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Welcome to the Ryan Estes Photography Blog

I'm Ryan, and you'll often find me with camera in hand.  I live and work in the greater Philadelphia area providing brides, grooms, and families with cutting-edge photography.  Here you'll find the latest images, news, and bits of this and that from Ryan Estes Photography.  Come back often -- there's a lot happening, both in my life and in those of my clients.

What sort of images can you expect to see?  That's a difficult question to answer... photojournalism + fashion, portraiture + landscape, documentary + candid... real people on the most important day of their lives, and genuine emotions shining through.

One thing is clear: these aren't your grandmother's wedding pictures.  (No offense to your grandmother, of course...)

Last one of the year

Monday, December 29, 2008 Posted in Weddings

On Saturday I shot the final wedding of 2008, and it was a great way to top off the year. I am headed out of town with my family for a few days but want to post just this one before I leave. Yes, I know I need to blog a couple other weddings as well, and my apologies to those brides who are waiting to see their photos in this space (you know who you are!)… I had hoped to get to it last week, but a little thing called “Christmas” got in the way! Thank you for your patience — I promise it’s the first thing on my to-do list when I get back on Thursday!

Anyway, Saturday was full of great moments, but I especially love this one. When I first met with Christie & Eric, they were quite against the idea of seeing each other before the ceremony. Eric, in particular, wanted that moment when he would see Christie walk down the aisle for the first time.

Long story short, in the months leading up to the wedding as we looked at the timeline of the wedding day, it became clear that the only way to get the types of photos that Eric & Christie wanted, outdoors, was for them to see each other beforehand, and so they agreed. We set up a first meeting, when they would see each other for their first time on their wedding day in private. It was perhaps the most emotional moment of the day, as they took time to speak with each other, hold each other, and savor what was about to come. Later on at the reception, Eric said it was “out of this world,” and said he was so glad they chose to do things this way. So am I. :)

The image below was taken seconds after Eric turned around to see Christie… and she took his breath away.


by Ryan

6 comments

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December 30, 2008 - 8:14 pm kevin high - Great capture, Ryan! I wish there'd be more couples that would be willing to see each other before the ceremony. I know it's breaking a huge tradition (w'superstitions included!!), but I REALLY like the idea of having that moment that he first sees her being a private one. I'd be interested in seeing you post a more detailed response from your couple ... if it'd be something you/they would take the time and be willing to do! Hope you had a great Christmas - let's catch up soon.

December 31, 2008 - 4:05 pm Joe Pulcinella - Nice. Yeah, I wish they could all be like that.

January 2, 2009 - 10:26 am Eric (the groom) - Ryan, this is a great shot. It really captures the emotion of the momment. Like I told Christie that night, I was really skeptical when you first introduced the idea of a "first meet" as a way for us to have both outdoor, daylight pics & a candlelight ceremony @ sunset. I am a hopeless romantic at heart & always dreamed of seeing my bride standing at the back of the church & walking down the aisle to me on our big day. After thinking it over for a few weeks, I realized that the pics of the day were more important to me/us, plus I would still have that moment of her walking down the aisle. Having the "first meet" added to the anticipation & excitement of the day. It gave her & I a chance to just be in the moment together, hold each other & let the emotions of the day takeover. A moment that we would not have been able to share in front of our guests at the church. In hindsight, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I want to thank you again for the suggestion. You did a great job setting it up & keeping it private. It was an incredible moment that I will always remember. Thanks again. You rock.

January 2, 2009 - 11:31 am Ryan - Eric - thank you for your words here! I know it was a tough sell to do the first meet before the ceremony, but I was so glad to hear that you thought it was worth it! Your & Christie's wedding was a blast... can't wait to get you the rest of your images!

January 15, 2009 - 5:52 pm Christie & Eric at Phoenixville Country Club » Ryan Estes Photography Blog - [...] Last one of the year [...]

January 16, 2009 - 7:22 am Christie & Eric at Phoenixville Country Club » Modern Photographers blog - [...] Valley, and then danced the night away at Phoenixville Country Club. I’ve already posted one image from Christie & Eric’s first glance, but now that I’ve finished editing the rest [...]

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