Get Sarah to the Greek – Chris and Sarah’s Newport News, Virginia Wedding

This is one of those blog posts where I struggle with the right words to say. This wedding has a special meaning to me. The groom, Chris, was instrumental in the beginning of my love affair with photography. I started off taking photos of local bands performing, and his band was not only my favorite, the members of that band became some of my closest friends during my awkward 15th and 16th year of life, far before the ugly duckling turned into whatever version of a swan I am today. Being at this wedding, seeing so many people from that time in my life, seeing the fun spirited, adventurous, and kind adults they’ve become was really meaningful. My world is growing up around me, and me along with it. It’s exciting, and scary, and fascinating. People who I once knew as just awkward kids, like myself, are now lawyers, and teachers, and graduate students, and wedding photographers. We’re all becoming the adults we were meant to be, and it’s exciting to watch.

Sarah, I’m so glad Chris found someone like you to be an adult with.

The brideBut first, let me take a selfie.The bride takes a quick snap chat break before getting dressed by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The bride gets dressed before her wedding at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, PFAC, by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.A groomThe groom gets dress surrounded by his groomsmen by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The groom ties his bow tie before his Greek Orthodox ceremony by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The Greek flag flies at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News, Virginia.The outer facade at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News, Virginia.The bride shares one last moment with her parents before before her Greek Orthodox ceremony at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Tilt shift at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Parents look on at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The ceremony of the betrothal at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.An orthodox ceremony at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bride and groom during an Orthodox ceremony at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The bride and groom are crowned at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The crowing ceremony at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Greek Orthodox Ceremony at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.First kiss at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The new couple at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bridesmaids in coral and Groomsmen in tuxes pose for portraits at the Noland Trail by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bridesmaids in mismatched coral dresses and Groomsmen in tuxes and bow ties pose for portraits at the Noland Trail by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bridesmaids in mismatched coral dresses and Groomsmen in tuxes and bow ties pose for portraits at the Noland Trail by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.A bride poses for portraits with her bouquet of peonies, hydrangeas, and carnations at the Noland Trail by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.A moody black and white portrait of the bride and groom at the Noland Trail by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bride and groom share a kiss at the Noland Trail by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Portraits of a bride and groom at the Noland Trail by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bride and groom snuggle close at the Noland Trail by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bride and groom enter their wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Close up of a first dance at the PFAC.Bride and groom share a first dance at their wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.A couple dances with amber uplighting at a PFAC Peninsula Fine Arts Center Wedding.Nighttime exterior shot of the PFACGuests enjoy cocktails outside at a PFAC Peninsula Fine Arts Center Wedding in Newport News Virginia.Celebratory wedding cigars are smoked by the best man and father of the groom.The sister of the bride toasts at a wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bride and groom share a laugh at a wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Champagne toasts at a wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Best man toast at PFAC.A best man toast is a good time for a selfie at a wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The bride and groom laugh at a wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Guests laugh at a wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Guests laugh at a wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Cheers to the couple at a wedding reception at PFAC, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The bride raises her glass at the PFAC.More selfless and and dancing at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The bride dances with the father of the groom at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Groomsmen sing and dance at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Bridesmaids dance the wobble at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The groom is lifted by the groomsmen at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.The bride wipes away a little sweat with a one dollar bill at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Greek line dancing at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Greek line dancing at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.Greek line dancing at a PFAC wedding reception by Virginia Wedding Photographer, Heather Jowett.

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Elissa - This wedding is gorgeous, Heather! I love how thoughtful each frame is. It’s been awesome seeing your style come through over the years… Also, I love the whole feel of this wedding. So joyful, and so much love!!

Kat Forsyth - Super fun! I love the whole thing. It just feels like a great day!

small - Love that beautiful church and your ceremony coverage is fab!

Caitlin McWeeney - Lovely work as always Heather. You got some really interesting shots- it’s nice to see a few break out of the typical shot box.

Sachin Khona - Always a big fan of your work Heather! Love this! X

caroline - so many beautiful photos heather! i SERIOUSLY am digging this one: http://heatherjowett.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sarah.chris_.blog027.jpg

Caryn Canatella - All of these are so awesome, but there is something about that last black and white dancing photo!! So great!

Christian - That’s such a cool connection with the couple, and it shows in the photos. Amazing job, I’m sure none of the Lawyers and Teachers are owning their craft like this. :)

Oh…also, this frame: http://heatherjowett.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sarah.chris_.blog027.jpg

Jakob - Great work, Heather. :)

damian burcher - Stunning coverage. Love the first black and white of the couple portraits.

Petar - amazing day and you did a such great work Heather! ;)

Matt - Stunning work Heather. So great that you got to photograph the wedding of someone who means so much to you.

Rachelle - What a beautiful day! I especially love the bridal party photos out in the woods – swoon!

Marianne - Gorgeous shot of the bride and her parents heading down the aisle! You really told the story of the ceremony with your photos!

Joe - Great shots of the bridal party! They look super fun, they did a selfie..how could they not be!

Adonye Jaja - very classy and very beautifully photographed

Let’s Go On a Field Trip

Last Month, I went to California for a week to hang out in the hills of Santa Barbara at a campground with 300 other photographers and creatives. As often happens when I’m around amazing people I love, I failed to even pick up my camera most of the time I was there. I love what I do, I love photography, but I place a higher value on being present with the people around me, which is hard to do through the glass of a viewfinder.

On my last day there, I did manage to walk to the ocean and put one roll of Portra 400 through my Rolleiflex. Here are some of the resulting images.

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lindsey - oh those tones.. nothing is comparable. nothing.

Sachin Khona - Lovely images Heather J!

Lauren and Jeff’s Comerica Park Engagement Session

It’s a big day in Detroit, Opening Day for the Tigers. For those of you who aren’t lucky enough to call yourselves Michiganders, imagine Fourth of July, the first day of Spring, and Halloween all rolled into one and then covered in tiger stripes. Coming from a state with no national sports teams, it took me a few years to acclimate to living in a state where sports were not only a part of life, but an obsession for some. Now, after almost 9 years in the state, I yell “Eat em up Tigers!” with the rest of them.

Lauren and Jeff are two people for whom Tigers baseball is an obsession. They’re season ticket holders, their apartment was in the shadow of Comerica Park, and I can tell you in the days leading up to Opening Day, Lauren’s Facebook has exclusively been devoted to her excitement for the start of the season. Well, since that day is upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to share their engagement session from last September, which we photographed right inside of Tiger Stadium, with the entire place to ourselves.

Happy Opening Day Lauren and Jeff!

A couple poses for an engagement photo with Comerica Park and the Detroit Skyline in the background.A couple poses for an engagement photo with Comerica Park and the Detroit Skyline in the background.A couple poses for an engagement photo in the dugout at Comerica Park.Tigers Baseball fan couple poses for an engagement photo in the dugout at Comerica Park.Tigers Baseball fan couple poses for an engagement photo in the tunnel at Comerica Park.A couple enjoying the view of the field during their engagement session at Comerica Park.A couple posing in the empty seats during their engagement session at Comerica Park.A couple posing in the press box during their engagement session at Comerica Park.A couple posing in the press box during their engagement session at Comerica Park.A couple posing with the empty stadium and field during their Tigers Baseball themed engagement session at Comerica Park.A couple posing with the empty stadium and field during their Tigers Baseball themed engagement session at Comerica Park.A couple posing with the empty stadium and field during their Tigers Baseball themed engagement session at Comerica Park.A couple posing in their season ticket seats during their Tigers Baseball themed engagement session at Comerica Park.Lauren and Jeffs Season ticket seats during their Tigers Baseball themed engagement session at Comerica Park.

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Heather E - Oh Heather J, I’m sort of in love with these. So freaking good. One of my favorite sessions by you.

Thomas Steibl - Oh I love these images in the stadium. Such a great idea. Well done!

damian burcher - Great shoot. Like the way you don’t always focus on the obvious thing, very creative.

Johanna - LOVE this! As always, your photos are beautiful and I love how the personalities and love for baseball comes through in this session :)

Mary Sylvia - Love the shot through the link fence <3

Brian - Awesome session. Love the baseball stadium. That shot through the fence is so money.

Bryan - Love that black and white of them in the tunnel.

Justin R - Love the black and white shots here, awesome job!

Brittany - Ah that moody third black and white. So much love. What a lovely couple and you absolutely killed this session Heather :)

John Bello - The black and whites – unreal!!

dan - You did a great job on these, even the shot of empty seats is awesome. That tunnel shot though…so good.

Tim Kamppinen - Beautiful! That shot through the chain links is so awesome, and I love the B&W with the field in the background.

Nikole - I just love the relaxed factor of this whole session – it’s what really really good engagement photos should have – a beautiful comfort in them. Well done.

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