“I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.”

Jovanna and Dennis are a (now married) couple working and living right outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was thrilled when Jovanna approached me last year with a request to photograph her wedding. Her photographic taste and personal style choices made her engagement session a breeze; so easy, in fact, that we spent most of the time chatting and laughing.

Perhaps one of my favorite elements of photographing couples is breaking down the awkwardness that all couples feel when getting their picture taken. Once Jovanna and Dennis became comfortable with the camera, the smiles were natural and therefore contagious.

Although the shyness subsided and gave way to heartfelt and silly moments, a quiet love hung in the autumn air between these two. I always find it curious how comfort can breed silliness (much to a photographer's delight); but once the laughter subsides, the remaining silence leaves something incredibly intimate (a photographer's dream). 

"Still waters run deep," my mother would tell me about people who seem reserved. I feel the same towards moments, especially the quiet ones I was able to capture in my hour with Jovanna and Dennis. In those moments I felt pulled into a real understanding of their affection; all I had to do was press the button.