Maine Wedding Photographer Brian Wedge: Photojournalist

Rose and Cam: Island Wedding (Vinalhaven, Maine)

Published by brianwedge on August 27, 2008 in Brian Wedge Photography, Destination Weddings, Life on the coast, Uncategorized, Weddings, inspiration and maine wedding. 2 Comments

Penobscot Bay is my old stomping grounds, and is an incredibly special place. Back when I was a full time Captain with Outward Bound, I did laps around Vinalhaven island on every conceivable kind of boat possible, in all varieties of weather, and with a wide range of friends and students aboard. Penobscot Bay is where we completed numerous adventures and started even more.

The happiness…

It’s not surprising then that I was completely thrilled to be back in The Fox Island Thoroughfare heading to Vinalhaven to shoot a wedding weekend. The weather was perfect, the families were amazing, and more welcoming than we could have ever expected.

Getting ready for a bear hug… the best greeting ever!

Rose and Cam are incredible people and hosts. Never before have I had a client RUN across a field (and I mean run) to bear hug me at our first meeting. I soon discovered that Rose’s amazing energy and constant smile were gifts that she shared with everyone in her life. Cam was equally sweet and happily took folks across the bay repeatedly throughout the weekend (thanks Cam for not running full speed to bear hug me… it’s ok, really).

Squeezing in for the 30+ buttons.

Holding back tears…

Rose came down the isle (foreground) and Cam teared up. Very sweet.

It was wonderful to spend time with two people who so openly adore one another, their families and their friends. Their home on Vinalhaven is a truly spectacular location, but this weekend, it’s beauty was certainly elevated by the love and respect displayed during this wedding celebration. It truly was an honor to spend so much time with all of you!

Ceremony complete… they took some time on the dock to themselves. Nice Flemish Coils whoever did that. We appreciated it!

And some time on the porch…

Their hilarious and wonderful first dance.

Cam defies gravity…

Rose crowd surfing.

Unstoppable.

The merriment of the reception.

Notice that none of these feet are on the ground. These guys danced so hard the floor shook. We had to cut the cake early because of concerns that it would fall over (not joking).

The incredible fireworks display. No injuries reported.

The whirling, spinning mass of family and friends beneath the tent.

Thank you so much for having us! We loved meeting all of you and spending the weekend at your wonderful house. There’s a mooring and a cold beer waiting for all of you the next time you sail through Harpswell!

Want to see more? The complete photos are available here.

Vendors:

Catering: Belle Fete (great job Lori).

Band: Jenny Woodman Band

Back from Baja…

Published by brianwedge on August 13, 2008 in Brian Wedge Photography, Editorial, News, Photojournalism, Social Responsibility and Uncategorized. 5 Comments

I’ve been back from Baja for about a week now and have been slammed with shoots, print requests and the everything else that kept moving right along while I was shooting in the Pacific. I have learned over the years to hold on to precious images until the timing is right… until the editing is just right, and the accompanying text is “just right.”

The gasp of a loggerhead sea turtle fighting for the surface…

But thanks to my amazing wife Christine, I have also learned that I am a perfectionist… and sometimes the timing is never ideal. With that said… everyone keeps asking to see some of the images from Mexico. I wanted to hold off because there’s an important story here that even I didn’t fully comprehend until I was there… seeing the effort, the waste, smelling the smells and witnessing the hope of some incredibly dedicated researchers.

After wrestling the turtle aboard, it is weighed.

Turtle skull on shell… and sadly there’s hundreds more in every direction.

With the important disclaimer that there IS an amazing story and many more interesting images “in the vault” that will be released as soon as I come up for air, I offer up a little taste of what’s to come. Stay tuned. And to Hoyt and the team down in Baja… thank you for the opportunity… more is on the way.

Hauling the remains off the beach.

Another stranded turtle is discovered.

Note: wild sea turtles are not happy when caught, and despite the tranquility of this scene… that turtle was mad, and has it’s mouth open to defend itself against foolish photographers who dare come too close.

Once caught, scientists weigh, tag, measure and take blood samples.

About to be released…

The turtle cemetery. The Mexican government didn’t quite believe researchers when shown evidence that turtles were being killed at such an incredibly high rate. Mass graves are used to document the numbers of turtles killed. All these turtles died during my one week visit.

Who says biologists can’t tear it up?

Shark fins drying at a subsistence fishing village.

Those wonderful Mexican smiles…

After 12 hours out on the boat… the fishermen clean their catch for 4 more hours. Everyday. (everyday).

Local girl.

“Rodeo” is the act of cruising in a boat at 10 knots until a turtle is spotted, and then jumped on before being wrestled onto the boat for study. Here’s Hoyt showing All Star Rodeo form.

The release.

The Mexican Press Pool… covering the Governor’s crowning of the Turtle Beauty Queen. Had to take it!

Assignment: Sea Turtles of Baja California Sur, Mexico

Published by brianwedge on July 21, 2008 in Brian Wedge Photography, Editorial, News, Photojournalism, Social Responsibility and Uncategorized. 3 Comments

I’m off on an editorial assignment to cover the plight of the critically endangered Pacific Loggerhead Sea Turtle off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The amazing conservation efforts by researchers and local fishermen is truly inspiring, and one that warrants publicity, support and documentation.

A Sea Turtle Assignment in Costa Rica a few years back…

The Loggerhead sea turtles (or caguamas in Spanish) stop in Baja during their migration from Japan and Hawaii to a specific series of “hotspots” in the Mexico. During their time in Baja California Sur, thousands are killed every year accidentally by shark and halibut gill-netting fishermen. The local fishermen are not intentionally killing the turtles but their nets consistently produce a “bykill” of caguamas every year.

I’ll be bobbing around in a small boat about 35km off of Baja California Sur…

My old college friend, Hoyt Peckham is a PhD candidate studying these populations, and has spearheaded an incredible campaign to educate, inspire and engage local communities to protect these turtles. Watch Hoyt’s FANTASTIC (and entertaining) short video to get a sense of the problems facing the caguamas and the communities that are rallying to protect them. Much more to come!

In addition to making consistent financial contributions to the environmental organizations and community groups we believe in, we also commit one week a year to photographing for the causes that are making a positive difference in this world. If you’re part of an organization, you believe in a cause or you know of a worthy story that could use our help, let us know!

Stacia & Lloyd: Bar Harbor Wedding

Published by brianwedge on July 10, 2008 in Brian Wedge Photography, Destination Weddings, Maine, Uncategorized, Weddings and maine wedding. 3 Comments

We love emotion. We love bear hugs, tears of joy, stomach churning excitement and laughter that brings you to your knees. Capturing emotion is one of our greatest strengths, and one of the most frequent compliments we receive from our clients. We feed off of it, we celebrate it and we get to witness it often through our work.

But Stacia & Lloyd… they bring more emotion than any of us could have ever expected. These two were jubilant to be getting married. They had fun, they laughed, they cried, Stacia sang (I’m not kidding), Lloyd danced (at times alone) while the band jammed for a half hour straight… and their families responded in turn with an outpouring of love and joy. They’re our kind of people: they know who they are, and are so comfortable with themselves that they wore their emotions on their sleeves.

Stacia had a little Roaring 40’s “thing” happening in her outfit, and this image is timeless…

The ribbons that adorned the cast iron rails.

Lloyd seeing his bride for the first time!

Always a connection, always a glance, always a smile…

Stacia and Lloyd are a New York couple who chose the Bar Harbor Regency to host their wedding and reception because Maine was the location of their very first vacation together. We’ve stayed at the Regency many times before during the LL Bean catalog photo shoots, but I was completely unfamiliar with their wonderful ”Stone House,” which is a private building nearby with commanding ocean views and a certain sense of elegance and intimacy that’s hard to find.

Minotts Floral Creation. Beautiful.

The Stone House View at The Bar Harbor Regency

Lloyd, reading his vows.

Another burst of laughter!

Stacia & Lloyd’s day was a handcrafted wedding that was filled with thoughtful, personal details… but at the same time was about as unpretentious as a wedding could be. Their ability to laugh, cry and be “real” was truly beautiful to observe and capture. Thanks for including Christine and I in your big day. You’re an inspiration to all of us!