All artists have a few moments in their career that change the way they go about doing their art. For me, this particular wedding struck so close to home that it changed how I approach weddings.
I moved to the United States about 6 years ago to attend Wartburg College. The people who knew me in college mostly knew me for two things: photography/videography, and fighting day and for my fellow international students wherever possible, so much so that I was awarded national awards for service and civic leadership.
It should be no surprise then, that seeing other international students - past and present - doing well, and making a happy life for themselves, brings me an incredible amount of joy.
When I first spoke with Victoria and Youri I already knew that this was going to be a special wedding for me. Hearing him talk about how much he loves her made tear up, even just over the phone. When I found out that half their wedding party would also be international students, and that his mom (who he hadn’t seen in years) would be there as well, I promised myself that this story would be one that I would pour my entire heart and soul into.
“Most of the guys here are familiar with the heartache of being far from your home, but also the joy of building a new life with someone you love, who becomes your home.”
That sentence pretty much sums it all up. There was not a single moment their entire day where I couldn’t almost physically feel how much love there was surrounding them. Youri and Victoria have brought together two incredible families, from opposite ends of the Americas, and created a new home for themselves, and I had to pinch myself that I was lucky enough to tell their story.
The way this wedding changed how I approach weddings? There's beauty in hard things, especially when your story is overcoming those hard things.
I hope you enjoyed their film, and I can't wait for the next one!
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