Trystan Photography: An Intimate Portrait.

Please click the photo or the link to view Jessica and Keith’s wedding at Hillside Gardens.

“I thought Keith was really hot…”

Not exactly what I was expecting to hear from the Maid of Honor ( and the bride’s sister!) during her toast, but it was a very attention-grabbing way to begin the tale of how Jessica and Keith’s romance began. Soon a seemingly tawdry tale of sibling rivalry for the sweet attentions of a young volleyball coach (and fellow co-worker) quickly revealed itself as a wonderfully lighthearted and loving take on on the story of Jessica and Keith.

You don’t see many marriages started with tales of women fawning over the groom… lucky guy. (I have to admit, even Char was a little ga-ga. That’s just great. Thanks Keith.)

And it’s not that Jessica is a slouch by comparison; not by any means! It’s just that none of Keith’s groomsmen divulged any past attractions. Hmmmm, must be a girl thing…

But all humor aside (for a moment), this was our first wedding at Hillside Gardens, and Jessica and Keith couldn’t have planned a more relaxed, laid back, festive affair. I mean, let’s be honest here: the groom got to wear a cool linen suit, no tie, and sandals on a very muggy summer evening (don’t let the clouds fool you, it was warm). How smart is that? I highly applaud bucking tradition for common sense in all situations, but especially when it comes to attire. I have seen (and heard) so many groomsmen bemoaning their hot uncomfortable tuxes, and choking ties. And that’s how I know Jessica is going to be a wonderful wife: she didn’t force her man to be uncomfortable on their wedding day!

Their ceremony was purposefully late in the evening which left us little light to play with in the twilight that quickly closed in after the ceremony. But what an amazing opportunity to play with the romance of twilight! I really love the photos of them dipping, where she’s looking off camera and smiling beautifully, and also the kissing shots in the ceremony pews with the torchlight behind. We rarely have opportunities to photograph at twilight like those (we’re normally well into dinner at that point), and it’s so much fun (and a great challenge) to capture images in that light.

The one true drawback to photographs at twilight is the shocking speed at which the light slips away and fades to black night. So we had to work fast, and we always worry that the couple will feel rushed, but Jessica and Keith just swooped right along with us from spot to spot, beaming with joy and love, and gave us images that I’m really excited about.

A wonderful wedding, a beautiful new venue for us, a gorgeous and authentically in love couple…

I love my job.