Nathan & Sydney. Toledo Ohio Wedding. Farnsworth Metropark.

I love color. If you have seen anything from my brand, most of it is vibrant and colorful. I adore the greens of Northwest Ohio in the spring and summer. I enjoy the tawny hues of Toledo in the fall. Color drives me creatively and satisfies my artistic soul. I am drawn to saturation like a moth to a flame.

On November 15th I had the honor of documenting my brother-in-law’s wedding to his wonderful fiance. The day was a weather nightmare that began with hail, rain and outrageous winds. I was hardly able to pull my bag across the parking lot to the hotel where Sydney and her daughter were getting ready. The original plan was to have the ceremony outside at the Roche de Bout shelter at Farnsworth Metropark in Waterville Ohio. Well the tent almost blew away and so the ceremony had to be held in the shelter.

Despite the wild weather and all of the complications that come when planning a 2020 wedding during a pandemic, Sydney and Nathan faced the day with a resolution to celebrate and enjoy it. The wedding was very small. They sacrificed extended family. They skipped a formal wedding party. They gave up the attendance of their friends so that they could make their wedding day as safe as possible.

Everything about this wedding day seemed to represent the reality of marriage. The wind and storms to remind us that relationships are so very hard. Many days will not be sunny and fun. But how much better to endure those days with a partner you love? Covid restrictions and complications remind that in a marriage you must not take anything for granted and you need to prioritize the things you really care about. Finding a reason to celebrate even in a hard season is so important to thriving as a couple.

This year has been a very solemn year. Many people have struggled with health issues, financial issues, work and school routines. I take this year very seriously in my own personal timeline. As I was editing Mr. and Mrs. Trumbull’s photos, I noticed myself drawn to these dramatic and deep black and white edits. They felt right for the gravity of what 2020 has been. Here, I offer you a selection of my favorite monochromatic images from a most important day.