I drove past Colin three times looking for a parking spot in Shockoe Slip.   I did not know this at the time. At the time, I was too concerned that someone else would steal a spot that was rightfully mine.   It was still rush hour and this was becoming an anxious thing – this search for a parking spot.   In the end I did the only logical thing; I parked illegally.

As it was, Colin and I had to wait while Christine moved their car to a deck.   She was not as comfortable as I when it came to her spot.   Some people like to follow the rules.

We were down to shoot a little hybrid engagement/promo shoot for Dransfield Jewelers. Christine and Colin were being featured in the shop’s Richmond Greatest Love Story Contest – where the front window of the shop featured their story.
And, as love stories go, it is a pretty good one (as a wedding photographer, I am privy to quite a few love stories) – full of life plans changed at the last minute, real dramatic twists and massive personal challenges met directly and calmly.
It is a difficult thing to photograph people who are strangers.  I have probably mentioned this in the past, so forgive me if this sounds like a complaint – it is definitely not.  But, it bears repeating.  Few people want to have their picture taken. Everyone wants a great picture of themselves – whether they admit it or not.  That one, elusive images that shows them as they see themselves in their mind’s eye.  So, it can be a challenge to develop a relationship quickly with someone, so that you can get them to hopefully drop their defenses enough to allow them to show through.  Is it brain surgery? No, of course not, but some people can keep those defenses up a maddeningly long time.

Not Christine and Colin.  They were as relaxed and (this is exceedingly important for me) damn funny. Seemingly within moments we were laughing and like friends already.  They are two people who seem wonderfully comfortable in their own skins – and were thus a real pleasure to work with.

If you have the time, come down to Shockoe Slip and visit Dransfields (a really great little jewelry shop, and the last independent one in Downtown Richmond.   See the window display dedicated to Christine and Colin and find out their story.   It is more impressive than my meager words can credit.   Oh, and I would be guilty of many sins if I did not give credit to the fantastic window display design by Ivy Harris of Jessica Ivy Boutique.   She is more talented and tireless than I can adequately credit.

Now, where did I park my car?