We chose our wedding photographer many months ago. I was a little obsessed that the good ones would be snatched up, and did much research right after our engagements.
Photographs are very, very important to me; I love images, postcards, galleries, icons–most of my work and study spaces are covered with images I love. My work in the Victorians at Oxford often delved into (new at the time) photography, and attitudes toward “keeping” a lasting image. I have a collection of Victorian photographs that some villagers outside of Oxford gave me. And now, of course, I study iconography nearly every day.
When I was looking at websites of photographers, the work of Jeff and Trishia Borts (of Denash Photography) stood out to me for several reasons. Of course, first of all, the pictures they take are gorgeous. They use inventive sets, and their use of color in otherwise black&white shots is whimsical and can be stunning. It also didn’t seem like they had only one or two “tricks” up their sleeve–each wedding had its own look and feel.
Something else stood out immediately: the brides and couples they featured include African Americans, Asians, Indians…brides and bridesmaids in wheelchairs, and mixed race couples. Of course, this shouldn’t be a big deal–all kinds of people, from _all_ kinds of communities, marry. But: I read lots and lots of wedding magazines, filled with amazingly beautiful photographs and advertisements–and nearly all of the brides and bridal parties featured are white. (White, thin, and often blonde.)
In magazines, the bride rarely has freckles, she is always young, she never is taller than her groom, and she never has less-than-thin arms. Don’t non-white brides buy Martha Stewart Weddings? I wonder about this. So: I was surprised and pleased to see such diversity–not only in their photographs, but in the photographs they choose to _publish_ as examples of their work.
And, when I spoke to Trishia on the phone, I had a great experience. I have an odd (compared to some) way of describing what I like–I use literary allusions, and lots of adjectives, and try to describe scenes I’ve imagined in my mind. Either you get this, or it doesn’t make sense. Trishia got it, and _encouraged_ it. She said to send them envelopes full of images I like, and those I don’t like. I love this idea–that they would be willing to go through stuffed envelopes of photographs that appeal (for whatever intangible reasons) to me.
Also, because I’m a worrier, I had to ask the outlandish questions: What if you two are in an accident on the way to the wedding? What if the camera breaks? What if the photos get ruined? Not only did she have a great answer, and reassurance, for all of my worst-case-scenarios, she was gracious, humorous, and totally happy to help reassure me–and assured me that I could ask these questions as often as I needed to.
Now–onto some of their photos. I could spend hours poring over their blog and galleries. I invite you to do the same. If there’s a shot you like, or would love us to have, make a note. Here are a few of my favorites:
See what I mean? Fantastic. The red color in the first two? The blue detail in the otherwise black&white? The memorable and original wedding party photos? I love them all.
All images by Jeff and Trishia Borts.
