Thailand Wedding/Tipp and Nan

One of the things I enjoy most about my profession is the fun people I meet.  Not just here locally, but all over the world.  My wife Nanette and I spent the last week of our honeymoon/holiday in Thailand capturing our friends wedding in Chang Rai.  You may recognize Nan, the bride from my last years “Best Wedding Portrait” and “Judges Choice” award presented by Professional Photographers of Oregon.  In that shoot she had that dress made in two days for fun, but ended up adding to it for her real wedding this year.   Seriously a dress fit to perfection in two days.  Gotta love Thailand!!!

So we started out in southern Thailand on a island called Phi Phi to shoot their engagement on the white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and western night life.   Nanette and I both agreed that Phi Phi is a for sure return destination for us.  After a brilliant session there (seen under engagements) we flew up north to Chang Mai, jumped on a bus and skirted over to Chang Rai where we did a cultural Thai session at the “Kings Mother’s Garden.”  After already wearing the wedding party’s smiles out we still had the all day wedding to attack the next day.  Everyone was amazing though, their smiles stilled worked just fine.  Mark, we miss you man!    The next morning we arrived at  a nice little church in the country surrounded by farm land and kids in the streets riding their bikes with their huge never forgettable smiles.  I think one of my favorite sequences of images captured during this trip was of Nan and Tipp honoring their mothers by washing their feet.  The shot of Nan so close to her mothers feet in honor is bone chilling especially in Thai culture.  Lowering your head to another’s feet is of super high respect and honor.  Seeing such respect gave me a lump in my throat when I first reviewed these images.  Even though I love the modern shots we got at the “Meridian” where we did the wedding party lunch, still the honoring shots rock me the most.
Nanette and I were blessed beyond words.  This was my fourth time to Thailand and Nanette’s first time out of the country.  She loved it just as much as I always do.  Nan and Tipp, thank you so much for the opportunity to share your wedding experience and to Bumbim for helping us get around Thailand.  We can’t wait to come back.  Thanks guys, enjoy the shots.

Ean and Nanette