Last June, about a year ago, Joy and I found ourselves driving across the mid-west with uber-talented photographers Steve Bebb and Tina Wilson. I was driving and Steve was in the passenger seat. Joy and Tina were in the back seat chattering about something (anyone who has spent any time with Tina knows that there's never a shortage of laughter when she's around). Unfortunately Steve's wife Jen was at home with the kids.

As we were driving I asked Steve how the American Photo top 10 wedding photographers in the world designation had effected them. It was still new news at the time and had just been announced a few months prior. The comment he made that afternoon has stuck with me and challenged me ever since. He said, we've been photographing weddings now for 8-9 years and now suddenly I feel like I'm starting all over again. Every week I push myself and I can't remember ever being so excited about the images we are creating.

WOW! I can't tell you how many times over the past year I've considered Steve's comments. As photographers we work hard to balance our business and our art, and indeed it's a fine line that we walk. Yes, we have a business to run and it's important to not be a "starving artist." But if it's the "art" that pulled us into this in the first place, we owe it to ourselves to push and grow and expand and cultivate each time we shoot.

Now Joy and I have never been named Top 10 anything (except maybe Top 10 Guacamole-makers behind Jim and Melissa Cook and Brandy J and Sticky Rammel), but over the past couple months we've really pushed ourselves to look at each wedding as if it were our only wedding of 2008. How differently would we photograph if we knew we had just one wedding to create enough powerful images to hold US over for 12 months?

Or does that even matter? Do the images that we create excite us? They should.

So with that, a little self indulgence. And thanks, Steve, for the simple challenge that you didn't even realize you gave me.

Beautiful moments from Heather and Todd's wedding in Atlanta







Marissa and Matt in Princeton NJ and NYC










Tracey and Pete in Interlaken, Switzerland







Christina and Albert in Chattanooga









Brittany and Sam's bridals in Orlando






Finally, I'll end with an image that's non-wedding related, but one of my favorites in a while: Graycen's 3rd Birthday


Oh, to be a child again. Keep dreaming. Keep reaching.

well said.

stunning images, garrett. sincerely.
stunning.

+1!!

Great photos Garrett, and thanks for the post.

This is the kind of kick-in-the-butt epiphany that we all need to have at various points in our careers and lives in general. I recently had a similar moment when hearing the emotional reactions of a mother who's baby I had just photographed. Thanks for the challenge.

Thank you, Garrett. Need to print that, laminate it, and read it the night before and the morning of every shoot.

These are fantastic words to live by, and wonderful photos to support them.

Fantastic photos, & great words to live by.

Since I do not shoot weddings, the last pic of G is adorable!

Beautiful as always!! And a great post.

I really needed to hear this today. Thanks, Garrett.

SHOW OFF!!!

(just kidding Garrett! )

Great. Work. As. Always.


~ Dan (top 10 photographer father... )

Thanks for this Garrett.

You and Joy have given me A LOT to think about this year.

Beautiful images, and I love what you had to say. Very inspiring, thank you.

Thank you Bud for the inspiration! It is much appreciated as always!

Wow, I knew you were a writer and then a photographer, but Dude you sure can write still.

A great photographer, and a great writer!

More importantly though, a great friend, father, and husband. We are all lucky to have you in our lives.

Many blessings to you and your wonderful family.

Oh, and as always....
I miss the shit out of you guys, it has been way too long!

Happy Belated Birthday Joy

Um...i have to agree with Fraunk! (Hi Fraunky!)

Almost two years ago I was going through some stuff and there I was sitting on the Holritz's dining room floor next to Joy, G$, and Timco just boo hoo'ing myself to pieces about life/business/etc. You and Joy helped pick me back up and help me feel that hunger again.

Garrett...I'm so glad that you and Joy are in our lives..seriously. Having known you for almost three years now has been such a blessing. You definitely are in MY top 10. Top ten in eating the most ketchup, making the best guacamole, and also making that bean dip during Mike Colon's chimichanga night.

I LUB YOU BOTH!

great. great. great post.

and beeeaaaauuuutiful images!

....and this garrett, this is why you are my white father.

I dont think I need to say anything else

OMG....lol

I just lost a few calories from laughing my tush off!

Speaking of thread-jacking...

KK -- did you hear that Liana just got engaged? Don't tell anyone else, okay?

Yeah right...I'm not gonna fall for Bananas getting engaged again!

OMG...I'm calling her tomorrow! I always thought Liana was like Samantha on Sex and the City...without the sex ofcourse. This must be quite a man to sweep her of her independent feet!

LIANA! DON'T THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY! WE SHOOT WEDDINGS HUNNIE...NOT HAVE THEM!


I'm just kidding. I will call her to confirm this! Wow...I can't believe I had to find out through Garrett's rare posts! lol.

Hey..this is fun staying up, not getting any work done, and posting on OSP just like the old days!

I promise I wont' tell anyone Dan.

Sorry we threadjacked G.

katherine go to bed or eat some curry or something lol!

Hey thanks, everyone! Y'all know I'm big on being inspired. And finding clients who share your vision and make it easier to create images that are exciting....that's what it's all about!




Liana got engaged??!?!?!?! That's TOTALLY worth a thread-jack!!!! ROTFLOL re Liana being like Samantha without the sex! That's absolutely hilarious!

Finally, Timco, you know how I feel about you. LOL! I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when you call me your white father. Somehow that sounds better than me calling you my black child. Oops!!!! Love ya, man, er, mon, whatever. Respek!

WOW!!!! [picking up jaw off of the floor] WOW!!!

You have been holding out on us OSP'ers! (where is that spanking icon)

I think I am gonna spend a few hours this morning just looking at these!