In the summer of 2003, photographer Sandra Costello married her partner in a ceremony on Cape Cod. Costello describes her wedding as "an emotional, exciting roller coaster bringing our families and friends together for what would be the first gay wedding for many. Our wedding day was a profound experience. I was extremely moved by the support from our family and friends and the significance of the act itself."
Over time, friends began asking Costello to photograph their weddings. "I found it a very rewarding experience," she says. "I've always loved celebrating life and love, so it felt like a perfect fit. For the past four years, I have enjoyed being a part of Northampton, displaying my photographs of gay weddings and families and meeting gay couples from the area. Having had a wedding myself, I know that each time I am hired to photograph a couple, I am being given a treasured opportunity to document their love."
I Do recently spoke with Costello about wedding photography and her experiences at both gay and straight weddings.
When you hired a photographer for your wedding, what did you look for?
When I got married six years ago, I wanted a photographer who was comfortable with my relationship and was a true artist. I felt very fortunate to find a photographer who shot beautiful images and added a wonderful energy to our day.
As a photographer of both gay and straight couples' weddings, do you approach photographing the weddings differently?
Each wedding is unique and I spend as much time as possible getting to know each couple before their wedding day. I want to know what's most important to them and their families, and how I can capture those parts of the day. I recognize weddings are emotional and lots of things come up for couples both gay and straight. By getting to know my clients I gather emotional information, which helps me to stay tuned in to their needs.
Do gay and straight couples have different expectations of what they'd like to see in their wedding photographs?
I think all couples want to see their love reflected in beautiful images. More and more gay couples are creating their own traditions since gay marriage has become legal, giving men and women the freedom to express their joy and liberation in very personal ways. Some choose very traditional ceremonies while others take a path less traveled; all are special.
What do you enjoy most about photographing weddings?
I love being in the middle of a celebration! If you ask anyone who knows me, they'll agree. What is most powerful to me is being in the middle of the big event and finding quiet moments I can capture in photographs. Because I am not one of the guests celebrating at these weddings, I have the chance to take a different perspective and see some of the less-noticed details. What I enjoy most is delivering the photographs to the couple after the event and seeing them relive the day all over again.
Is there a particular part of the wedding or reception you enjoy photographing most?
One of the most beautiful things I've found about photographing weddings is the preparation right before the ceremony. When each person is getting ready and there is this emotional charge in the room—it's not always easy to describe, but when you see it in a photograph, you feel it in your soul.
What do you find is the most challenging thing about taking wedding photos?
Navigating the dance floor with all my equipment can be a challenge! In all seriousness, there is so much that goes into creating a wonderful wedding that one of the challenges to my work is making sure I have captured it all. I feel very connected to my clients and want what's happening throughout their day to be preserved in my pictures. I do my best to channel their love and energy into each image I capture.
Is there a funny or sweet incident you've encountered at a wedding that you can share?
A few years ago I photographed a large wedding in Ireland. While we were outside taking family photos, the bride told me her husband's grandfather wanted to meet her grandmother. He was very dear and she was a bit shy; both were single. He came over and gave her a sweet peck on the cheek. It was adorable.
