I’m not gonna lie. With every step I took, I thought about the heavy camera and couple of lenses sitting in the depths of my backpack. There were moments when I questioned my sanity. Everything I’d ever learned about backpacking told me to shed all superfluous weight possible. In my mind, the extra weight was making the uphills a little slower and the downhills a little more painful. Even if it really was just all in my mind. But, my 2007 backpacking trek was also what prompted me to follow my dream of photography and, by golly, I was going to carry that darn camera over those mountains and take some photographs!
Well, in an amazing turn of events, as Eric and I relaxed on Max Patch, up walked Christine and Tracey. In their wedding attire. On the Appalachian Trail. With a camera. They hiked up that mountain together just a few days after their official wedding ceremony to soak in the mountains – which they told me they loved – and get some amazing photos. Seeing this, I couldn’t just sit there as they took pictures of each other and worked so hard to get some with both of them in the frame. After all, I carried superfluous gear up and down those hills for a reason!
So, I crossed the top of the bald mountain, congratulated them, and asked Christine and Tracey if I could take a few photographs to send to them later. They happily obliged and I spent the next handful of minutes photographing a bride and groom. In their wedding attire. On the Appalachian Trail. With my camera. It had all come full circle for me. I felt like the world was shining down on me and saying I was in the exact place I needed to be at that moment. Thanks, world.
Here are just a few favorites of this amazing couple:
Tracey and Christine, it was SUCH a pleasure to meet you both – and in such an amazing place! Thank you for allowing this total stranger to spend a few moments of precious time with you and chat about the mountains and your wedding. I can tell you are an amazing couple and I wish you a lifetime of happiness. I hope you will hike the trail one day and let me know about it so I can send a little trail magic along the way! All the best to you both! :D
