My cousin’s wedding 

models: Rae & Kai Chiu chuck & family

creative directed and shot by maia feruzi

sunday dec 29th 11am-5pm

📍kingston, jamaica

shot on canon eos rebel t3i 18-24mm, 70-300mm

concept

I usually shy away from weddings. It’s an extremely important day, and no matter how much you practice it there are always bound to be things that don’t go exactly as planned. With so much riding on it, I fear being the one to fall short of capturing the magic of the day. You can’t exactly tell the bride to re-do her walk down the aisle if you don’t get the perfect shot. That’s really scary especially to someone like me who’s a perfectionist with their work. However when my cousin asked me to be the photographer for her wedding, I agreed. It’s a skill I’ve honed for years and if I could use it to capture one of the best days of my cousin’s life, I’d be overjoyed to. That being said, things did not go exactly as planned.

Certain guests showed up late, which pushed hair and makeup back, which pushed back the ceremony, so by the time it all started it was unfortunately raining. A consistent drizzle that required the ceremony itself to be rushed so as not to ruin the bride and grooms outfits, or have the wedding guests sat in the rain either. This meant that folks were double timing it down the aisle, and the bride herself was obviously a little miffed about the circumstances which periodically showed in her face. We’re human. I’d be irritated as well. And as someone who wears her emotions directly on her face, it wouldn’t be hard to tell. Thankfully my cousin wanted me to take photos of not just the ceremony and reception but the process of getting ready as well. In doing so, I was able to create and capture what feels like two different stories.

The main story everyone is familiar with is the slow motion, tear stained drama that is the ceremony itself. Walking down the aisle, eyes filled with excitement and hearts bursting with love, it’s a story we all know well. The second story that is not so widely told and most certainly differs union to union, is the tale of getting ready. The nerves and excitement bubbling up and infecting everyone until soft smiles live in the curve of every mouth. Feet tap to invisible beats and we all move with the certainty of a happy ending. These were the emotions I hoped to capture as I flitted here and there around the mountainside house, watching as a dream slowly came true.

When Rae gave me her shot list she emphasized not only the typical ceremony and staple wedding party photos, she also wanted to document the process of getting ready. From hair and makeup details to fun shots of the family getting ready to celebrate the love between her and her husband. When I took those shots, I focused on capturing minute details of the day be it the lace of dress, the designs in the hair or the loving act of her shaving her mother in laws eyebrows. I also edited those photos differently, emphasizing the red undertones and covering it with grain to give the a documentary style look. I really wanted you to be able to feel the excitement and love that was present throughout the day in these images. I also made sure to grab portraits of the groomsmen, bridesmaids, and family closest to the bride and groom; I wanted to make sure the faces of the community that had gathered to celebrate were remembered as well.

When it came to the typical wedding party photos the rain had started to downpour and we could unfortunately no longer be outside. Always one to adapt, I had already scouted a lovely corner on the deck earlier that was rimmed with flowers and had a simple enough backdrop it wouldn’t take away from the wedding party. I crowded the guests into the small corner on the deck and did the best I could to capture everyone without them getting wet and before the sun set. For these photos the edits were simpler and focused on making the shots as crisp, clean, and bright as possible as opposed to trying to add storytelling elements. Overall I think I captured the story of two people in love coming together in union whilst celebrated by their closest companions. I hope you enjoy viewing their magic!