Jaclyn and Eric are rock climbers. They actually met at a climbing gym!
They planned their wedding at a resort near the gates of Yosemite National Park. When we started chatting about their day, it became clear that what they would really like is have epic shots of themselves on one of Yosemite's grand rock faces. There was no way we could squeeze this into a wedding day.
We planned a shoot the Thursday before their wedding day. They pulled up in their rental minivan, stuffed to the brim with wedding things, and I had them follow me by car to a dirt pullout on the side of the road. The groom changed easily, but anyone who has worn a wedding dress knows it's not so simple. We sent him into a nearby meadow while the bride got ready on the side of the road among the passing cars. They shared their "first look" together among waist high lupines. From their the tree of us walked out to Taft Point.
A first look is wedding speak for when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony in their wedding clothes.
As I first walked up to the giant expanse of nothing below, I felt the invisible pull of the void. It's a 1000 foot drop.
We arrived just in time as the sun quickly approached the horizon. They were fearless, wasting no time in scampering to the edge.
Can you spot the tiny bride and groom?
Here they are a bit closer:
Closer still:
Would you take wedding photos on a cliff before your wedding day?