On Disney Music and the Joys of Memory

Thanks to a posting by my friend Andri on Facebook I was introduced to Grooveshark.  While I could go on at great length about this website I assure you that I won’t (you lucky dogs you!)  The reason I mention it at all is because this wonderful site, which allows me to stream almost any song I can think of, was blasting wonderful melodies into my brain meat while I sat in my cubicle at work today and I suddenly thought, “I wonder if there are Disney songs on here…”  Lo and behold, there were!  From the opening vocals of Circle of Life from The Lion King to the amazing harmony of A Whole New World (from Aladdin, for those of you who are LAME and don’t know) I was instantly transported.  Certain Disney movies were staples of my childhood.  I take an odd bit of pride in being able to recite almost all of Aladdin and the vast majority (like, 90%!) of The Lion King from memory.  Every line, every song, every random sound and motion of the characters, all of it.  Sure, it’s not Shakespeare on the London stage, but it’s pretty damn close!  Especially to us Americans.  These movies helped define my childhood, which was pretty hardxcore (yes, spelled just like that) and was filled with enough issues as to make me cherish the great parts I did have.

This whole experience got me thinking about life and how interesting our brains are.  You say you want time travel?  You say you want the wonders of steam punk or Star Trek in our time?  Look no further then that gray matter you have stuffed in your skull!  Unless you’re a zombie and an eager monster has had his way with your lunch box of a head that is.  But, that aside, time travel is real!  We are all carrying around triggers in our heads that can and will take us back.  Smells, sounds, people, songs, you don’t really know what will set you off until you’ve experienced it and once you do you will want to hold on to it.  I felt this when I heard those songs and I was instantly calmer, smiling, singing like an idiot, and happy.  I was a sorry sight for sure: a grown man doing paperwork while listening to “kids” music, but I was HAPPY with my memories.  This got me thinking of other things which could cause this same reaction and I could not help but think of what I am doing personally.  Photography, in its most basic form, captures a piece of time.  Maybe an image I shoot won’t mean anything to anyone, not even me, but imagine pictures from your wedding.  For those of you who are married this won’t be hard, for all you single folk, just play along and stay with me here.  Those images, carefully crafted, are a window into your past.  The look on a bridesmaid’s face could take you right back to that moment.  It could remind you of a quirk you had forgotten about that wonderful person you chose to have you there on your special day.  The sight of your family, of all your friends, gathered there and captured perfectly could (dare I say, SHOULD) bring up all the happy memories of that wonderful day.  Your memories, though useful, are crowded over with the latest project from work, the chores yet to be done, the disgust you’re carrying for the latest tween sensation (*ahem* I’m looking at you Twilight fanatics), all things which get in the way of really feeling the strong emotions from that day.  But when you’re confronted with your wedding album, with all those images, it can take you right back to it.  That’s the power of great wedding photographs.  They can make you smile, laugh, feel an almost dizzying sense of joy from deep within yourself that you had forgotten even existed.  Anything that precious should be seen for what it is.  Something so important it’s worth striving for, holding on to, and yes, even singing about.

PS: I’ve actually read all the Twilight books.  The first movie was crap, but I want to see New Moon.  Yes, I feel dirty admitting it.

MORE STUFF! Just because I mentioned it above, if you want to see some fantastic examples of steam punk and appreciate an amazing photographer at the same time just click right here!

Shout out!

I’ve had the technical school training. I’ve shot on my own. I’ve read books on photography. I’ve read blogs/websites/magazines about photography. With all this under my belt I’ve come to one conclusion: that the best way to learn is to study actual photographers. There is just something about seeing the work of others, reading their thoughts, and just trying my hardest to squeeze any information out of a wedding photographer’s website that makes my mind work in a very productive way. So in this post I want to share some of the best wedding photographers I’ve found out there. Check them out, and be amazed!

Jasmine Star
I’m sorry everyone else, but she’s easily my favorite. From how open and honest her blog is about her work and life to the amazing photographs, Jasmine does it all. She’s a constant source of inspiration.

Mike Colon
Finally, someone who isn’t afraid of grain! His style just caught my eye so fast I knew I wanted to follow his work and pick up a few things. So many of his images just have this classic quality that makes me feel like the wedding somehow fell through a time warp and really took place decades ago. I half expect to see Frank Sinatra in the background. But of course, it doesn’t happen, all I get is beautiful shot after beautiful shot. (oh no!)

Dane Sanders
Let me get this out of the way: his photographs are just beautiful. There, it’s said, it’s the truth, and it’s done. What Dane does better then anyone (for me anyways) is display an ability to anticipate, adapt, and fully explore new ways to do business as a photographer. His book, Fast Track Photographer, was one of the most eye opening books I’ve ever read. If anyone reading this wants to start any kind of photography business I highly recommend it. If you’re looking to start a wedding photography business it’s 100% essential!

The Becker
The Becker has an eye that can’t be denied. The vast majority of his images look like they belong in a magazine, like they were carefully crafted in the perfect studio setting. But they weren’t, this is just how good he is.

Ed Pingol
What can I say about Ed Pingol? Personally, he’s the model for what modern wedding photography can be. He is a master of creative angles and has had more “how the hell did he do that?!” shots then anyone else I have ever seen. Check him out!