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However the judges comments went like this:

But I have to comment on this category in general. There were so many pictures of people walking away from the photographers that it puzzled me. I saw so many pictures with stunning light in other categories that I wondered what the photographers were thinking when they got to this category. All of the moments and good storytelling went away.

Who is this judge that feel’s so strongly that there’s no story from this image that they take the liberty to complain about my photo as exemplary of the category? But they award first place to a haphazardly composed and monochromatic image of the same theme? Boy does that sting.  In my experience this goes to strengthen the stereotype that ‘photojournalistic’ images are ‘careless snapshots in black and white’ and doesn’t work toward showing how a good photojournalist can transcend the basic elements of what’s happening and make an image with stronger themes. I would love to hear Sister Wendy discuss the results.

Realistically, when you’re up there your eyes are glued to the splendor that’s enveloping you! When the couple looks at the camera the image loses it’s compelling fixation on the mountain. When you’re there, just as in the picture, it feels like you can reach out and touch it. In my picture I worked to transcend the basic experience of being dropped off on the side of a mountain by helicopter, and tried to capture gesture and pair forms that form an allegory for the wedding experience.  I was looking for body language that helped describe the awe we all felt.

It’s funny how every time I hand out the business card with this image on it, the response is – “did you photoshop the background?” Nope, I was really there – and the story of this image, doesn’t just begin when the shutter clicked. You see, it was my vision to wait until the very last minute to get the sunset on the mountain. In this position, we’re in danger of being surrounded by clouds moving up the mountain. Here’s Nigel, our pilot on the lookout for clouds coming in.

The only reason we were able to make this picture is because of Nigel’s experience, daring and willingness. He told us that on his warning we would have to be back in the chopper within 1 minute, because if a cloud covers us – we can’t take off – because the pilot flys visually. The helicopter is perched on loose stones, and Nigel got out and propped us up with extra stones before he would let us get out. The helicopter is idling with the blades spinning so we can make a quick takeoff. On the port side of the bird, there’s probably only two meters to the edge of the cliff from the rotor tips. So Nigel has made a pretty difficult landing at my request, so that I can capture this scene.

From this angle, you can see the clouds at our elevation across the valley.

Oh boy wouldn’t I have loved to had the time to get to the Tasman Peak & Ben Ohau Mountain Range side of the valley to land the couple on the west facing ridges – but that will have to wait until next time. From that side I could get more of the turquoise hues of the glacially fed Lake Pukaki also. Just plan your destination wedding at the Luxurious Mt. Cook Hermitage Hotel and I’ll be there to make unforgettable images with you!

So as a bride which would you be satisfied with a few snapshots from the top of the mountain, or would you want something that transcended your experience? something with allegorical intent?

The image of Joel and rebecca walking on Mount Dark in New Zealand places as a Gold image in the June competition by the British Professional Photographers Association + Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers in the United Kingdom.

Look through the full results (NSFW some pages) SWPP and BPPA June 2008 Image Competition Winners

If you have a current issue of Professional Image Maker magazine, you can see Neil’s March winning image in print on page 134. 
 

 

The kids and I were in Illinois for Joel and Rebecca’s stateside reception and we were able to hang some large versions of their pictures for them in the hall. I believe Tia took this one, but it could have been Eben – they were both out shooting me as I was talking to all my family.

Rebecca’s preparation

I tie Joel’s necktie for him.

Joel awaits takeoff for his mountainside wedding.

Just one more teaser post before the full set of images are available at www.MakeLoveReal.com

Here’s a quick preview of Joel and Rebecca’s wedding photos, all my new Kiwi inlaws drop your e-mail in the comments and I’ll notify you when all the pictures are available on www.MakeLoveReal.com

Wet grass…

Smiling Dad…

A view I’ve liked for a while…

Big lush trees….

Wet rocks for skipping in blue water…

With a splash…

Antique cars on the road…

Classic New Zealand soda called Lemon & Paeroa

Tourist view on the way to Tekapo

Dad and Joel on the rocks, Mom in the foreground.

Me out from behind the camera proving I was there.

Church by the lake.

Flower beside the lake.

Father and son…

A last shot of the church as we leave for the last hour of the journey to Glentanner.

Finally arrived at Glentanner, we’re greeted with this view and we see why Joel started his first restaurant here! This picture is a good example of the indiginous term for the peak: Aoraki – the one that pierces the cloud.

Yea pretty much the same as hot as ever, yea – I’m low maintenence.

Nothing but the usual airline dramas, Qantas sent Dad’s suitcase on to Australia by mistake. Mom and I had the pleasure of witnessing a medical emergency landing in Las Vegas on our flight to LA.  Other than that, all’s well that lands well.  Dinner tonight with Joel, and overlooking the peak of Mt. Cook with the clouds blowing over and the sun setting on the snowy cap.

I just thought I’d like to take the occasion of my brother’s wedding in New Zealand to reflect on the wedding process as it’s likely the last that I’ll be ‘personally’ involved in as he’s my only brother, and most of my close friends are married already. You’ll see how much I enjoy travel, and get a taste of the my adventure to New Zealand.

I’ll be posting daily so if you’re not using a feed reader, you can subscribe to receive each new journal entry by e-mail using this link.

Yes, thank you, thank you, please hold your applause.

The site that used to host everything, got way too big, way too confusing now hosts a simple wedding portfolio, and to introduce that I’m posting a podcast version of the main gallery here, but do check in to the www.NeilCowley.com gallery and view the fullscreen, high resolution view of this show as it will certainly knock your socks off as you view the photos in high resolution clarity and brilliance.

Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes to get your mobile copy of the slideshow.

Add our site to your favorite bookmark service:

 

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I have a debt of gratitude to pay with these words. I’ve been putting off lifting this weight from my mind due to its extraordinary size. But I recently found the catalyst, a quote: “God will give much more through you than to you.”

I am truly humbled at what you (my clients) have given me this year. You have invited me into your private moments of emotion, and extended the generosity of your families to me. You have provided reason and opportunity for me to expand my artistic vision deeper into the soul of human emotion. You have contributed your lives to my lens and you have generously donated your dollars to see my manic passion. Before this gets too self centered I wanted to make clear that God has given much more through you, than your dollars as I have received a new appreciation and understanding of love and art this year. I hope that I have been an equally effective conduit for God to give my talents away to you.

Gratitude and awe,
Neil 

Naomi & Ken – November 13, 2004 – St Rose and Shadowlake Golf Club Penfield, New York

Heather & Todd – November 6, 2004 – St Francis of Assisi and Clarion Inn Niggard Falls New York

Carrie & Eric – October 23, 2004 – Geneva Presbyterian Church and Belhurst Castle Seneca Lake, NY

Christine & Jesse – October 16, 2004 – Interfaith Chapel and Crowne Plaza Ballroom Rochester, New York

Rebecca & Justin – October 15, 2004 – Annunciation and Rich’s Atrium Buffalo NY

Sarah & Jared – Oct 10, 2004 – Niagara Club, Niagara Falls New York

Chrissy & Chris – October 3, 2004 – Highland park overlook and Lilac Arches Rochester, NY

Yat Ming & Jon – October 2, 2004 – Rochester Interfaith Chapel and Daisy Flour Mill, Penfield – New York

Jackie & Brett – September 25, 2004 – St. Francis Xavier and Sherwood Inn, Skaneateles, New York

Pam & Joe – September 24, 2004 – Adam’s Mark, Grace Lutheran and Rich’s Atrium Buffalo, NY

Amy & Mike – September 18, 2004 – Hershey Country Club, Hershey PA

Sara & Tim – September 17, 2004 – The Krebs Garden and Welch Allyn Lodge Skaneateles, NY

Amy & Joe – Sept 11th, 2004 – Our Lady of Victory Basilica and Klocks Grove, Buffalo New York

Anita & Dave – Sept 5th, 2004 – Family Estate Skaneateles, New York

Cassie & Rich – Sept 4, 2004 – Saint Mary’s and Rochester Club Ballroom; Rochester, NY

Katie & Jeremy – August 28, 2004 – Letchworth State Park and Glen Iris Inn

Melissa & Anthony – August 21, 2004 – Whately Congregational Church and Delaney House, Holyoke MA

Jessica & Deron – August 20, 2003 – Wagner Vineyards, Seneca Lake New York

Michelle & Jason – August 8, 2004 – Prospect Mountain Lake George

Emily & Ryan – August 7, 2004 – Saint Louis Church and Buffalo Yacht Club

Nicole & Iain – August 1, 2004 – Grace Bible Church and The Glen Oak Country Club Amherst

Erik & Danielle – July 31, 2004 – Camp Fowler and Lake Pleasant, central Adirondacks

Amanda & Peter – July 24, 2004 – Boldt Castle Heart Island

Maureen & Eric – July 17, 2004 – Family Estate East Aurora

Sue & Mark – July 16, 2004 – Keuka College Chapel and Belhurst Castle

Christine & David – July 10, 2004 – St. Charles Borromeo and Hyatt Regency Rochester Reception

Lauren & Dan – July 3, 2004 – Saints Peter and Paul and Old Orchard Inn, East Aurora, NY

Jillian & Ben – July 2, 2004 – Clymer Hill Church and Cook Homestead, Chatauqua NY

Sara & Nick – June 26, 2004 – Nativity of Our Lord and Adam’s Mark Hotel, Buffalo, NY

Mindy & Dean – June 20, 2004 – Rich Atrium Buffalo

Staci & Mike – June 19, 2004 – University of Rochester Interfaith Chapel

Julia & Ben – June 12, 2004 – Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo New York

Ria & Jon – June 11, 2004 – St. Peter’s Church & Saratoga National Golf Club, New York

Bethany & Jarek – June 5, 2004 – St. Philip The Apostle & Samuels Grand Manor, Buffalo

Kate & Aaron – May 30, 2004 – St. Monicas Church and Genesee Valley Club, Rochester

Annique & Matt – May 22 – St. Peter & Paul Basilica – Pensylvania Academy of Art, Philadelphia PA

Marley & Chris – May 1 – Greystone Castle, Canastota NY

Amy & Chris – April 24, 2004 – Skaneateles New York

Sherrill & Tom – April 17, 2004 – Rochester New York

Wanda & Rich – Feb 14 – Syracuse New York

Wes & Dana – Jan 2 – Westchester County New York

Calendar Year 2003 Wedding Photo Essay Pages

Nate & Emily – Nov 22 – Hershey PA

Jill & Hrvoje – Nov. 1 – Silver Springs, MD

Heather & Adam – October 25 – Rochester, NY

Shawna & Matt – October 19 – Canandaigua, NY

Bethany & Chris – October 18 – Monroeville PA

Rachel & Mike – October 11 – Allegany, NY

Carissa & Mike – October 10 – Our Mother of Sorrows and Woodcliff

Stephanie & Kevin – Oct 4 – Greece NY, St. Laurence and Diplomat Party House

Bridget & Michael – Sept 13 – Saint Mary and Inn on Broadway Rochester

Carla & Josh – Sept 6 – Rochester and Webster Country Club

Meg & Gar – Aug 30 – Fenimore Art Museum – Cooperstown, NY

Kristin & Jordan – Aug 23 – family estate

Sherry & Ray – Aug 10 – Buffalo Botanical Gardens

Bethany & James – Aug 9 – West Rochester

Andrea & Luke – Aug 3 – Auburn NY

Sarah & Anjan – July 26 – Bethel Rochester

Mika & Tom – July 19 – Thousand Islands Park

Jeremy & Jennifer – June 28 – RCC and Casa Larga Vineyards

Tori & Keith – June 21 – Finger Lakes

Keri & Chris – June 14, 2003 – Chautauqua

Tim & Melissa – Jun 7, 2003 – OH

Isaac & Erin – May 3, 2003 – Houghton NY

Josh & Emily – April 26, 2003 – Canisteo NY

Chuck & Sarah – April 12, 2003 – Lancaster PA