Ali and Michael's Wedding

It's a holiday weekend and I am not supposed to be working but shhhhhhhh...I snuck into my office to post this slideshow really quickly. A few weekends ago I photographed Ali and Michael's wedding in Jekyll Island, one of many beautiful tiny islands on the southernmost part of Georgia's coast.

I watched "27 Dresses" on the plane last weekend, and in the movie, a romantic comedy about weddings, the characters say their favorite part of the wedding is looking at the groom to see his expression when the bride walks down the aisle. That has always been, hands down, my favorite moment too. When Ali confidently strode down the aisle, Michael did not disappoint. It was very clear that he felt like the luckiest guy in the world. A great moment I was so glad to capture (oooh....I love the freedom of being up close in outdoor weddings).

Ali and I have been emailing about her wedding for a little over a year and finally meeting her was such a pleasure. She was easy, gracious, kind, accommodating, and Michael was as well. Their families were equally welcoming and so sweet! Thank you all so much for having us (Lori, my Vancouver photographer buddy flew all the way over & down to shoot it with me!).

So watch and enjoy Ali and Michael's Wedding. It's jam packed with photos and takes a second to load, so be patient.

MmmmMaroma...

The Coffee Fairy never came this morning. No piping hot carafe of coffee with a mini New York Times mysteriously delivered to my porch. No Manuel to swing by my breakfast table with a pitcher of fresh-squeezed, impossibly-orange orange juice, sliced papaya and mango. No Moses to smile and wish me a "Buenos dias, Senora Patricia" and bring a basket of homemade breads and pastries. No sitting on the veranda with David overlooking the translucent azure water, breeze in my hair, wondering if it even matters what time it is when I wonder what time it is. And definitely no Serge clearing sand off our lounge bed on the beach (with a small dry paint brush to get even the smallest grains... and no, I could not make that up) and starting the endless supply of anise-tainted margaritas with a side of 'fresh as fresh gets' guacamole.

Sigh. We're baaaack!

OK, I did miss the kids a lot so it is good to be home, but we had one heck of a grown-ups only getaway to celebrate my birthday (which is now officially over, 30 days later). David and I spent the most decadent 4 days at a gorgeous and romantic resort tucked in the Mayan Riviera of Mexico. It's a fine line between sharing and bragging, so I'll let the photo speak for themselves. But put this 'note to self' in your PDA, rolodex or a post-it above your desk: "I absolutely must go to Maroma Resort and Spa sometime in my life". Now back to work!


* all photos copyright 2008 Patricia Lyons Photography

SuperFunHappy

I know, I know, you already heard that Kate and Jay's wedding was outstanding. They couldn't have been more superfunhappy if they tried. As I worked on their slideshow it became evident that this would be the 'theme'. Happy. Totally, utterly happy.

To see the slideshow, click on Kate and Jay, raise the volume and enjoy!

Sisters

Close-age siblings share a special relationship. They have their own little world, sometimes completely losing themselves in work or play. Often not even doing the same things but just being near, a deep comfort in knowing the other one is breathing just a few feet away. For photos they fold into each other, easily connecting, awkwardness never an issue. And laughter is spontaneous and genuine, spurred by just a look or a knowing nudge.

One of my sisters is only two years older than me. We did everything together, sharing a room and a childhood. I cried, screamed, cried some more every single day for months when she went off to kindergarten. I didn't know how to not be with her. I mean, my entire life she had been RIGHT there, then suddenly she was marching off in her new school uniform with her shiny lunch box, and I was supposed to stay home alone? Ooooh, I was so mad I scribbled in all of her books. Every page. Of every book. Which was kind of dumb since they were my books too. Mom was not happy. I can still remember sitting on the floor between our beds for hours erasing page after page of angry pencil, my dress covered in a growing community of Pink Pearl eraser crumbs.

This might explain why Mom enrolled me in school a year early.

In my job, it's so fun to see close-age siblings at every age. I get to hear their stories at rehearsal dinners, see Maids of Honor and Best Men stand by their buddies at the altar, beaming. And all of them have great stories and closeness. That gets me every time.

These two are going to have such a fun journey together.

Big Week

I couldn't resist putting a few more up here

More Kate and Jay... and Bruce!

I couldn't resist putting a few more up here. It's been a busy week and as I edit all these photos it's hard not to share a few. The photo above was from our quick beach detour (I loved how they looked at eachother) and the one below in front of Kate's home. Her Mom has exquisite taste so it was fun to play with her decor on some of the detail shots. The photo of Kate on the grass really came to life as the sun peeked from behind the clouds. We waited, waited, they were calling for her to get ready to go, then the sun popped out just in time and wow, it was worth the wait! I love backlighting, the way the sun filters through the leaves and her hair, but also softly bounces onto her face.



I had a great week catching up but a huge highlight for me was the Bruce Springsteen concert Wednesday night. Every time I see him I get thrown back to my teens as he is inextricably tied to so many memories. I remember stealing my sister's "Born to Run" album, locking the door, laying on my stomach in front of my stereo turntable and singing along to every song, over and over. When we got older we'd drive to the beach, windows open, howling at the top of our lungs.... wait for it...wait for it.... here it comes.... "A ONE TWO THREE FOUR, the highway's jammed with broken heroes...

I loved how each album was a collection of vivid short stories, each song introducing me to Mary, Eddie, Spanish Johnny, Jane, Kitty, Annie or of course, Rosalita. How each song created these images for me, no music video necessary, and I could almost see Mary standing on the porch, screen door slamming, dress waving. Or how I'd get goose bumps every single time Rosie heard that the record company had just given him that big advance. He's the master storyteller.

...and the poets down here don't write nothing at all, they just stand back and let it all be...

He's still the Boss. 58 and totally rockin'. WOOHOOO!!! Ok, back to work.