Words and Light

I’ve already alluded in this blog to the fact that I’m not the girliest girl. That said, I absolutely love weddings — and wedding dresses.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Bridal consultant Amanda Bauer helps Katy Kennedy of Savannah into a dress in Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique in Roswell on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Kennedy's wedding will be in Charleston next summer.

Yesterday, I followed four soon-to-be military brides as they tried on wedding dresses that they would receive for free, thanks to the Brides Across America program. Each girl was completely thrilled about her dress, and photographing that excitement was a real pleasure.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Leah Owens (center) looks at a dress brought to her by bridal consultant Amanda Bauer (right) as Owens' 3-year-old daughter Alissa and soon-to-be mother-in-law Rebecca Wood (left) observe, in Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique in Roswell on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Owens, who is six months pregnant with her and her fiance's second daughter, had to make sure her dress could be altered to fit after she gives birth in November.

A side note. I’m finding myself increasingly attracted — as a photographer — to “girl culture” with every “girly” assignment I complete. (Bra-fitting, makeup session, hair salon and now this.) Having pored through her books during downtime when I did work-study at the journalism library, I know photographer Lauren Greenfield has covered this area extensively. But the culture of femininity is very much a fascinating thing to me, especially since I don’t understand it very well — and I hope I can develop something out of it.

If you have any suggestions or feedback or anything, I’d love to hear what you’d like to share!