Storytelling...The Single Image

Storytelling usually is a series of images that convey a moment or emotion. This comment from Andrea on her Facebook wall shows what even a singular image can mean...

Thanks everyone! So far my favorite is the one I put as my status. It says to me... "on this day I married my best friend."

Comment on Joe and Shana's Wedding "Teasers"

I just received this comment on the blog from a guest at Joe and Shana's wedding...

"I work with so many photographers, many of whom carry bags of gear and gadgets, so it's amazing to see what you capture with (what seems to me, the spectator) a minimal setup. You have tremendous talent and take beautiful pictures."  


Thank you Brendan for taking the time to write this comment. Being a minimalist  allows me to be unobtrusive and capture those fleeting moments.

Kind Words from the Father of the Bride

As a wedding photographer, I sometimes wonder if what I do is really that special. I have been fortunate to receive many kind words from my clients over the years...but this one took me by surprise...


From: "Doug"
To: info@petersilvia.com
Date: 06/29/2011 05:42:12 EDT
Subject: Lauren and Mikes Wedding

Peter:

I finally understand the value of what you do. Certainly not to minimize your talent, but it dawned on me today as I viewed the photos of Mike and Lauren on your web site. It immediately brought me back to one of the happiest days of my life, my daughter's wedding. So, thank you for allowing me to go back to those wonderful feelings of that grand day.

Regards,
Doug

It is a wonderful life to be able to capture and create emotional memories so that they can be shared and relived again and again. Doug, I am grateful for your thoughtfulness and kind words.

Email from Andrea

Peter/Greer,
Thank you so much! The slideshow is absolutely fantastic! While the photos themselves are beautiful, I think we were almost more moved by the story it told...the sequence of photos and the chain of expressions they revealed reminded us so clearly of what had just been said, or what we were thinking or feeling at a particular moment. It helped to really relive a day that went by SO fast! Bubbled up all the emotion that we were too caught up to experience on the actual day :-) Love the photos on the rocks and at Salve Regina. We look forward to the next step of seeing all the other beautiful photos!
Thank you!!!Andrea

It was my pleasure and honor to be a part of your day.

Email from Emily

Dear Peter and Greer,

Anne just forwarded me the slideshow; I am beyond words. Outstanding. Your pictures are alive with the spirit and joy and beauty of the day. I was moved to tears that I was too caught up to actually shed that day.

Peter, you should know that beyond the artistry of what you captured with your lens, your calm direction and presence helped guide us through the crazy twists and turns of such an important and emotional day. You had a tremendous impact both on how events unfolded that day and how we will preserve and remember them forever.

With love,
Emily DaSilva

Emily, thank you for such kind words. I am humbled and very happy that Anne and Scott had a day to remember. You were a big help throughout the day. Anne should be very proud of her family.

Email from Megan and James

Peter! You really captured our wedding!! I am thrilled with the pictures.
You caught every facial expression, every emotion. I can't thank you
enough. Soo many funny photos. You really expressed how much fun we were
having. Can't wait to see the story book! :)

All the best,
Megan and James

Thanks for such kind words. It was a pleasure being a part of your wedding day!

Kind Words

I just received these kind words...

Hello Peter,
I just viewed your images of Sabrina's wedding and I kept saying "great shot,
great shot, who is this photographer??
Just a note to tell you how lucky Sabrina was to have you shoot her
wedding and how amazing your images, your edit and your pagination are!!
A lovely way to start my day. A lovely way for Sabrina and her
husband to start their lives!

In Grace
With Gratitude

Selina

Response to Slideshow

From Sabrina after viewing her wedding slideshow...

Dear Peter,
The response from all my friends and family who have seen the slideshow is
astounding...they all appreciate your incredible artistry and are clamoring
for more...thanks again for the superb job with the pictures....
Best,
Sabrina

Thanks for trusting me with your wedding day. I enjoyed being with both of you and your families.

A Note From Sonia and Nithin

What a great way to start the day. From Sonia's email response to viewing her wedding slideshow:

Thank you for the BEAUTIFUL photos!! Peter is an amazing artist that
is able to capture the essence of each moment. Nithin and I can't stop
looking at these photos and feel like were are reliving the most
special day of our lives. We really want to thank you for all of your
hard work-- you did not stop once the entire day and even took time at
the end of the day to take additional family photographs. We are so
thankful and amazed at your talent! We had high expectations given
your prior work and we are now beyond words . . .

Once again, thank you for sharing this momentous occasion with us!!

Sonia and Nithin


It truly was a special day to witness the joining of two families and cultures. Thank you for the kind words and trust you placed in me to document these moments.

Email from Jean

We just received this email from Jean:

"We're just getting back from St. Lucia -- easing back into reality is NO fun! I would make a great permanent honeymooner.

Thanks for the slide show -- Peter, you amaze me. I truly felt 'back in the moment' when I looked at the photos you took. You have an amazing skill in capturing the essence of the moment. Thank you for living up to your website photos!!!!! "

Thank you Jean and Marty for the kind words and allowing me be a part of your day. Enjoy the memories!

Leslie and Jason

Greer followed up with Leslie to make sure she received her StoryBooks and was pleased with them. Here is her reply...

Hi Greer - YES!!! We got them and we LOVE them. We were just down in
Baltimore this past weekend for Easter visiting Jason's folks and gave
them their album. They (and his two grandmas) couldn't stop looking
through it. They absolutely loved it. I'm giving it to my parents on
Mother's day which I think will be a great surprise.

The 'story' is amazing and Peter did such a great job with the
format....it really takes us back to relive the day.
Thank you so much,
Leslie

Once again, her comments make me feel good about why I do what I do. I feel immense gratitude to be a part of other people's lives.

Email from Alex

Just received this email from Alex regarding seeing her slideshow...

"OMG GREER!!!!!!!!!!! TELL PETER....FABULOUS FABULOUS FABULOUS!!!!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!! I AM SOOOO TOUCHED!!! They are sooo sentimental and beautiful really capturing the emotion of the day!! Thank you sooooo much. I am ecstatic and can't wait to show Jay and the parents :)

Love you both!!
Alex"

Kind of sums up one of the reasons why I do what I do.