Bride & Groom

We do not remember days; we remember moments.  ~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

The minute I received my pictures from Chris Van Atta I couldn’t look at them fast enough…and when I did, oh the tears. The good ones of course. The kind of tears you get because you’re looking at a moment and feeling that exact same precious emotion that you were experiencing when the photograph was taken. The kind of moment that makes you feel your great grand children will look at the same photo and they will pause and think, “Wow. Look how in love they are.”

Our engagement session, with my very photo reluctant fiancé, Joseph, was on a cold windy February day. He was dreading it. I however, knew he was in for a pleasant surprise with Chris and couldn’t wait for them to meet.

Just as I expected, Chris’ easygoing, unassuming manner put Joseph right at ease (I assure you this is no easy task) and in minutes Chris Van Atta Photography  was snapping away and we didn’t have a care in the world. The hours flew by as we talked and laughed, almost like three very old friends. Because that is how Chris makes you feel, and that, I think, is his secret to taking beautiful photographs. You don’t feel like “subjects” you just feel like being yourselves, and that is what I wanted to see captured; us.

We forgot about how cold we were, and the wind that was fiercely whipping us into submission soon became a subject of humor which made for such wonderful pictures. Chris worked with the obstacles at hand as if they were God’s natural props and not interferences.

When I look at my photos each one makes me feel exactly the same as I did when they were taken; happy, laughing, cutting up and having fun…being in love. It is an “experience”, not so much a “session” when working with Chris.  I quickly made some of my favorite pictures into a “save the date” collage card and I cannot tell you how many people have raved about them! I’ve even had people ask for extra cards because they wanted to send them to people they knew who were looking for a photographer!

I could go on and on about how perfect my pictures are, how phenomenally talented Chris’ eye for beauty is, but I feel I should leave some words left for when Chris photographs our actual wedding. Although I have a feeling I’m going to be speechless. In the best way, of course.

Yours Truly,

Patricia Perry