Whirl wind weekend [and it was windy too!]

So the wedding was interesting. The couple did 'hire' a cousin on her side of the family to do the wedding photos. However, the groom's parents asked me to go ahead and shoot whatever I wanted.

This first shot is the rehearsal. 

Compare it to the wedding ceremony.

I took shots from behind the pastor.  It was fun to see the couples' face as they read their vows to each other.

Afterwards, the groom came up and asked me if I wanted some shots. I took family photos for his mom in the fall of 2018 so we do have a history together.

I told him what I'd thought of in his Grandmother's shade garden that I'd worked on the past week. He was excited about taking some shots there.

Of course as I was getting another idea together, the bride's friend came up with her pocket camera and had some ideas of her own. Note---> nothing against the pocket camera she was using, it could have actually been a very high end camera.

Friend person had some great poses and ideas for the couple. I decided to assist the other photographer and learn a few things. As she posed and talked to them, I took a few shots of my own.

My shot of the kiss by the pole barn. 

Yep, I liked it best in old 'timey' black and white.

I'm an Old Photographer so....as I was helping Friend Person, I tried to hold something for her and stay out of frame. Friend Person just quipped out "Don't worry, I'll just edit you out."

I think that comment startled me quite a bit. I'm the one that learned compose, compose, compose and watch your background. I'll just edit you out. [LOL like I don't exist!]

My guess is that wedding photography these days are heavily dependent on AI assistance. I know there is a way you can drop any subject you photo into a different background...I think.

Probably my favorite shot of the day was of the Ring Bearer.

This little girl walked down the grassy isle so carefully.  I swear, she must have held her breath for the entire walk. She took her job very seriously.

What did I learn once more at a wedding as a photographer? 

The after photos with posing are very creative. I doubt I could do it.

Plus, being bossy with people to get them to pose is a trait I don't have.

AI is the new helper. 

Bridezilla's still exist. The bride's mom was a Momzilla in a black sequined dress. 

I'll stick to nature and toys. I enjoyed the candid shots. My father was a master at candid photography.

Later on, I walked back to the shady garden and watched people from a distance. I only knew the father and mother of the groom really. 

I guess that's when it hit me that... oh yes, I was now a widow. A Widow with a capitol W. 

I went home and met up with my Grandson who just returned from fishing all day with Steve.

We watched the moon come up, chatted, and the next morning we took a nice long hike to chill out.

Joe finds...

 We are back with Joe. Do you recall Joe?

I started telling his story earlier this year: Joe

~~~~~~~

He heard about some metal relics in a ditch so he thought he'd go check that out. He may find some useful shelter. The ditch did indeed have a relic. So perhaps the fables and legends about Humans were true after all?

Joe climbs onto the relic and begins to look around when something taps his leg.

It then sits quietly and stares up at Joe.

What the?

Joe reaches down and feels an instant connection. Something in his body suddenly feels quite warm. He isn't sure what it is.

He starts to walk back towards the forest and....

well....

Hmmm.

He feels more warmth in his body. It seems to spread as the little...um, dog seems to be following him.
Maybe this world won't be so bad after all? This warmth under his coat isn't just from his coat.
He isn't sure what it is, however it feels pretty good.

Joe and Dog wake up to the world turning white and snow falling down. Joe grabs his pack and thinks perhaps he and Dog need some better shelter.

Dog walks up and drops a stick.

Joe stares at it.

Dog hops up and down.

Joe picks up the stick. He heads to the woods.

He sighs as Dog brings him more and more sticks.

Dog seems to make his lonely life more bearable. Dog seems to know what he wants without him having to say a word.

Is this what caused the  warmth under his skin? This odd feeling he has never had before?

~~~~~~~ 
I was going to work more on this but have kept putting it off with the snowstorms and extreme cold weather.

I had an inkling that Joe and Dog were on the track to become great friends. I bet they've holed up right now and are keeping warm someplace....

More Joe and Dog adventures coming along soon enough....