Emily + Eric | Leesburg, Virginia wedding photojournalism photography

I have been a huge fan of Eric Laurits for years.  He never ceases to amaze me.  I thought I knew all the things that made him impressive.  I know that is a great photographer.  I know that he runs barefoot.  I know he is hilarious and even writes his own songs to accompany his photo slideshows.  I also know he can shoot naked.  More on that later.  So the day his wife to be Emily e-mailed me to ask if I would photograph their wedding in Leesburg, Virginia  I was both truly honored and truly intimidated.

Upon arrival in Virginia those anxious feelings were immediately laid to rest by Emily and Eric.  These two people are the type of people you want in your life.  I had never met Emily but you would have not known the way she came up to me and gave me a huge hug.  Eric met me with the same enthusiasm even though we have not seen each other for almost two years.  Feeling like a member of the family made documenting this event even more special than it was.   I met Eric some 3 or 4 years ago at Roots Workshop in Cape Cod.  He was a student and I a teacher at the workshop and I immediately saw his zest for life and confidence when he gladly accepted an assignment to photograph a nudist colony.  We quickly became friends and proceeded to see each other once a year on the cape as part of the workshop.  It was then that I learned of all of his talents and attributes.  I thought I knew the real Eric.  Until I witnessed him commit to Emily.  They chose to have a very intimate wedding of only close friends and family in their backyard in Virginia.  It was here that I was able to see both Eric and Emily thrive in their own environment.  To be able to witness people in their home surrounded by those closest to them is a privilege.  Eric was an amazing human being before this wedding.  Factor in Emily’s amazing heart and mind and these two are untouchable and I was honored to be asked to be the one to document that.

The weekend started out with a casual BBQ at a local park by their house including some good old fashioned fun with balsa wood rubber band airplanes that are manufactured in Eric’s hometown.

Emily getting help with her dress. 

Eric getting ready upstairs. 

Keeping eye on the progress out back. 

Emily and Eric and have two dogs that look identical.  Loki and Odin are more children than dogs and were excited the entire day with the flurry of activity. 

Saying family is important to Emily and Eric would a huge understatement.  Family is everything to them.  So much so that Emily gave Eric a framed graphically designed family tree as her gift to him.  Here Emily’s dad hugs her before walking her down the aisle. 

The officiants were two close friends of both Emily and Eric. 

The symbolic lighting of “flame” during the ceremony did not go as planned. 

I love this moment.  Eric overwhelmed with how beautiful his bride looks. 

Hugging Eric’s mom at the end of the ceremony. 

The signing of the Ketuba. 

Emily’s dad gives an emotional toast. 

Time for some fast portraits while the light was good. 

One of my favorite images.  Eric wanted a moment to make a portrait of his bride on their wedding day.  I love the way she is looking at him. 

Eric was brave and had a table set out with all of his cameras for the guests to use.  In addition, they all had their guests play “Rainbow Connection” on toy kazoo’s as they walked down the aisle. 

They hand made everything at their wedding including sewing the napkins.

The only two people that danced at the reception.  They heard the song they danced to at their wedding on the ipod and shared a dance in the corner of the tent. 

The evening came to a close with relaxation by the fire for everyone. 

Eric with his entire family sharing a laugh.  My type of family portrait. 

Love this moment I found  while going into the house of Eric’s mom.

Emily waiting for her moment at Eric’s photobooth. 

End of the night in their kitchen going over the list of to-do’s for the next days planned walk/run. 

The E squared 5k. 

To see the multi-media slideshow of the day go here- www.wirkenphoto.net/emily+eric