I wanted to do a “best of” post to bring in the New Year. I’ve got all my favorites in the portfolio section of the site, so for more, look there.  For now, here is my personal favorite shot from EACH wedding I did this year.  I’m also including a brief explanation of why I love each one, because usually my favorites are TOTALLY different than everyone else’s, and I always think it’s neat to see why the photographer likes certain shots so much.   I’ll do a similar post for portraits later on.

CLICK ON “READ MORE” TO SEE THE PHOTOS!!!

These are in random order!

#1 – Ali and Aleena

If I was choosing my top wedding image of the whole year, I think this would be it.  I love the soft colors and the simplicity of the moment.  Aleena had her mom and her closest family members with her as she dressed for her wedding.  When I took this shot, she was looking at her aunt’s ring.  I love how delicate her fingers look and how you can see the beautiful Henna from the Mendhi the night before, and the touch is so soft that there’s a sense of  a “moment” taking place.   I don’t know if this image means anything to other people or not, but it’s one of the most poignant photos for me.

#2 – Caleb and Rhiannon

When I first decided to try wedding photography, I put an ad out on CraigsList so I could get some portfolio experience.  Rhiannon was one of the first to respond, and I’m so glad I got to know her and her family this year.  Every couple is different, and Rhiannon and Caleb are just supernaturally sweet and considerate.  Anyway, I don’t always get to catch the bride or groom crying during the ceremony – mostly because it’s hard to get the right angle and the right moment – but this time I did.  I love seeing how happy Rhiannon was to be marrying Caleb.  I also love the framing here (between the groomsmen) and how blue her eyes look.

#3 – Carla and Darius -

Carla and Darius’ wedding was my very first one as a primary photographer (I had second shot one time before), so I’m giving them 2 shots in the list.  I will always be grateful to them (and to Aleena and Rhiannon) for taking a chance on hiring me with next to nothing in my portfolio.

I like this first shot partly just because it’s of the groom.  I don’t always get to spend a lot of time with the groom before the wedding, and this time I got a groom preparation shot that I really love.  The colors and shadows just pop really nicely in this one.  And for the record, he really was putting on his cufflinks, so it’s not fake.

This second shot is one I always try to take: the bride in the mirror.  I love how this particular version turned out because of Carla’s hand in the veil.  It wasn’t posed… she was actually looking in the mirror for one last check, and I stopped to photograph it.  Her fingers are the first thing I notice, and then they lead me straight to her eyes in the mirror.  Those eyes look so serious.  It’s like it’s finally hitting her that she’s getting married.  I don’t know if that’s what Carla was really feeling, but that’s what I feel when I look at this shot.

#4 – Doug and Kristin

At least once each wedding, I take a photo that I check on the LCD display and immediately want to show to everyone around.  This is one of them.  I sneaked this photo in during the formal shots and thought it was so cute and funny.   And something really neat: her eyes are not photoshopped at all.  They really did match the ribbon.

Oh, what the heck!  Here’s another.   I really love the passion in this one… something about Doug’s hand on her face and the way she’s holding her flowers just so:

#5 – Brian and Sarah

This was one that was really hard to choose.  Sarah and Brian were like super models on their wedding day.  They had so many good portraits.  (I’m using one of the two of them on my brochure.)  I picked this one as my most memorable because I just love the candidness of it, and love the way the light bounces off Sarah’s cheekbones, and love how long and pretty her eyelashes look.  This was during the reception, as she was chatting with guests.  Brian likes this shot too – when I delivered their discs, he told me it was his desktop wallpaper on his computer!

You’ll see another of my favorite photos from Brian and Sarah’s wedding when I put some photos of my new brochures up this winter!  (They need another update first.)

#6 – TJ and Kati

TJ and Kati = CUTE!  They were so much fun.  We were running out of light for their couples’ portraits after their ceremony and I was scrambling to find somewhere for them to do some seated shots.  On our way back around the church I noticed these pretty steps on the house next door.  No one was home to ask, so we snapped the photos as quickly as possible, and I went back the next day to ask the owners if we could use the files (they said yes – THANK YOU!).  I love this shot because it’s so romantic.  I call it Kati’s “Cinderella” moment.  The combination of that billowy dress and the dainty little shoes and the way she’s looking at him and the way he’s holding her… classic.  You just know they’re going to kiss any second (they did).

#7 – Dusty and Danielle

Another tough, tough choice.  This wedding was such a blast.  Danielle paid a LOT of attention to detail.  Also, they had the coolest getaway car ever (a cherry red, vintage Ford Falcon).  Anyway, I love this photo because it’s completely candid, and I see it as sort of a glimpse into the future.  There’s something really precious about the way little girls watch the bride get dressed.  They know it will be them someday.   Or else, they just think the dresses are pretty.

#8 – Brian and Gina

OK, I’m going to cheat and post a whopping THREE for theirs, but I have reasons!  Gina is a high school friend, and this was my first destination wedding, so I think I can bend the rules a little bit.

I’m including this one because most everybody loves it, including me.  And also because when I took Gina’s mom a complimentary large print of this (as a thanks for the hotel room), she cried.

This is one of my favorite photos of the whole year.  I think the fire and silhouettes are so beautiful. (Of course, it’s not the most original photo every taken: last night, as I was watching LOST reruns, I saw an identical shot of a couple by the fire… but I still love it.)  The only thing “wrong” with this photo is that it’s not the bride and groom!  By the time Gina and Brian were able to steal away for some fire portraits, the flames had died down too much to get the same effect.  I hope this couple likes it, though!

OK, so by now you know I love cute kids at weddings.   Besides watching the bride in awe, the other thing kids never fail to do at weddings is get really excited about the desserts.   I have several shots from 2009 of children staring longingly at the wedding cake or – in one case – sneaking a taste before the cutting!  I love this shot because I think the girl is precious in her dress, looking at the cake, and I love the out-of-focus cake in the foreground and I even love the colorful dress and pink pocketbook.  Somehow, when I look at this photo, I imagine it is from a wedding in the 1960s or 70s, not 2009.  (I hope that means it’s timeless!)

#9 – Pam and John -

Pam and John got married in October, and although the weather was very iffy that weekend, we were able to do all their portraits outside with the leaves.  I love this shot because of the vibrant fall colors, and also because I think Pam looks really pretty here.  That’s it.  Simple, huh?  I might use this as a giant canvas sample this spring.

#10 – Paul and Lynne -

Paul and Lynne’s wedding was originally supposed to be photographed by Jen Shubin, not Natalie Gibbs.  But, things happen.  When Jen was put on bed rest with her pregnancy, I was happy to fill in for her.  Paul and Lynne were so easy to work with, and I really enjoyed meeting both of them.  I love this photo because I think it captures such a sweet moment.  It was freezing outside and Paul was helping Lynne get into her cape before a few more portraits outside.  I think Lynne’s eyelashes look so pretty, and the black and white processing along with the wind and cape give it a very wintery feel… or at least I think so.

And that rounds out my best of 2009 weddings post.   I know everyone likes something a little different, so I’m curious to see what other photographers will select as they do their own New Year’s blog posts this week.

TOP PORTRAITS COMING SOON!  UNTIL THEN, HAPPY 2010!!!