So Many Blessings: Maryellen and Trey
Saturday, October 7th, was a big day for me. Not only was that the day I photographed my first wedding, it was also the first public appearance of the Tree Grower’s Diary, which was scheduled long before the wedding opportunity came my way. Thanks to Mike, Bradley, Kathryn, Elaine and Gregory for helping me pull all this off.
Mike, especially, because he not only manned the Tree Diary most of the day, he also dropped by the wedding for a while and got some great shots for me. The bride, Maryellen, is the captain of the Edison First Aid Squad; she arrived to the wedding in an ambulance. How totally cool.
So, here’s the thing. Who knew that my first wedding would be SO emotional? The bride’s mother was a nurse for a long time, much beloved by the community (just like my own mom). Nine years ago, Maryellen’s mom had a stroke, and has been bound to a wheelchair ever since.
she stood, and alongside her husband, said, “We do.”
I don’t imagine there was a dry eye in the congregation. It was all I could do to hold my camera. Plus, Maryellen and Trey have an amazing story of hardship and fate that brought them together through the internet. I won’t go into the details here, but suffice to say, the song I chose for their slide show is perfect for this couple. So perfect, in fact, that when I asked Maryellen a week or so before the ceremony if the song would be O.K., she responded by saying, “That’s our wedding song.”
On Sunday, I was rushing around all day trying to organize wedding pictures from three cameras, and, that was the day of Gregory’s birthday party.
He had a great time, and I took pictures so he could send each child a personalized thank you card. Since the rule was that he couldn’t open another present until he wrote the thank you card for the one he just opened, we spent the better part of the night processing pictures and making and writing cards.
On Monday, the thank you cards went in the mail, and I got a major cold. No wonder, considering how hard I’ve been pushing myself.
But as I was putting together Maryellen and Trey’s slide show, I kept thinking about Maryellen’s mom, and the triumphant moment when she stood. Maybe it’s the cold affecting my head, but every time I watch the show, I cry like a baby. I feel blessed to have such a full life, and to have been a part of Maryellen and Trey’s wedding.
A special thanks to my friend, Brad, for telling Maryellen and Trey about my photography, and I thank them for having faith in me. It was truly a pleasure to document their special day, a day I will never forget.
THE PICTURES WERE BEAUTIFUL MARYELLEN.I CRIED WHEN I WATCH IT.YOU DESERVE THE BEST AND NOW YOU HAVE IT.I’M GLAD YOUR ONE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS.I LOVE YA,GINA
Comment by GINA ROCHE — October 9, 2006 @ 9:12 pm
You are a truely gifted artist. Thank you for taking such beautiful shots. My sister will cherish them forever.
Comment by Marty Langan III — October 9, 2006 @ 9:33 pm
Julie,
These Pictures are TOTALLY AWESOME!!! We have forwarded them to friends all over the world. We can hardly wait to see the rest of your shots.
Mary Ellen’s Parents,
Mary Lou & Marty
Comment by Mary Lou & Marty Langan — October 9, 2006 @ 10:54 pm
Julie:
We can’t thank you enough for this beautiful slideshow. So far it has been passed around the United States and places beyond such as England, Ireland, and Austrailia so far. Again thanks for making our day perfect!
Maryellen & Trey Walker
Comment by Anonymous — October 10, 2006 @ 12:07 am
Julie Walton Shaver,
You are an artist who paints with a camera!
I have seen a lot of great photographs, but the photos of Maryellen’s & Trey’s wedding were spectacular! Not only did you document their marriage, you caught the emotions, and the love of this wonderful event. And then to top it off, you created a magnificent slideshow in just a matter of a day or two! Grandpa Langan was thrilled to see the photos so quickly!
Keep doing what you’re doing, and you will be even more successful than you are now!
Thank you for making this day so special for our family!
Sincerely,
Robert Langan
Maryellen’s “Uncle Bob”
Comment by Bob Langan — October 10, 2006 @ 8:14 am
THE WORK THAT YOU DID WAS SOMETHING LIKE I NEVER SEEN.IT WAS GREAT.I KEEP CRYING EVERYTIME I WATCH IT.TO WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND A WONDERFUL DAY.I WILL REMEBER IT FOREVER AND NOW THEY WILL TO WITH THESE PICTURES.
Comment by GINA ROCHE — October 10, 2006 @ 1:39 pm
Wow, thanks everybody! What a great family you have, such nice comments and nice e-mails from your friends too. Maryellen, you did a fantastic job planning this event! Thanks again for trusting me to capture it.
–Julie
Comment by Julie Walton Shaver — October 10, 2006 @ 8:01 pm
Hi Julie,
Just wanted to let you know that you did a great job on your first wedding (I was shocked by the way when I first read that!). I just showed my co-workers your work and they loved how well you captured my Aunts triumphant moment by standing and all the other joyous moments. Mary Ellen and Trey definitely have photos that captured everything…enough to feel like you are reliving the day!
Sincerely, Heather
Comment by Heather Cumming — October 11, 2006 @ 9:13 am
JUUUUUUUUUULIE!!!!!!
I’m INCREDIBLY blown away by you right now!!!! That bouquet toss photo might be one of the best I’ve ever seen… And are you KIDDING me with MaryEllen’s Mom… WOW!
LOVE TO YOU!!!!
~Bobbi
PS. That ring shot… perfect.
Comment by Bobbi — October 12, 2006 @ 12:50 am
Another lover of the ring shot here.
I gotta start doing more with those…
Gavin
Comment by The Professional Photographer Show — October 19, 2006 @ 2:49 am
JULES, iT MADE ME CRY TOO!! BEAUTIFUL WORK!!++
Comment by Candy's Photography — October 19, 2006 @ 11:56 am
the bubble shot is great. And what a touching story :*)
++
Comment by Pic — October 19, 2006 @ 5:25 pm
Excellent … what a beautiful story to read. Nice work! ++
Comment by Bruce — October 19, 2006 @ 7:18 pm
Julie, what a great story you have told in words and pictures! You really did an awesome job capturing this story! There are so many great photos, and lots of emotions! Cant help but love the ring and ribbon, what a great idea! ++
Comment by Mike — October 20, 2006 @ 9:13 am
Great images! I’m also a big fan of the ring shot ++
Comment by Perspectives Photography — October 20, 2006 @ 11:47 pm
Julie:
It has been a year and a half since that joyous day that you capture every perfect detail of our wedding. I just received the DVD that you sent and I’ll tell you it was the best medicine for the homesickness I was feeling I still get the chills everytime I watch the slideshows. I am so glad that we could contribute to the success of your career. You truly are a gifted artist. Thank you so much for everything. Next time you fly south let us know there are lots of pretty places to take pictures down here!
Maryellen
Comment by Maryellen Walker — February 13, 2008 @ 10:10 pm