Max + Brooke - The perfect wedding.
“I...I’m scared to death that she might be it
That the love is real
That the shoe might fit
She might just be my everything and beyond (beyond)”
I’ve shot a few really close friend’s weddings now. Delyn, Dave, Justin all kind of paved the way. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of shooting Brandon + Elizabeth tie the knot (he’s the head of our video team). I’ve seen friends and family walk down the aisle but this wedding was a little extra special to me. Much like Brandon’s wedding I spend a lot of my life with Max. For the last six years he’s traveled the country and internationally with me. We’ve taught each other so much about this job and our passion for it. We’ve fought and disappointed each other and we’ve laughed and explored some of the coolest days of my life together. To say he’s a close friend is probably an understatement, in fact most days I’d say we probably act a bit more like brothers. Max knows my kids well, and my wife (who happens to double as the other owner of this company). When he met Brooke something changed in him that was really special to see. There’s a depth in Max that takes a bit to uncover. He’s a fairly guarded guy with his emotions and he is truly smart about spreading himself too thin. When he met Brooke it was like his entire world just somehow opened up. She’s ambitious, strong willed, smart, beautiful, funny, but most of all - she pushes max. I get the feeling when these two argue it’s probably nuclear and yet - when they are sweet to each other it’s equally as explosive. They’re just sweet people with a real taste for life and a real desire to live it together. When Max asked me to hold the camera for them on their wedding day I have to admit - it’s been awhile since I’ve been nervous. To be honest, Max is the guy I write these days when I need photo advice. We trade ideas and knowledge back and forth a lot, working on editing and lighting together, even sharing gear and when I text him the morning of his own wedding to say how excited I was I admitted I was nervous. I just didn’t want to disappoint one of the most talented photographers I know with his own wedding photos and his response to me was perfect. “Do what you’ve been doing for 10 years and I’ll be thrilled". Even on his own wedding day this guy was holding me together. This day was a perfectly designed culmination of Brooke’s beautiful style and taste and Max’s experience in this industry. The lighting, locations, ideas, a surprise wedding ring designed by an old client and friend all the way up in NYC, all the way down to Max’s suit and Brooke’s dress were absolutely perfectly curated. Every little moment was executed perfectly by one of the absolute best wedding planning teams in the country and then after eating a delicious dinner in the coolest little room in all of Northwest Arkansas one of my very favorite DJ’s showed up to host one of the last weddings he’ll ever emcee. To say this wedding was an act of love by so many people would be a huge understatement but to say that we all got to see the finger print of two very special people all over it would be equally as true. Max + Brooke are special. If you’ve gotten to know them at all you’ll agree that they’re authentic, kind, bold, brave. These moments are just a drop in the bucket from one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever photographed but here we are 30 minutes short of 20 hours since she walked down the aisle to him and I couldn’t wait another second to show a few of my favorite moments and to say thank you to both of them for the access to their families on such a special day. A SUPER special thank you to Melissa for helping jump in and grab a camera to help me shoot the ceremony!
Wedding Planner : Amanda Reed Weddings (Taylor)
DJ : Brock Entertainment (Jason)
Catering : La Media Luna
Videography : MWB Films
Floral : A Twisted Bloom
Ceremony Location : The Nest at Prairie Creek
Reception Location : Dry Storage at 1907
Rings : Heather Detmer Designs
