Sharon & Edgar - Wedding | Teshon Christie | Seattle - Denver - Miami Wedding Photographer

Sharon and Edgar are superstars.

When we met for our initial interview it felt more like I was meeting friends for a coffee than an actual meeting. Edgar was warm and generous with his compliments. Sharon was (and is) just pure joy. She smiled the entire time and kept stealing glances at her husband to be. At that moment I was convinced that not only did I want to shoot their wedding, but I had to. When they called me to say that I had been hired, I was beyond excited for the opportunity to be a part of their day.

And what a day it was. They were married in beautiful Crandon Park, which is located in tropical Key Biscayne Florida. Followed by a reception event that rivaled any celebration I had ever been to. From their grand entrance, to "La Hora Loco" complete with a drum band and men on stilts to their getaway on a boat, everyone that went will remember this day for the rest of their lives.

The love that Sharon & Edgar show for everyone they know is remarkable. Their steadfast devotion to God, their friends and each other is always evident. Their entire courtship and engagement was based on absolute purity, which is rare. They are the people you want to be around. The first people you call if you're having a dinner party and the kind of people you want to stay long after the party is over. Their genuineness of character makes you want the best for them.

And I genuinely do.

Ready to go.

 The limo ride to the venue.

Anticipation starting to build.

This is one of my most favorite images ever. Rather than jumping into the first kiss. He cherished it and really showed her the respect he knows she deserves. An amazing moment. 

A classic wedding feel.

She worked the single ladies into a frenzy. Dangerous times.

And one of the most unique getaways I've ever seen.

I want to thank Sharon & Edgar for allowing me to spend time with them through their engagement and wedding. I truly appreciate the honor of capturing your day.

I pray that Edgar and Sharon only grow in their love for each other and their example of love to everyone they know.

TC

Edgar + Sharon (Just You, Just Me)

I enjoy engagement sessions.

They give me and my beautiful assistant (my wonderful wife) a chance to meet the couple and get to know each other before the big day. You can't even begin to imagine how important it is to not have the wedding day be the 1st day you meet. I digress...

Sharon and Edgar are the cool kids, but in a humble way. Unassuming but confident. Along with being two of the kindest people you could ever meet they look stunning together and seem to soak up each others company. We took a little walk around the beautiful Coral Gables Prado and tried to see if we could blend in with the classical surroundings. I think they pulled it off.

A little out of order but I love shoe shots.

While we got ready I snapped this one.

Sharon kept sneaking these little looks at Edgar. Right when he looked away most times.

Caught her again.

I'm so grateful and honored that they asked me to shoot their wedding in a couple of months. After our little Sunday in the park, I'm looking forward to it.

TC

Meme & Chey - Engagement -aka- "Through the Years"

Meme & Chey

I love Florida. It's amazing how around every corner there is a place that outshines the last one and this day was no exception. The Lauderdale area provided the backdrop to an engagement session with the fabulous Meme & Chey. It's hard to find better photo subjects than these two upbeat, hip young people.

Several people stopped to watch part of the session with comments like "What a beautiful couple" and "They look so good together". With a relationship that has survived everything from proms to long distances and is easily characterized by jokes, laughs and smiles it's impossible not to root for these high-school sweathearts.
I look forward to their wedding next year.

tc

Antonio, Jalen & Kelly - Just Because

A few weeks ago I got the opportunity to hang out with and photograph some friends of mine. Sometimes as a photographer you worry about quite a few things, but in Colorado during the late fall it's always the same thing. The Weather. As I write this it's probably about 20 degrees or so outside but on that day we we're blessed with perfect fall weather.

I'm always grateful when someone lets me photograph them. This time I'm especially thankful for their great attitudes and willingness just to have fun. Thanks guys.

TC

I could shoot that with my eyes closed...

(C) 2007 Teshon Christie Photography

(This is kind of long, but worth it.)

I listen to a ton of podcasts. Considering my love for learning and the fact that podcasts make it easy to dip the proverbial toe into the waters of lifelong learning, I indulge. I also benefit from a 30-40 minute bus ride one way Monday through Friday. One of the podcasts I listen to fairly often is Shutterbug magazine Radio with Jack Warren. On the show was an interesting interview with a Photographer by the name of Douglas Kirkland. Douglas Kirkland is a prominent photographer who started in the 60's and has an impressive portfolio of candid celebrity shots taken from movie sets and private engagements. So Doug (I get familiar with my podcast presenters) said something that validated a conviction that I have had for some time.


Jack Warren asked the question "What other types of photography (other than celebrity) did you dabble in?"

Doug replied,

'Today young photographers are often told to specialize. In the 60's most of the large publications wanted you not to specialize. They wanted you to be challenged all the time. Which I think was very healthy for me because you had to keep landing on your feet.'

Doug finished with,

'If theres a picture that needs to be taken, I will take it whether or not it's a wedding, a baby or whatever it is...it's all photography. It's all for the love of what the camera can bring us.'

I know it's not the 60's but there is a very good point there that sticks with me. 'Landing on your feet'.

A lot of contributors to pro photography forums I participate in and a lot of the articles I read confirm the same thing Doug alluded to. An overwhelming drive to specialize. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of knowing your strengths and weaknesses and working around them. I'm a bigger fan of putting in time to strengthen your weaknesses. In my opinion specialization doesn't allow that. The funny thing is this applies to more disciplines than just photography. We've all heard the phrase ' A mile wide but an inch deep.' or my personal favorite 'Jack of all trades, master of none.'

I'm dedicated to becoming an excellent wedding photographer in every way that I can. That also applies to being an excellent portrait photographer, sports photographer, editorial photographer or whatever else I choose to photograph. Digital photography hasn't changed the fact that skills in one photographic discipline can and will translate to others.

Does that make me a bad person?

I'll tell you how it goes.

TC