Riley and Jim Bridals

“Jim and I  met when I moved to his high school. We were very close friends for 6 years before we started dating. We were in a long distance relationship for two years while I was away going to  college,  He surprised me with a proposed on graduation day.”

 

I love this brief timeline of their story.

 It reminds me of our story.

My hubby and I met in high school, were friends for about 5 years

with 2 years of a long distance relationship

and then 18 months later were married.

 

Bridals of Riley and Jim at the Great Saltair was one of my grandest adventures.  It was a true adventure in the fact that none of us had ever been there before.  I usually spot out the location the night before but I arrived fresh as a stranger looking around for a place to work.  Shortly they met me there and we decided on a place that was easiest for Riley to walk to with her dress and heals for the first look!

 

I love the idea of reading each others letter right before the first looks.

  I was  fun to be  a fly on the wall to such sweet and tender emotions

which were perfect to set the tone for the rest of the session.

I

 

 

 

 

After the first looks and playing on the rocks, we made our way to the large salty beach just to the right of the

Great Saltair and it was full of people ready to enjoy a gorgeous sunset.

We made our way past a wedding party, other photo groups and people enjoying  the open air.  The light was strong but as we created memories, the sun dipped and the softness that I  had waited for all evening was finally upon us.

Working with light is magical as it folds and bends and comes to shine

through parts of the images that would otherwise be dull and drab.

The  white salty earth acted as a reflector so I didn’t even have to pull mine out of my bag.

We did use it to reign in the rays that were too bright.

 

 

As we were finishing up the session and we were walking back to the parking lots, I turned around and saw 3 large Chinese lanterns floating up into the dusky dark glow that was meeting the light.  It was one of those moments that you want to freeze in time and remember forever.  I will remember this night on the salty shores with Riley and Jim for a long time.  It was such a privilege to be a part of their celebration of love.  They are such a sweet couple and I couldn’t be happier for them.