A Royal Wedding

This morning I got up at 4am to fly down to London for the Royal Wedding. I had debated long with myself about going - I've got a lot on and it would make busy things busier - but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to go, simply to stand there in a flag-waving crowd and join in the cheers as a nation celebrated a fairytale wedding.

First, I'm a wedding photographer. Any wedding thrills me, right down to the detail, and a wedding of this magnificence is heavy on detail and beauty.

Second, I'm an American citizen who just became a British citizen last year. I love the feeling of a national event, and I must admit, of a royal family. I know I come from America, whose founders fled these shores and rid themselves of royalty right quickly, but as Mike Cosper points out, it's not the idea of a king that bothers so much, it's the desire for a good king.  Even the Covenanters had no problem respecting the king; they simply recognised that he was subject to a greater King, and held him to account when he failed to remember that.

And that brings me, to, thirdly, the appeal of these two items together: a Royal Wedding. Because whether the general populus knows it or not, there is a Great Wedding, coming at 'the end of the age', and that will be between Christ and His church.

It did disappoint me a bit, earlier in the week as I read comments on blogs and Facebook and elsewhere, the number of people in this country who were pretty annoyed, frustrated, ticked off, or grumpy about this wedding. Yes, they have plenty to say about politics and government and royalty, but I felt (being a new citizen) that this is our country, and this is a national day of celebration. (Heck, we all got given the day off!)  I guess what is the hardest for me about the complaints is that they are about something that is so beautiful. I'm passionate about beauty. I see it, as this blog title indicates, everywhere. And on a day like this, with custom made gowns and ornate carriages and high church ceilings and marching guards, beauty is everywhere. It's positively sparkling.

 So it feels like a major crime to me to fail to celebrate beauty when it's truly there. People do the same with God and His beauty, too. He sends the sun, they find it too hot. The rain is too wet. The wind, the snow...last Christmas I saw sparkling diamonds everywhere, and many people around me only seemed to see an extra half hour's walk, and an inability to buy two loaves of bread even though their cupboards were full.  There are so many who insist on being grumpy and angry about anything in their lives. Whereas I insist upon seeing beauty everywhere, I insist on seeing God Himself.  Not always easy (and I most certainly get it wrong myself at times). But oh, what beauty is there to be seen, if only you will open your eyes!

So yes, there is a Greater Wedding coming one day. There will be many lining the streets. The Bible says that the great city, the 'new Jerusalem', will be 'adorned as a bride for her husband'. (What a view we got of that today.) And there will also be the haters. Many who say, 'He is no King', and 'We should (or can) rule ourselves'.  They not only refuse to enter into the joy, but they can't.  And I saw that today. Those who were grumpy or frustrated about the wedding didn't go - and those who were excited formed the whole crowd of flag-waving, cheering, happy, friendly, joyful citizens who enjoyed the day from start to finish.

Including me. 

Mary Zalesny Mulligan, 1914-2009

Today is the 7th of December. That means it's Pearl Harbour Day, and 18 days to Christmas Day, and my grandmother's birthday.

Recently, Grams went to be with her Saviour (and mine! - so I rejoice that I will see her again soon). I was in the States to attend her memorial service, and I'd like to honour her by sharing a few photographs with you of this amazing woman.

(Naturally, I didn't take any of these, except the last one!)

She was an airline stewardess...


...a beautiful airline stewardess!!...(this is the photo she sent my grandfather while they were writing letters. Needless to say, he sent back a wedding ring.)


She was a nurse...
...the wife of another amazing person, the irrepressible Bill Mulligan...

...and an example and encouragement to me.


I am missing her today.

Mary Zalesny Mulligan - 7 December 1914 to 2 October 2009

Sunshine On My Shoulders

Here's the second of the family shoots I did recently. This one was in Phoenix, Arizona (USA!) - where the only challenge weather-wise is, which spot of shade should we choose?

Because in a place where the sun comes out every day, you just can't go wrong with a little bit of laughter...

...some silliness...
...a precious moment or two...
...and just plain cuteness.


...It all adds up to one happy family!

Thanks, guys, for a great day in the sun!

Best Days Of Our Lives

This month I had the privilege of doing several family photo shoots in the good ol' US of A! This first shoot was done in Sedona, Arizona.

Sometimes everything just works out perfectly - the lighting...

...the grins on the little faces...


...the relaxed atmosphere...

...and the love.


Now that's a beautiful family!

(I'm sure glad I'm related to them!)

KISS wedding albums

My supplier for wedding albums, KISS (because they Keep It Simple,...) recently delivered some mini-albums for me. I immediately rang up my clients and they came rushing over to pick them up, and here is Carol and Mark's response to their little mini-album! (They were so excited we had to prepare an impromptu video.)



Carol and Mark are now excitedly awaiting their large 10x10 album and a few other mini albums for family and friends!

Water Water Everywhere

Recently I was driving back home through South Ayrshire and was just captivated by light on water. Within the space of about two hours, I saw such a variety of colours and changing patterns that I had to stop and capture some of them.

First there was the view of Ailsa Craig. (This involved pulling over at the side of the road and clambering down a scree of stones, then climbing up on a huge rock for just the right angle.)

Even while I was standing there, the light changed every moment. The sun went behind the clouds, and then came out again, turning this...

...to this:I turned to the left and got this...

...and then to the right for this one.

The sun continued to streak across the sky as I drove, and as I neared Ayr I realised that I would be driving just past the beach at sunset. After six wrong turns (no lie), and almost going the wrong way on a one-way street, I raced across the sands to capture these:


...and then the sun started to fade completely, so I took a last shot and walked back to the car.

And then realised I'd lost my car keys in the sand.

Do you think the shots were worth it, though?



(I did find them. A good bit of searching and a ton of prayer.)

It's All About The Numbers

If you've been following me on Facebook, you will be aware that I have a new lens for my Canon camera.

For you non-photographers, that's one of those 'oh, that's nice' statements, that doesn't really mean a whole lot to you. Especially if I add that it's a Canon 50mm f1.4 prime lens - now you're really bored.

But let me educate you, not using numbers, but using pictures. My new camera (EOS 40D, in case you wanted the numbers there) has nine focus points. 'So what?' you say. Well, watch this. I focus on the book...

...or the green shirt.

The smiling face in front of me...


...or the one just behind. (It's just the one eye that does that.)

Many of you know I used to be an accountant (still am a CPA, come to think of it), so I guess it makes a little sense that the numbers mean something. But the important thing is that when you put the right lens numbers with the right camera number, you can capture beauty.

Which is what I love to do.