{rodin+lenny} married: part two

{rodin+lenny} married: part one

As a photojournalist, I get asked a lot why I left journalism. Those questions generally revolve around two main topics: Was it because of the state of the industry? Or was it because you wanted/needed to make more money? 

The answer is no. No and NO.

Notice I didn't say "former photojournalist" because I don't consider myself retired. Unfortunately there is an overwhelming negative connotation within the journalism industry that when a photographer decides to do something other than journalism, they are selling out. I don't consider my decision to document weddings over working for a newspaper as "selling out" because at the end of a wedding day, I don't see the difference. A wedding is a story. A beautiful, tear-jerking, heart-warming story. And bottom line, I would much rather document the joy of a wedding than the pain of loss. Call me a weenie, but it's true.

I prefer happy things; I just don't have the stones to shoot the sad stuff. But that turning point is another story for another day.

{rodin+lenny} are a reminder as to why I believe all of the above. Their entire day was about them. Just them. It was a simple celebration with a close-knit group of {friends+family}. There was love, there were tears, there was an accordion... and there was a kazoo. 

Yes, a kazoo. 

Bottom line, it wasn't about the "stuff." It was hot and it was rocky. It was a long, long day. I was so sore the next day my couch developed a Dianne-print because I didn't move much. But as most weddings are, it was worth every minute. It was a resounding positive reminder as to why I love doing what I do... it was a reminder that at the end of a day (especially such a long one), weddings are both the beginning and the end of an amazing story. And I was blessed enough to be chosen to document it.

Without further ado, here are some excerpts from the Italian-Peruvian-Vegan-Jewish festivus that was {rodin+lenny}: married.

Click on these links if you missed {rodin+lenny} engaged or {rodin+lenny} sneak peek.

Again, huge, whopping thanks to Kimberly Creagan of Twin Satori Photography for being my rockstar second-shooter!

{rodin+lenny} sneak peek

Yesterday was a long day.

I may or may not have resembled a beached whale trying to roll out of bed this morning. My back aches, I'm a wee bit sunburnt and with each step I take, my toes are squealing.

It was hot. It was rocky. It was void of electricity. And there may or may not have been compost buckets for toilets.

It was a long, loooooong day.

But there was also love. And friends. And tears. And there may or may not have been an accordion.

Yes... an accordion.

It was worth every minute. Even my toes say so.

Sneak Peek: {rodin+lenny}

ps... huge props to Kimberly Creagan of Twin Satori Photography for rockin' it out with me the entire 13 hours. I couldn't have done it without you!

{olivia marie} three month sneak peek

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of continuing Miss Olivia's "First Year" series. I had a ton of trouble choosing a favorite, so I picked three! She's such a dollface.

For more information about having dolli photography document your baby's first year, please e-mail dianne@dolliphoto.com!

{cela+noah} married: segunda parte

A lot of this past week was focused on the "why." Why do we, as photographers, do what we do? Why photography? Why do you want to succeed? Why not? Why are you fearful? The list goes on and on and on. Always, always, ask "why?"

As I mentioned earlier, that's another post for another day. But part of my "why" is meeting couples like {cela+noah}. They're only 24, but have already been together for eight years. They've grown up together; they've loved, lost, laughed and they've cried - together. And you know what? {cela+noah} have been through more in the first eight years than most couples go through in the first eighteen. So for me, being privy to the background story, being invited to be a part of such an important day, simply being responsible (and man, what a responsibility) for documenting when they finally and officially became {cela+noah}... well, it's nothing short of amazing. And I think it's a pretty damned good why.

Enjoy.
~di

{Ceremony: St. Augustine Cathedral}
{Reception: Savoy Opera House}

The photo above is by far my favorite image of the day. Like, leaps and bounds. Love.

The couple on the right got engaged about a month after the wedding. Congrats, Carolyn!

Just for fun - Mustache Photographer!

You can see {cela+noah} married: la primera parte here, and their engagement shoot here.

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ {rodin+lenny} engaged sneaky peeky!

Thank you, Tucson.

Thank you for big, fluffy white clouds. For sunshine. For mountains, gorgeous sunsets and rocky outcroppings.

And most importantly: thank you for amazing, brave clients willing to climb on top of said outcroppings.

Just, thank you.

~di

{things that make me happy} impromptu doggie photo shoots!

Need I say anything more?