Syracuse University campus engagement photos by Liesl Cowley

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I photographed this engagement shoot back in June and Neil designed this awesome signature journal from the images!  Lindsay & Mike were married on 11/8/08, wedding images soon to follow!

Observing is one of my favorite pastimes. I am so fortunate to be a photographer, these two things go hand in hand. I love how naturally elegant a bride is when she holds her veil over her arm.

I like how the blue light in the kitchen contrasts with her pink toenail polish.

I adore how the mother starts crying when she is simply explaining how easily she has been crying of late.

I like witnessing people open tender cards.

And I LOVE capturing the fun expressions a bride may make moments before opening a new pair of diamond earrings . . .

I like seeing reflections in wood.

I love how nervous guys can be with a woman photographer around. No matter how small and quiet I may be.

I love how poised a bride can be, just before her ceremony.

I adore fathers with their daughters, nothing is more precious. I also like coordinators who try to hide behind brides, it’s so amusing.

I love green, there can never be too much of it.

Kisses that are overpowered by ear to ear smiles.

I like grooms that cannot stop kissing.

And brides that cannot stop smiling.

I love it when the light is playful.

And when the windows play along.

I adore that no matter what crazy expressions are made during an emotional toast, it will always seem beautiful to me.

I love couples that hold hands.

And enjoy the sunset.

Yes, I like all those little things. And that is why I LOVE photographing weddings.

Amanda & Ryan, thank you so much for letting me observe all those little things that I love so much! You two were wonderful hosts!

-Liesl Cowley

The WPJA awarded my photo from New Zealand 4th place in it’s quarterly awards:

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.

What is with the WPJA? 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? To my experience this goes to strengthen the stereotype that ‘photojournalistic’ images are ’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?

We thought you might like to know, we are migrating south! Love is a destination, and we plan to take it with us! You may have noticed some blog posts lately from the North Carolina area, that is where we are headed! Still available for travel world wide, but we will call Charlotte, NC our new home by the end of the summer.

So I had the pleasure of shooting a wedding in Pinehurst, NC at the Fair Barn on May 3! Kristen & Mark were excellent hosts, as was their family!

Kristen smiles at the ring bearer before the official hand-off!

Mark wipes a tear during ceremony music.

Kristen is like the 23 year old version of Emma Thompson! She is so adorable!

Click below to see a smashing good time at this colorful southern affair!