Brittany + Pat, Fox Harb’r Wedding

I’d like to think that when push comes to shove and a life was in danger, either mine or those around me, that I would swing into action a la every hero in a Quentin Tarantino movie and save the day. A victim of a few recent scare pranks wherein I screamed like a little girl and ran, would seem to prove otherwise, however, I hold out hope.

So what about behind the camera. Am I true to my craft insofar as to get the shot all any expense? Would I photograph the starving child or scare away the vulture? Who am I behind the camera?

Everything was going great at a recent wedding at Fox Harb’r. We were out playing in the setting sun with Pat + Brittany. We had loads of time, incredible light and everyone was having a blast.

“Just go back to the road and then walk toward me, along the rocks.” I said. Steph shot at a 90 degree angle to me, into the water and we both shot as Pat and Brittany walked a slow walk, holding hands and laughing.

“WHOA” is the word I hear coming from Pat as Brittany’s body contorts and they’re no longer walking. They’re dancing and I didn’t ask them to do that, nor does they look like they wants to be danc…..oh SHIT, Brittany is slipping!

Brittany grabs Pat’s arm. They laugh nervously as they regain their footing and my heart skips a beat as we narrowly avoided a huge disast….oh FUCK now they’re BOTH slipping.

…and this is where I learned who I was behind a camera.

There is a pause in the photos. 8 seconds where I didn’t shoot. I stopped, put the camera down and looked at Steph who was leaping through the air to help them. Everyone was was vertical and Steph was on her way to help as I watched this slow motion slide…down…into…the…Northumberland Strait.

Panic. Fear. More Panic. How deep is the water they’re about to fall into? Why is this happening to Pat + Brittany? Why is this happening to us…AGAIN!? (we once lost a beautiful tipsy bride to a tipsy canoe, check it out here: The Turning Point Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shoot. Shoot it. Shoot it. Everyone is ok. Shoot it. Get the shot!

I can’t hide from the truth. It took me 8 seconds to decide that everyone was going to be more or less ok, that I can’t get from here to there in enough time to help…and we’re all going to want to see photos of this…so I’m going to shoot this until you come to a damp stop.

Pat, you sir, are proof that chivalry is not dead. You took the fall, you got soaked, you saved your damsel in distress and laughed through it the whole time. Brittany, this could have gone a lot of ways and you’re hilarious laughter made this a moment we will not soon forget. You’re a living, breathing example of how laid back a bride should be on her wedding day. The fall worried us more than it worried you. Steph, the evidence shows you will go to any length for our clients and I’m not even mad that you didn’t get the shot, bro! HoldFast Gear, you can officially add ‘Life Saving Gear’ to your long list of uses for photographers. You helped us out of a very slippery situation.