Village, Somerset, UK. It's a medieval village. It's gonna be so cool. But mostly it's gonna be cool because the couple are in love. They're excited and their happy. So whether I believe in Santa or not, even if I'm not over the moon about the day itself, I do embrace the spirit. And I'm open for a Christmas wedding 2011!

Essex Baby Bump Photography

This post is a long time coming and apologies to those who waited so long! See, I'm an American in England. Of course, England doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving- I mean, why would they? Although this American holiday is lost on a few Brits, I think many WOULD  like to have a similar holiday. But I digress so quickly. This is all leading up to my excuse as to why it took so long to blog this Baby Bump session. According to my excellent record keeping, I shot this the second week in October. So really, I have no excuses! There, now on to the shoot.

Cory is another American in England. Only she's now in Scotland and soon to go back to America. I met her when a coworker of my husband's brought her out to England for a week. She was young and very pretty, so naturally, I didn't really like her much at first. Hehe. Just kidding! We were at a mutual friend's house and Robert and I were outside chatting. I asked him about this girl he brought over and what was the scoop. Yeh, I know. Sounds like his mom, right? But being the perfect gentleman that he is, he voiced his opinions on the subject in a diplomatic way. I was like, whatever. YOU SHOULD MARRY HER! I mean, she wasn't going back to America to just hang out and wait. I guess he gave that advice some thought, 'cuz he married her. That was great for me, 'cuz I got a new friend with the deal. She's a great friend and I have been privileged to document many special moments in their lives. The most recent, of course, being Cory's first pregnancy. And WOW! it's a doozy. I never seen a 5'3" women with such a protrusion!

Cory, her husband Robert, Lily the Wonder Dog and little Miss Amelia are moving back to the good 'ole USA in January. They will be much missed. Here's a taste of what a Baby Bump photo session can bring. (And yes, I always get permission before sharing images.)

Faith Stone Photography can make collages like this into beautiful Essex Baby Bump wall art as framed prints, canvases or acrylics. Contact us for details.