A couple of days ago, our city has slowly eased some restrictions which had kept us inside our houses for what seemed like forever. In some areas, a pass is still required to go around but most businesses have already opened, a good number of people have gone back to work, and it seems like we’re heading towards what remains of 2020.
For their part, the Catholic church has laid out guidelines for baptisms, weddings and other religious gatherings. The highlight of which is that they are limiting the number of people who can attend. This means that majority of the upcoming events are going to be small or what most refer to as an intimate gathering.
While I agree with the idea that an event with only a handful of people can be considered as intimate, I believe there’s more to it than just mere headcount. In the case of weddings, whether it was attended by over a hundred people or just by family and close friends, I always approach each one with an absolute respect for its intimacy. I consider photographing these events a privilege, because in my opinion, the idea of two people deciding against all odds to spend the rest of their lives together is as intimate as it can get.
So on a wedding day, I try my best to not get in the way. I will be there but only to capture the stories that unravel by themselves because I take it to heart that meddling with how things should be only messes up what truly is an intimate affair. Maybe I’ll take a picture of you here and there, and perhaps I’ll ask you to hold hands and look at each other with intent, but we will end the day just the same. You writing your story, and myself letting the universe know how it all transpired.
