Swept Away

bay area photographer couples engagement photography olive grove sun light

Literally.
The wind was howling.
On the ridge, it was goose-flesh cold.
Hair was everywhere.
This way and that.
What to do?
Go with the flow.
Magic will happen.
Always does.
Click.

bay area photographer couples engagement photography mountains swept away

But enough about the wind.
Let’s start in the Starting place:
With a man and his beard—glorious—
Who came a-walking from North Carolina.

bay area photographer couples engagement photography mountains behold the man

Something—or rather someone—
Caught his eye.
Look at that radiant smile!
Evidently, she was stoked to see him.

bay area wilderness couples engagement photography photographer mountains white dress in distance

Instead of exchanging pleasantries,
They did what most Louisianians and North Carolinians do:
They started dancing as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

bay area photographer couples engagement photography mountains dance

Afterwards, they settled down and hung out.

 

Now let’s return to the wind.
It continued to blow hard.
So we hit the road for calmer environs.
We found an olive grow in Los Altos Hills.
That’s right: an olive grove.
I smiled, they smiled.
We all smiled on our good fortune.

bay area photographer couples engagement photography olive grove smiles

But marriage is life.
And life is never only smiles.
So we played with expressionless faces.
No, this prompt won’t appeal to everyone.
But ambiguity is fascinating.
Neither happy nor sad.
Maybe even slightly bemused.
Ambiguity is an ink-blot with many readings.

 

Still, no matter what you see,
An unscripted moment is an occasion for joy…

 

Or a smooch…

bay area photographer couples engagement photography olive grove kiss

Or the touching of foreheads.

 

Sometimes when things go sideways,
And you’re blown off the ridge,
Something unexpected—and amazing—happens.

bay area photographer couples engagement photography olive grove sun light

Ahhhh, magic!

Contact me for kids, teens, couples, family, and corporate photography in the Bay Area.

Published by Kevin Neilson

Kevin Neilson is a professional photographer and creative visual artist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kevin provides headshot, family, brand, lifestyle, landscape, and senior portrait photography services to individuals and families in California and Utah and to businesses worldwide. He specializes in candid realism that captures the warmth and authenticity of his subjects. His clients include authors, executives, models, doctors, speakers, lawyers, families, agencies, and Fortune 50 companies. When Kevin’s not working, he’s spending time with his family or backpacking in the High Sierras. He has a black belt in Cormac McCarthy. For testimonials, please visit my Yelp and Google business listings.

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