As a photographer & artist, I have always felt like I looked at the world just a bit differently – whether it was while photographing or just in my every day.  For years, I always felt like I had to defend why I did it that way or what was in my brain when I “shot it like that”, but more and more, I don’t defend it any more, just embrace it and know that is what makes me “me”!  But with that said, I have always been one to want to learn more, to get better and challenge myself to the point where I am teetering on either a ‘wow’ or ‘uh, oh, not sure about this!’ kinda’ moments…absolutely necessary to get better, at least for me.

So this past week, I was able to get to that teetering edge — in a good way!  I attended Justin & Mary’s “Walk Through a Wedding Workshop”.  It was preceded by their ‘Spread the Love’ tour this past week in Charlotte, NC, and needless to say, I was challenged in the best way possible!  Never was I told, “this is the absolute right way to do it” or “change up your style so it will work” or anything of the sort.  Instead, I was given skills that I could use to move forward, was inspired to create my art in a new way and challenged to really think and “push the envelope” just a little bit more.  I was up for it – “I am ready — bring it on J&M” I thought to myself when sitting in the hotel suite, at the Church and then again at the Reception venue.  Maybe it was the Starbucks that was served first thing in the morning or later that day (uh, yes, Mary did know where the Starbucks was in respect to the Church…gotta’ love it!!) to give me that blast of energy that lasted the entire day, but I think it was just because I knew I wanted it and was so ready for it all!

Looking for light, using light differently, learning technical aspects of lighting, working with the bride and groom and bridal party, being able to ask any question without Justin or Mary looking at you like you were an alien – all this and so much more throughout the day – I felt like nothing was held back and we were always being asked, “give us more that you want to know” and when we did, it was always answered with a smile!!

Mary & Justin, thank you so much for truly having an open heart – I knew that you would but didn’t quite expect how much! For letting me still be ‘me’ but inspiring me to be better and to think differently and pushing myself just a little bit more – it means a lot!  And Mary, when we chatted on Tuesday, you said to me, “keep on being open Rupa, keep doing it – be who you are – it will come back to you in a good way…I promise.”  You probably didn’t realize the impact that those words made on me, but they did, and in that moment, I realized that I can only be who I am – as a person, a business woman, and a photographer – and I promise that I will.

Here are the photos from our “Walk Through a Wedding” in Charlotte. Taken by me with my eyes & heart, but sprinkled with added inspiration, teaching & thought from J&M – enjoy!

Taken in the morning when we learned about shooting details -

The wonderful Bride & Groom and the Bridal Party – big props to them for hanging for the entire day and having smiles on their faces non-STOP considering 20+ cameras were on them the entire time!!

Justin & Mary – a smile that was SO Justin and Mary just ROCKIN’ the pose!!!

My absolute favorite shot of my day!  I felt like this was the culmination of what I had learned during their worksop!!! YESSS!