Hands and the Love They Show
When my grandmother died a few years ago, I was struck by her hands. I had a flood of memories of all the things her hands had done for me, and how much mine were starting to look like hers. It was a quick cell phone picture that I lost when my phone stopped working. I had never taken the time to print it. I won't get on my soapbox about printing your images and not letting them just live on a drive, disk, or phone, but it was a sad day when that phone broke and so many memories were lost because of my foolishness.
Fast-forward to my wedding photography now. I'm obsessed with people's hands. I watch them all day. Securing buttons on dresses. Placing earrings. Tying belts. Straightening ties. Carrying bouquets. Giving and receiving rings. Holding hands. Holding faces. Cutting cake. Patting little heads. Wiping tears. Embracing. Praying. Blessing. Loving.
Look at the hands of the people in your lives. Remember them and all the things they've done for you. And how much you were loved by them.
A bride gets ready at The Langham, in Chicago. Her bridesmaid ties the final bow on her dress after zipping her in.
The bride's mother secures her last few buttons on her lace dress at Hampton Inn & Suites in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
Sparkly heels are fastened on a bride at a downtown Chicago hotel.
A groom buttons his jacket on his suit, custom made for his wedding, in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
A bride holds a bouquet made of a mix of white flowers with green accents at her Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes wedding.
A groom wearing a french-cuff shirt and cufflinks reads a sentimental note from his bride on his wedding day at a downtown Chicago hotel.
A groom embraces his bride during their first look just before their Catholic ceremony in a Chicago suburb.
A groom plays violin before his wedding ceremony, while waiting for his bride at Floating World Gallery.
A bride and groom hold hands during their Catholic ceremony at Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness, Illinois.
A bride and groom exchange rings at Trinity Church in Highland Park, Illinois.
A priest blesses rings at a Catholic ceremony at St. Matthew Church in Glendale Heights, Illinois.
A groom kneels in prayer with his groomsmen during a Catholic ceremony in the Chicago suburbs.
A bride and groom light a unity candle during their Catholic wedding ceremony at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Streamwood, Illinois.
The brides holds a paten, filled with Eucharistic bread, during communion at their Catholic wedding ceremony.
Hands raised in prayer, blessing the newly weds, at a Catholic ceremony northwest Indiana.
Dark blue bridesmaid dresses contrast the pastel bouquets held by the bridal party.
A ring-bearer carrying a hand-painted sign during the recessional reads, "Don't worry ladies, we're still single!"
During the formal bridal photos, a bride and groom show off their new wedding rings.
A bartender pours a row of shots for the groomsmen to toast their newly married friend, the groom, before the reception in Palatine, Illinois, at The Cotillion.
A bride and groom cut their cake at their reception at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
A bridal party raises their glasses to toast the newlyweds at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
