Hues of Cuba

My recent trip to Cuba was amazing in many ways. I kept it simple: Kodak film, a Hasselblad, a couple of Zeiss lenses, and a Contax 645 for backup. I was ready to compose in the square format, and to see Cuba in a different way…through a big vintage square viewfinder. One of the lenses was old enough to be pre-Revolution, so there was something nice about knowing it could have visited Cuba when all of the big American cars were brand new. It was glorious.

It’s difficult to describe Cuba in something as brief as a blog post. It’s so culturally rich and diverse, and yet somehow set back in time, as if the “periodo especial” had put a pause on technology and creature comforts, while somehow distilling it to the essentials. Cuba may have been without American imports and luxuries for a few decades, but it is abundant with things that have become more scarce in the U.S.: quality family time, friendliness, honesty, a love of music, and a distinctly wonderful lack of technological addiction (i.e.: smartphone disease!). I saw people and their smiles, not their foreheads.

One other thing that Cuba possesses in spades: COLOR.

I made this blog post, in contrast to a recent one of close-up portraits in black-and-white…as an homage to the beautiful colors, hues, and tones that are so prevalent in Cuba. With an amazing group of photographers and Art enthusiasts, we visited Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santa Clara, Cuba. These images will take one on a journey discovering the various tones of each of those places, and my fascination with various blues and greens!

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Cuban Portraits

I set off for Cuba to discover something. I wasn’t sure what, but simply knew that it was somewhere I’d read about for years, and had always wanted to visit. I had heard of a small group of photographers going, along with art enthusiasts and a bona-fide Cuban Art dealer, and it sounded like a great group to be a part of for many reasons. First, it would be nice to travel with a group…and if said group was comprised of photographers, then I wouldn’t be the only one slowing things down to take pictures. Secondly, I knew that it would be a fun group, and that we’d enjoy sharing stories and insight into one and other’s lives, businesses, and photography techniques. Thirdly, I knew that a visa was paramount to be able to enter Cuba correctly, so I signed on. Seventeen years ago, I was signed up for a trip with Belmont to visit Cuba with my class on Cuban History, but our visas had fallen through. So it was go-time!

Lindsey was so encouraging, and amazingly generous to stay home with the kids and enabled me to go on this trip. I’m so glad I did. I packed my bags with about 40 rolls of 120 and 220 size Kodak film, and a Hasselblad 203fe, freshly minted from eBay, along with two lenses: the Zeiss 110mm f2.0, and an 80mm f2.8.

Cuba was everything I had been told, everything I had imagined, and much more. I live in the South. People are nice. So I get it. I’m accustomed to meeting “nice” people. Just walking by on the street, starting up a conversation, or even answering a question was meaningful enough to have numerous people invite me into their home, or to hear them play music, etc. The first man pictured was at a cafe next to my group. As I walked past, we exchanged pleasantries, and I noticed that he had a deep, and soulful voice. It turns out he was the “Voice of Radio Cuba” and he recited a poem for me he had written about love. If only my audio recorder had been quicker….it was quite moving.

There are countless more stories to tell, and all of them reflect a people who are proud of their heritage, incredibly intelligent, diverse, and have a joy that is completely unrelated to material possessions. I know that these things sound like grand generalizations, but the certainly rang true for my experience. There are many more photographs to come, with bold and brazen colors, and everything stereotypical one could expect. But first: here are some of the amazing people I met!

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    The Gray Dove {inspiration shoot}

    It is so refreshing when a group of wedding creatives collaborate on a shoot! As a group, we can encourage and inspire each other to be even better for our clients.

    We were able to work alongside some amazing wedding professionals on this shoot at a beautiful new venue in the Chattanooga area.   The Gray Dove is just one mile off Exit 11 in Ooltewah, and is a 30 acre farm with a  rustic barn backdrop and centuries old stacked fireplace. It was the perfect backdrop for this collaborative shoot.

    Venue: The Gray Dove

    Florals: Petaline

    Bride &Bridesmaids Dresses: Ever After Bridal and Formal Wear

    Cake: Sweet Angel Cakes

    Event Design & Planning: Soirees

    Tent Rental- Chattanooga Tent

    Chair & Table rentals: Soundforce

    Catering: Events with Taste

    Hair: SpaGo

    Makeup: Olivia Clark

    Custom Cocktail: Repeal and Serve


     

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      Mike + Leslea – married

      Where did you meet?

      I joined the VWS Race Team on a whim when I started cycling and met Mike on my 1st ever ride with the team. I was in more physical pain than I’d ever been in in my life riding with all those guys, so I don’t remember much of what we talked about, but I remember him there beside me, giving me advice on how to ride with the group, how to save energy. He has this really amazing quiet presence that is so calming. It immediately reminded me of my grandfather. I probably fell in love with him that moment!

      What was your first date?

      Hot chocolate and dessert at a local coffee shop.
      Mike: He says that’s debatable because that was our initial “get-to-know-you” off the bike meeting and he decided to ask me on a real date to dinner after that. 🙂

      Where did you get engaged?

      Our first beach trip together to the Outer Banks this past June! He proposed on our last night there when we went walking on the beach. It was a perfect night with the moonlight, us, and a lot of crabs! We bought a big photo of a crab in honor of all the crabs present for our engagement.

      Favorite thing about the South?

      Sweet tea of course!

      Ok, Mike’s from Canada so he’s not really into the sweet tea thing … But we do love going back to TN (where I’m from) because we love the people and it’s just beautiful there!

      Favorite Past time?

      Cycling of course! 🙂

      My happiest place to be is riding along behind him! If we’re not at work or cycling, we’re usually cooking together

      Early birds or night owls?

      Early birds! Mike makes the best coffee ever btw.

      Favorite part of a wedding day?

      Our favorite part will be the next morning … when we finally get to wake up and have our coffee and toast with our official better half as husband and wife!

      What are two of your favorite qualities about each other?

      Mike: Unlike me, she wears her heart on her sleeve. I always know when I need to help turn her frown upside down. She’s always so thoughtful and puts others first. And she’s beautiful 🙂

      Leslea: He is the most genuine, authentic person I know and he has the kindest heart. People think he’s quiet, but really he just takes everything in and is the best listener. Which is probably why he always knows what to say and when to say it and makes me feel special and loved every single day! Being with him brings out the best version of me. Oh – and he’s super handsome 🙂

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        Nick + Laura – married

        We recently had the privilege of being a part of Laura + Nick’s wedding at an amazing new venue called the Homestead at Cloudland Station, and had a blast. Here they are, in their own words:

        Was it love at first sight?

        I think we both knew something was special about each other upon meeting for the first time.

        What was your first date?

        Our first date was at Bluewater Grille. We were supposed to go to a Lookouts Game, but stayed at Bluewater chit-chatting at the bar.

        What do you guys like to do together?

        We love to get outside and go fishing on Nicks fishing boat, love spending time with family and friends, and love love love live music!

        Favorite part of a wedding day?

        The energy right before a ceremony and cocktail hour catching up with friends before the “party” gets going.

        How would you describe your wedding day style?

        Simple and Classic. Laid-back but streamlined.

        What are two of your favorite qualities about each other?

        Nick’s laugh and smile, and Laura’s energy
        You can also check out their slideshow here: Nick + Laura.

         

        The Homestead at Cloudland Station > ceremony + reception site

        Sharel Hooper > wedding planner / coordinator

        Time of Your Life > band

        Kimmee’s Cakes > wedding cake
        Epting Catering > rentals & catering
        Sharel Hooper/Lee Easterly > floral design
        Shadowbox Paperie > wedding invitations
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          Kelly + Skinny – anniversary session

          If you’ve read anything I’ve written here, or seen any of our wedding images, it’s evident that our work is about relationships.Not only having a great rapport with our couples and helping them feel at ease (and encouraged!) but about the relationships that they are establishing as we turn our cameras towards them for a day or two. Its amazing to be able to revisit those relationships a few years later as we have begun with our anniversary sessions, and to see that spark still very evident, and the smiles quite contagious! Here are some of my favorites from a recent session with some of our favorite clients: Kelly + Skinny!

          How long have you been married?

          Almost 4 years (the best 4 years of Skinny’s life!) 🙂

          When did you know he/she was the one?

          For Kelly, the moment I met him! For Skinny, it took several years for me to convince him I was the one!

          What is your favorite memory from your wedding day?

          Our surprise wedding dance.  I loved the look on everyone’s faces when Skinny stole the show! 🙂

          Looking back, would you do anything differently on your wedding day?

          Nothing at all.

          What do you feel is the most important thing you learned since getting married?

          Compromise. We were together nearly 8 years before we got married and honestly, I didn’t think much at all would change. However, obstacles arose and we had to have some heart to hearts and learned we were both going to have to give up a little in order to make us both happy. Love Wins!

          What is the secret to your marriage?

          Laughter….and lots and lots of laughter. Skinny is one of the funniest people I know.  He will do or say ANYTHING to get a reaction out of me.  Life is never boring at our house.  NEVER! I should honestly write a book!

          What do you like to do together?

          We love to travel (ok, mostly I do, but Skinny goes right along with me….part of the compromising!), We love to go joy riding in the Jeep on a pretty summer day.  We LOVE to relax and watch movies together.  Our lives are so crazy busy that we don’t get to spend as much time together as we would like.

          What is your best marriage advice?

          Someone told us just before our wedding, “Don’t ever stop dating.”  That’s some of the best advice we received. We schedule a date night as often as our schedule allows.  And every day prior to our date, Skinny will send me a text and tell me how excited he is about our date.  It’s the little things that still mean so much!  Make sure you marry your best friend and make sure you laugh a lot!

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            MK + Jake – engaged

            We have really enjoyed getting to know this great couple through the process of planning their wedding. We love letting the couple tell their story in their own words, so here is MK & Jake.

             Where did you meet your fiancé?

            We met through a mutual friend who set us up. She was trying to get us to meet for a while, and we finally met briefly St. Patrick’s Day at a huge party at Greenhouse. I had green light-up earrings on, and we both were busy with our friends and had had a few cocktails. We danced for about 2 seconds in a big circle, and then we hung out at our friends’ house for the Final Four Basketball game. Jake asked me on a date, and the rest is history!

            What was your first date?

            We went to Bricktops. It took us about an hour to order our food because we were talking for so long, and we split a cookie, ice cream dessert. I was living with my parents, and Jake kissed me in their drive way when he dropped me off. I left my leftovers in his car, and we talked and texted every day after that.

            Where did you get engaged?

            We got engaged December 22, right before Christmas, on a ski trip with my family in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Jake had the ring in his backpack, and we skied into a little area alone, and he proposed on the mountain. My family knew he was doing it, and we skied down and met them for lunch. We drank champagne and celebrated all day. It was the happiest day of our lives!

            Favorite thing about the South?

            We love Southern food! And we love that people are kind and that we have space to live and breathe. We love friendly people and living with so many loving friends and family!

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            What are two of your favorite qualities about each other?

            Jake is the best person I know. He is so kind, and he will do anything for the people that he loves. He has the greatest heart. He is hilarious, even though he doesn’t think so. He loves to make people laugh and take care of his friends and family.

             

             

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              Kris + Joey | married

              Lindsey and I often say that our couples and their families are the most amazing aspect of our job. It’s an honor to be present on such a wonderful day in someone’s life. Imagine returning a few years later, for the “big day” of a different family member, and getting to see the entire family once again… I recently had that privilege, having traveled to Alpharetta to photograph Joey + Kris’ wedding. We first met the Jones family back in 2012 when we photographed big sister Deanna’s wedding, and were honored to be asked back to photograph little sister Joey’s wedding! Here are Kris + Joey, in their own words!

              Where did you meet your fiancé?

              We live in the same subdivision. Kris was out cutting the grass and I was walking my dog Finnian when we met.*

              Was it love at first sight?

              No! I didn’t even smile at Kris when I saw him and he didn’t even like me-that all changed quickly!

              What was your first date?

              Going to a Braves game. It was our first date, but one of the ushers that worked there asked when we were getting married!

              What do you guys like to do together?

              We love camping and traveling in our teardrop camper. We want to see all the National Parks. We also love working outside. We fight over who gets to ride the tractor to cut the grass!

              How would you describe your wedding day style?

              Simple, classic-equestrian and family-oriented.

              What are two of your favorite qualities about each other?

              Kris loves my love for the outdoors. I love how Kris can make me feel better know matter what and in any situation.
              *We were actually able to take some photographs exactly in the place where this couple saw one another for the very first time!!

              • this is where Joey and Kris first met!

              St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church > ceremony site

              Private home/land > reception venue

              Metrotainment Bakery > wedding cakes

              CParks Catering > catering

              Carithers Flowers > floral design

               

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                Caroline + Drew | engaged

                We first met Caroline when she was a bridesmaid at Margaret + Luis’ wedding. We were thrilled when she contacted us for her own wedding, and have enjoyed getting to know this great couple through the process. Here are Caroline + Drew, in their own words:

                Where did you meet your fiancé?

                We met at Samford University during undergrad. We were both English majors, so we also took classes together.

                What was your first date?

                While studying abroad in Rome, Italy, we had our first date next to the Pantheon. An Italian band serenaded us as we ate our pasta and dunked our bread into olive oil. That date set very high expectations 😉

                Where did you get engaged?

                Drew asked me to marry him in Rome, GA, at Berry College as a nostalgic reference to our first date. He said he had always promised to bring me back to Rome. . .

                What do you guys like to do together?

                Drew and I enjoy playing racquetball in our free time. If a court is unavailable, we will also play dominoes or Pass the Pigs.
                I must also mention our coffee needs. Most of the time, our activity requires a stop at Starbucks or a pot of coffee before we have the momentum to be active individuals.

                on a camera note: the majority of these images were photographed as I was doing a trial of the new Leica S 007 camera.

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                  Welcome

                  Thanks for stopping by. We are photographers based in Tennessee but available for travel world-wide. We would love to hear from you.

                  Serving Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina
                  423.618.8441 | info@bamberphotography.com