Shannon Z Photography: March 2014

First Look Photos: Kenosha Public Museum

Ceremony & Reception: Danish Brotherhood, Kenosha, WI

Cake: MB Sweet Treats

This past week-end I had the pleasure of capturing Michael & Teresa's wedding. It was a beautiful, sunny day - but don't let that fool you! It was 37 degrees, and felt like -400 with the windchill, but these two braved the weather in the name of photography.

Kenosha Public Museum was gracious enough to allow us to use their facility to schedule a first look and do a few portraits of the happy couple inside. (You have to give the museum a weeks notice though!) Michael had his brother stand up as his best man, and Teresa's sister was her maid of honor. And, ironically enough, the two of them are married (Margie joked about being the first Mrs. Williams) and were the ones to introduce Michael & Teresa to each other.

It had been said many times throughout the evening how perfect these two are for eachother. Fate has a way of bringing people together, and this is another instance where it has worked it's magic.

What is the first thing when you hear about a family that has adopted?

For me, it is a combination of "Wow, how generous and unselfish of them." and "That poor child is so lucky." Yup, I said it. But that is the thing with looking in from the outside, or speaking from an uneducated point of view - one is left to recall movies, news stories or television shows to base their opinion on a real life circumstance.

You'd think that I would have learned my lesson by now.

The truth of the matter is (or at least as I recently experienced), adoption is not two one way streets that are abruptly put onto the same path. They are, just as natural as the path that God - or whoever you trust in - has put you both on together.

Last year I photographed a wedding for a great couple. A few months later, the bride contacted me with regards to photographing her brother's soon to be adopted baby. She wasn't sure when it was all going to be finalized, but it was obvious that she was excited and wanted to prepare. Several months passed by before we actually figured things out (adoptions take a while...who knew?!) and the new parents were scheduled to come in with their little girl.

I treated this as I would any newborn session, however in the back of my mind I was uber-aware of the fact that she was adopted. Terrible. But true.

So once were all settled and I started taking photos, I absolutely fell in love. Little Ella was a doll!

How did I learn my lesson? Well, lets start with the funny story that most of our parents can relate to. Mom and Dad were told by the agency they were going to be the proud parents of a baby boy! So prep, paint, purchase and then surprise!! It's actually a girl! I don't even think I need to detail the irony in that.

Then there was Ella herself. Newborns are beautiful, and she was no exception. I don't know what it was, but while shooting, and chatting, there were a few times (And even as I type) that I choked up and had to busy myself so I wouldn't embarass myself. Something happened in my studio that day that was really powerful. Ella made a very strong impression on my heart.

There came a time when she got a little fussy and Mom sat down to feed her. While Dad was preparing her bottle and telling her about it she started rooting against Mom. Such an instinctual and natural reaction that all babies have to their parents. I shouldn't have been amazed. But I was.

Then Mom was changing her and I was talking to Dad. As soon as he started talking, Ella turned her head to look up at him. She recognizes his voice and very obviously loves hearing it. Such a small and simple thing, and yet still so incredibly amazing to me. I don't know if my ignorance would make people who adopt feel turned off or rub them the wrong way - but before this experience I wouldn't have known any of this otherwise.

The three of them were, 100% without a doubt destined to be together as much as my children were destined to be with me. They will experience the same ups and downs during the first months, years and decades as I have and will. There is no more or less generosity or selflessness in their hearts than the next person who is willing to love unconditionally. And Ella. Sweet little Ella. How I could have ever thought that she was underprivleged or lacking in anything at any time in her life is a mistake I'm thrilled to have learned from. She is truly a gift to the universe.