Long before I met her in person, I had been a huge fan of Mirah Curzer Photography.  In my lucky small world, Mirah is the wife of Josh, with whom I co-founded the inter-religious journal last year.  I first saw her portfolio while they were still in Israel, and looked through it, looking then for images for our website and journal.

And THEN I started noticing her engagement pictures, her wedding shots, her bridal portraits.  She is one talented woman.  A force.  She takes reception shots like no other photographer I’ve yet seen (including the ones I hired for our wedding this winter.)  And I am over the moon that she’s offered to take portraits of me, and of me and Matt together.

Here are some of my recent favorites of hers– but do check out her blog and online portfolio. Every time I look at it, the beauty and immediacy of her photos inspires me and reminds me of how in love I am with Matt.

(All images copyright Mirah Curzer Photography)

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.

Oh, oh, oh!  The most amazing photos.  Isn’t she gorgeous?  Aren’t they beautiful together?  And isn’t the setting dreamy-strange-amazing?

During the ceremony.  I love that someone built an all-white Chapel, with pillows and natural light, in the middle of the desert.

The minister is the Reverend Ludo, a Celtic officiant.

With Katherine and Paul, their witnesses, a lovely couple from the UK.

How beautiful and unique.  I know many, many couples talk about eloping, but I have to say: Jamie and Jeremiah did it right–she has a dress, and it took money to pay for gas to drive to Nevada, but once they were there…it was organic, spontaneous, and true.  The photographs weren’t done by a professional, but they couldn’t be more amazing, and the setting is just unreal.

I’m so proud of her, and thrilled for them.  I can’t wait to see them in person.  Congratulations, Jeremiah and Jamie!