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Caron & Steve - Sunday 17th January 2010
Drafted 20th January 2010. Approved by family for publishing 21st January 2010.
Today I received the news that Steve Brill had passed away. Only 3 days ago I photographed his and Caron's wedding at their home in NW London. Caron and her dynamic, sweet and beautiful family arranged 2 wedding services - one Registrar and one Rabbi, catering, flowers, cake, dress, makeup, hair, shoes, shiny shiny shoes and more love than a big box of lovely lovely love. Add to that all the other stuff that normally takes 18 months to procure done in one week. No wonder they were exhausted.
The images taken that day (by everyone - not just me) are by definition highly intimate, powerful and poignant. Despite me being welcomed like some long lost son, at times I felt I was invading the privacy of this exceptional family. I wanted to make sure I could produce images that Steve would love too and was thankfully able to deliver them back to him and Caron some 20 hours later.
Those images are private and will only be uploaded if the family expresses a desire to have an online presence. We will always do our best to ensure that "nothing without consent" is so much more than just a catchy slogan.
Caron & Steve's wedding was our 381st since January 1981 and like all the others, it was unique. During my time in the submarine service (Oh no Uncle Albert's off again) letters would arrive with "381" on the back (3 words 8 letters and 1 meaning - I LOVE YOU). There was no mistaking the love, perspective, humility and occasional despair that prevailed. There was more tangible love on hand than you could shake a hairy stick at. It was like an episode of "The Waltons" without the enamel coming off your teeth. At one point the entire congregation was in tears. I wouldn't have missed it for the world but I truly regret not knowing Steve better and for longer.
The image shown in this post was taken by Steve on the morning of his wedding. He was the only person allowed to see his portrait work until today.
My thoughts, my love and my offer of anything that might be useful to Caron and the family remain sincere.
The images taken that day (by everyone - not just me) are by definition highly intimate, powerful and poignant. Despite me being welcomed like some long lost son, at times I felt I was invading the privacy of this exceptional family. I wanted to make sure I could produce images that Steve would love too and was thankfully able to deliver them back to him and Caron some 20 hours later.
Those images are private and will only be uploaded if the family expresses a desire to have an online presence. We will always do our best to ensure that "nothing without consent" is so much more than just a catchy slogan.
Caron & Steve's wedding was our 381st since January 1981 and like all the others, it was unique. During my time in the submarine service (Oh no Uncle Albert's off again) letters would arrive with "381" on the back (3 words 8 letters and 1 meaning - I LOVE YOU). There was no mistaking the love, perspective, humility and occasional despair that prevailed. There was more tangible love on hand than you could shake a hairy stick at. It was like an episode of "The Waltons" without the enamel coming off your teeth. At one point the entire congregation was in tears. I wouldn't have missed it for the world but I truly regret not knowing Steve better and for longer.
The image shown in this post was taken by Steve on the morning of his wedding. He was the only person allowed to see his portrait work until today.
My thoughts, my love and my offer of anything that might be useful to Caron and the family remain sincere.
Finding the words to say what I would like to about this sad story is almost impossible. My best wishes go out to the family and I am sure they consider themselves very lucky to have you as a friend.
ReplyDeletePaul Brown