j. shipley: bearings + headings.: ashley + nate: their wedding.

one of things i enjoy most about being the photographer at a friends' wedding is that it affords me an opportunity. an opportunity to celebrate, observe, see, notice, tell, remember and document. to celebrate the marriage of two friends. to observe something bigger than myself. to see authentic moments. to notice the details. the tell a story. to remember all of the moments we have shared together. and to document the events of their wedding day. i have been blessed with this opportunity often this summer and each time i am reminded of the power of relationship.

ashley and nate's wedding was not exception. nate and i have known each other since the days in clark j-l as freshmen and armington a2 as sophomores. i got to know ashley through our many shared moments of fun and laughter with our friends at the tipity-top house our senior year. so naturally, when it came time for their wedding day, there was pre-established trust. their were memories. shared experiences. and insight and understanding. and all of it was rooted in friendship. i think there is power in that. at least for me as an artist and a story-teller.

all that to say, that i was moved and blessed (as i always am) by photographying nate and ashley's wedding. it as an honor to spend the day with them and to celebrate their marriage. i loved that knew nate's authentic smile and ashley's quiet, calming presence. i loved that i knew their bridal party and that we could laugh together as friends. it was indeed a special day. and one that i will always cherish as a memory with my friends...

alas, here are a few of my favorite images from nate and ashley's san rafael wedding...be sure to check out the full slideshow here.