“Love is knowing someones faults and imperfections and still thinking that they’re perfect”- Sejal
TRIBECA, NY — The elevator was broken. I felt embarrassed and awkward at the thought of Sejal walking up five flights, through the narrow, low-ceilinged stairwell for our first meeting. Reaching for my cell phone and was surprised to see Sejal standing at the top of the staircase in a faded green army jacket. In that moment, I was impressed, thankful and relieved that she was smiling. Working with her and Krishna for their wedding anniversary session, was a lesson in perfection…
For their wedding anniversary story, we focused on a relaxed and conversational approach. The day began inside their home and we casually moved to their rooftop for a better view of New York City.
This is one of the first moments I documented during Sejal and Krishna's wedding anniversary session. Married in 2008, their wedding celebration was held in Atlanta, GA at the Omni Hotel.
Just before we headed outside to face the bustling streets of New York, Krishna's phone rang. Waiting patiently, Sejal moved closer to the Chandelier in their building lobby. What some might call a "mistake" or interruption became a remarkable moment of their wedding anniversary session.
LEFT: arriving at the South Street Seaport, Sejal and Krishna enjoy a relaxing moment away from the "noise" of New York.
RIGHT: The "gold" room as we joked, offered rich warm accent to Sejal's dress. Although this was a wedding anniversary session, whenever I look at this photograph I think: wedding, bride and elegant. Funny enough, I almost didn't take the photo at all.
Just outside their home, Sejal and Krisha cross from Broad Street to Wall Street. The quality of engagement in Krishna's gaze is magnetic. You can feel the warmth as he looks to Sejal...New York City seems fades to a queit blur and he doesn't have care in the world.
Sejal adjusts her dress before continuing our walking tour through downtown New York to the South Street Seaport.
Sejal and Krishna enjoy a view of the sunset at the South Street Seaport.
Sejal and Krishna share an individual willingness to make the best of their experiences together….for better or worse. For example, their multi-day celebration was a great expense of time, money, energy and effort but their wedding photography experience didn’t go as they’d planned. Sejal once commented: “I don’t really feel myself when I look at these from my pictures of me from my wedding.” After reviewing over 5,000 images from their wedding photographer Krishna shared, “I’d be much happier to have 15-20 amazing wedding photographs instead.” Rather than casting blame on their wedding photographer or complaining about the situation, they proactively chose to document their new experiences together in New York City.
As a child my mother would say, “if you want to make god laugh, tell him your plans”. Elevators break before client meetings, work calls occur during photography sessions and wedding photographers make mistakes that affect entire families. However frustrating, difficult or embarrassing, these things happen. Discovering how to transform these difficult moments into opportunities is a skill that Sejal and Krishna embody. Overall, I’m thankful for having collaborated with them and to continue my work with couples who choose vulnerability over anger; forgiveness over cold-heartedness and the pursuit of happiness over the search for perfection.
