Josephine Butler Parks Center Wedding: Josh and Ozge

Dec 13

In a way, Ozge and Josh cheated. They got married in Turkey before they did this ceremony in the United States, so they had a practice run. But I suspect they'll be just as beautiful years from now as they did the day I photographed them, or rather more so with the passage of time.

One of the benefits of photographing a married couple getting married, I discovered, is that they helped dress each other, get ready together. I witnessed a piece of romantic domesticity, eros and pathos both. I remember seeing Ozge carefully helping Josh with his cufflinks, and Josh patiently buttoning each of the buttons on Ozge's dress. How many couples get to relive their marriage moments with the mundane actions of daily life? (For those with a child already, I can see some of the same opportunities of happy rememberance.)

They had a morning (or brunch) wedding, which gave such wonderful light that day at the Butler house. Their families and friends mixed and talked, and gabbed and hugged, and toasted (it seemed) 40 times. "There is so much to say," is what I heard from all of the friendly murmurs, jokes, and conversations from my mobile perch. Thank you, by the way, those of you who helped me corral the formal portrait participants. We had a pretty efficient operation going, for sure.

And even though it was a packed schedule, Ozge and Josh brought me along to bring some of their private time and personal photography time together. I found some images then that I'm very proud of that show them together in their own way. I found their dance, in a similar way, as another special expression of being together--the whole 5 minutes--but with everyone around them.

Ozge and Josh, I think I expressed it clearly as we took the last photographs afterwards in the park: it was a pleasure to be there, with you and your loved ones. I wish you the best.