As a photographer, I can capture some of the most memorable moments in people's lives. And when David and Ashley approached me to photograph their wedding at Camp Mark Seven (CM7), I knew it would be a unique and beautiful event.
David and Ashley met at CM7 as teenagers, and it was only fitting that they would choose to return to the place where their love story began to exchange their vows. CM7, located in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, offers programs for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals of all ages and welcomes people of all faiths. It focuses on enhancing the lives of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, youth, and hearing children of deaf adults. In addition, it offers the opportunity to use American Sign Language. The atmosphere was electric when I arrived at the camp on the wedding day.
Guests were milling about, chatting and catching up with old friends. David and Ashley's parents, both deaf, were beaming with pride as they watched their children prepare for their big day. The ceremony itself was genuinely moving.
As David and Ashley exchanged vows, a sign language interpreter translated each word for their deaf parents and guests. And as they were pronounced husband and wife, the entire camp erupted in cheers and applause. After the ceremony, we walked around the camp to take some photos. Then, we stopped by the lake where they first met and the cabin where they stayed during the camp.
The camp was the perfect backdrop for the wedding, and it was a joy to capture the love between David and Ashley and their family and friends in such a special place. As the day ended and the guests said their goodbyes, I couldn't help but feel privileged to have been a part of such a special day.
David and Ashley's love story began at CM7, and it was only fitting that it would come full circle with their wedding. And as a photographer, it was a joy to capture all the memories of this special day.
