McLeod House Studios

Life moves so fast.  In my mind, there is no doubt that moving so fast affects our cultural view of beauty.  Unless something is fast, fierce, fabulous, or fashion-forward it somehow loses visual appeal in our culture.

Just a few weeks ago, I photographed a wedding in Virginia Beach that challenged this aesthetic.  It was a much-needed reminder for me that beauty doesn’t have to be fast and fierce. Beauty can also be peaceful, innocent, and even simple.

I met Heather and Jay, the bride and groom, several months ago.  They immediately struck me as kind and uncomplicated, and obviously completely in love.  After Heather and I became Facebook friends, I found a photo album of her acrylic on canvas paintings.  It quickly became clear from her work that she is a thoughtful artist.  Pieces called 19 Assaults to Your Self-Esteem, and Put On Your Face indicated to me an appreciation for the countless ways in which our “fast” culture has negatively influenced our ideas of what is beautiful.  I also came across a painting called Pioneer Meadow. It is a beautiful windswept landscape that uses a natural palette of mostly blues, grays, and browns.

Later, when Heather described the theme of her wedding as “country church,” I thought back to Pioneer Meadow and, in light of this piece of artwork, the theme made perfect sense.  The wedding was to be a celebration of love, simplicity, intimate connections, and careful details.

(To view more photos, see our FB wall album called Heather and Jay’s Wedding at McLeod House Studios).

The ceremony took place at Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach.  It is one of the oldest Methodist congregations in America, established in 1789, whose first two ministers preached on horseback.  The original structure had only three rows of pews, was lit by kerosene lamps that hung from the ceiling, and included a slave balcony.  In 1908, the slave balcony was removed, while wood floors, stained glass, new pews, lights, and a bell tower were added.  (http://tabernaclevb.org)

When I visited the church to assess the lighting, I met Pastor Davis, who directed me to just call him “Jack.”  He gave me a tour, along with a brief history of the church.  To a pastor, this church was an obvious historic and community treasure.  To a photographer, it was a visual one. Warm tones resonated from the wood floors and pews, and the stained glass windows allowed for ample natural light, and provided an arched visual that could potentially compliment my composition.

On the wedding day, I tuned my camera to the simple details, whether it was photographing the gown against the church’s wood paneling or posing Heather and Jay in a peaceful embrace.

In my post-production, I kept the “country church” theme in mind and added custom edits to reflect the overall mood of the wedding.

From beginning to end, this experience refreshed my visual perspective.  While I can appreciate many of our cultural views of beauty, I was reminded there also remains a place — within my art and in culture at large — to celebrate simple beauty.

To view more photos, see our wall album called Heather and Jay’s Wedding at McLeod House Studios on Facebook

Our entire portfolio can be seen at our website: McLeod House Studios

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Beauty Equation User Laynna

The Beauty Equation … A very Inspiring work Written by A World Famous Model & Fashion Photographer Mr. Nigel Barker. Who unknowingly wrote another Story about four Friends, four Manila Girls with the same Passion and love for Him. And, a life long friendship for the four of us. Before Nigel & His Team landed in Manila for the book signing, the BE face book page was already buzzing with fans like myself excited to meet him at last. I started posting whatever was in my Mind at the very moment. And, gotten loads of likes and comments of LET’S MEET UP! from fellow fans. But there were 3 young ladies who got my attention. Quesa Caidic, Vanessa Del Carmen & Supercalifragilistic Expialidocious… These three young ladies whom I was excited the most of meeting. By the end of the night, we ruled the page with full of comments. We had fun like we’ve known each other for ages. Since they were far away from greenbelt, we never gotten a chance to meet up. I went to Greenbelt ; they went the next day to Trinoma.

Last April 14, 2011 Greenbelt Book Signing that was supposed to start at 6pm I was there by 2:30pm. I never left the venue. I had to buy Another Book for the Book Signing. So, all I the patience’s was rewarded when I got more than I what I thought I would which is Mr. Barker Remembering my Face & My Name. As I got home and excitedly posted photos, it was the three of them who were the first to congratulate, commented and cheered for me. In returned telling them to get there early and looking forward to their photos. While the BE page was exploding from Photos & thankful fans the friendship of the four of us grew. It was been almost five months since Nigel Left Manila … some fans went silent but the four of us never did. We still communicate, we text, we comment on each others face book accounts or even call each other. Just recently after endless attempts of adding myself into Nigel’s authentic face book account, I met a new friend and one of the contributors of BE ONE. Whom I fondly call Mommy Chrissy Varey. Who told me not to stop trying. A day after she told me this on a Monday morning, Friend request accepted! And again, my Sisters cheered for me. Took a chance and FRIEND SUGGESTED them to Nigel’s account. And just yesterday when I got home from work opened my face book and found loads of cheerful sisters thanking me and of course Nigel because Nigel added them. I was so happy, I treated them like my younger sisters since I’m older than them, I didn’t want to leave them. I just had to take a chance and again as I always say, PATIENCES IS A VIRTUE. Nigel, you made a book and a story of friendship. You will always be the center of this friendship. You will always be our DADA NIGEL. Thank you! We are looking forward to your next visit in manila. And hopefully by then you will meet the four of us all at the same time.