Sunday, April 12, 2009

Marina Village in San Diego: Carissa and Jackie

Hello everyone and Happy Monday!

It is I...Gavin. I've hence returned from my brief blogging sabbatical after a wonderfully relaxing Easter weekend with Erin and my family. Earlier today, Erin and I were sitting in the same stadium we once sat a year ago, then brand new in our relationship with only the sky to limit our possibilities and adventures. Never in our wildest dreams would we have imagined to be here today doing what we love and working with such amazing couples; couples who never cease to inspire and further intensify our passion for photography!

It sometimes takes landmark moments in life to truly make you pause and take stock of all that has happened doesn't it? Have you ever gotten that feeling before? It's like going back and visiting your old middle school as an adult. You find yourself standing in the same place you once stood decades before and within seconds, all of the time and living you've experienced since then, just flashes in front of you. We can't help but stand there (in a stupor, sometimes) and evaluate how life has been since then.

Today was such a day for Erin and I. Only this time once the flashback had finished, we were left with nothing but smiles on our faces and a prayer of thanksgiving on our lips. Thankful for this day and what it means in the lives of Christians around the world, and thankful for the place that we are in with one another and what we've chosen to do with our lives.

I couldn't help but be reminded of this last weekend. While Erin was shooting at the Ponte Family Winery last Saturday, I was on the coast in beautiful San Diego for Carissa and Jackie's wedding! And wow, what a couple they were. Their story is truly inspiring as they had overcome so much to just arrive and what was such a gorgeous and Spirit-filled day. I was hanging with Jackie (i.e. Jack Jr) and the guys most of the day and we connected right away. Jackie is such an awesome and laid back guy; we connected right away and bonded over the fact that his and Carissa's son was named Gavin also! We had such a great time and come the end of the night, I was so bummed to leave!

I had the pleasure of shooting with Maria Longhi, a wonderful and outgoing photographer who I met at WPPI this year through Mike and Julie Colon. She was kind enough to invite me to join her on this day and gave me full creative liberties to follow the guys around, get some details, and capture the day. She was truly a joy to work with and Erin and I look forward to shooting with her this upcoming weekend!

Carissa and Jackie both got ready at the Dana Inn in Mission Bay and were married and danced the night away at the Marina Village just across the street! It was so hard to narrow down what images I wanted to post tonight, but I hope that you will enjoy! May God bless you Carissa, Jackie, and Gavster :)

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6 comments:

Lauren di Matteo said...

Looking good guys! I'm Impressed! :-) Keep up the hard work!

Jessica Hanaumi said...

Your work is amazing!

Kenny said...

Loving the photos man, especially the last one. Great job!

Gavin and Erin said...

Hey guys! Thank you SO much for checking out this wedding. Your words of encouragement mean so much to us; thanks for leaving a comment!! Keep on being awesome :)

Henry said...

Sweet! Totally digging all your black and white shots Gavin. Last one is so powerful!

Erin Melenbacker said...

wow guys! Love love love that last photo!!!