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March 5, 2010

Vow Renewals – Celebrating The Journey

True Love

While we enjoy photographing weddings of all kinds, we really cherish the opportunity to capture a couple’s vow renewal. Weddings are all about romance, new beginnings and the promise of a lifetime of love and togetherness. It’s an honor to be a part of that very special moment in a couple’s life. But, vow renewals – after the realities of life have made their mark on a marriage – that is a celebration of a truly deep and enduring love.

Some couples choose a major wedding anniversary for a re-commitment ceremony while others do it every year. The birth of a first child, recovery from a life threatening illness or another milestone may spur a couple to celebrate publicly. Whatever the circumstances, vow renewals are a time for celebrating the family unit and the life journey it encompasses.

Children and other immediate family and close friends may be invited to actively participate, or the couple may choose to make their ceremony an intimate one with just each other. There are no rules and every vow renewal is a unique experience.

Hand Tying with Officiate

Most couples write their own vows to each other, yet some speak from the heart spontaneously. Sometimes an officiate participates but none is necessary. It is a time to remember and acknowledge the past and re-pledge the future with all its hope and promise. Often, the couple adds some meaningful ritual or gift exchange to the ceremony. Here are some of our favorites:

Sand Blending: Different colored sands – one color to represent him, one for her, poured in turns into a large clear (plastic if on the beach) vase to blend into a beautiful pattern visible to all.

Family heart: a heart shaped piece of jewelry that has been split into separate pieces – one for each member of the family to keep and cherish. A hole in each piece allows each sectioned piece to be affixed to a chain for wearing. Family members put the heart together, then don their piece to keep it close to their own heart.

A Sand Blending

Hand tying: To symbolize strength in unity as a family unit, togetherness of the ring hands of the couple are tied together with a rope or cloth before vows are spoken. If there are children, they may do the tying, or they may have their own hand tied on top of their parents. Untying is done together.

Water pouring: Pouring of fresh water and salt water together into an indent or an outline of a heart drawn in the sand. This symbolizes that differences are invisible in the liquidity of life and that life itself is fleeting and should be valued.

Exchange of new rings: either replacing wedding bands with new rings to symbolize a new beginning or milestone or accomplishment. Sometimes a new ring to be worn on the other hand is added.

The family circle: the family including dear friends, form a circle and hold hands. The circle has no beginning and no end, just like the wedding rings and the circle of life. Each member exchanges a commitment to the others to reaffirm a lifetime of support, respect, caring, nurturing and love.

Anne Marie Officiates 2010 Group Vow Renewal At Trunk Bay

True love is rare and remarkable to see. We’ve been honored to photograph vow renewals of all kinds – ornate public displays and surprise intimate ceremonies – on beaches, hiking trails, boats, remote islands, at fine resorts, and even at a local bar. Every one has touched us deeply and in unexpected ways. We have been blessed to be a part of these ceremonies and know they have made a difference in our own marriage.

Bob Working The Crowd

We renewed our own vows recently after 22 years of marriage at the annual Valentines Day St. John Group Vow Renewal Event at Trunk Bay. Approximately 100 couples joined in at the free event this year. Truthfully, we were both there photographing the event (Bob, for St. John Tradewinds and Karin, for fun and friends. We had also planned ahead of time for a way to actively participate and renew our own vows at the same time.

In Each Others Hearts Wherever We Are

Along with all the other couples, we publicly announced that despite each others faults and annoyances, we are deeply committed to each other. We were hundreds of feet away from each other and talking past our camera lenses while we snapped photos of others taking the pledge. There was not a dry eye on the beach.

Then, with eye contact, hand signals and kisses blown like cupids arrows across to each other, we both reaffirmed our own love and celebrated our life’s journey together. The moment was as special as any vow renewal could be. We did it our way.

Vow renewals are so underrated!

Until next time,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

p.s. – thanks to Cathy and Bill Dove, Ann Marie Porter and all the others that make this annual St. John Valentine’s Day Group Vow Renewal event possible.

Filed under: General, Weddings — Tags: camera, photography, Trunk Bay, vow renewal — Karin @ 9:53 pm

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February 5, 2010

On The Other Side

In on-line reviews, we’ve had clients compliment how easy Tropical Focus was to work with, whether it was for a family vacation portrait or a beach wedding. While pleased, we’d never given those comments much weight. But for the last few days, we’ve been on the other side and now we “get” it. We really, really get it.

Zach Takes Aim On Bob Near Maho Bay

A staff photographer for a national travel magazine has been here on St. John to take images of our family. No, we’re not celebrities – just a small part of an assignment for an eventual article. The experience taught us some things about ourselves that was eye-opening and at the same time it affirmed some of our business beliefs. Everyone can benefit from what we learned.

Bob Catches Zach During A Work Shoot This Week

In our family, Bob is the resident ham. He likes to have his picture taken. Like many people Karin rolls her eyes at the 3 or 4 poses that seem to be ‘his’ in so many photos over their 23 years of marriage [our anniversary is this weekend!]. Karin is camera-shy to say the least. She is a living example of someone who is not comfortable in their own skin, but is working on it even as a 50-something. With an understanding husband who’s a photographer she’s got two or three looks down herself, at least when Bob is taking those inevitable family photos.

Before Zach arrived this week, we made a conscious decision to just be his clients and learn from it. That was easy to say, but when Zach showed up with three (!) cameras around his neck we both knew it would be a challenge, even for us. Bob gets razzed by some for the two cameras that he constantly carries to a shoot. How intimidating!

Zach Followed Us To Our Skyway Villa Shoot

Yet, it was a strangely comforting thought that our own past clients would understand exactly what we were about to go through. It was time to put our own beliefs into reality.

We know it’s not always easy to just be yourself in front of a camera. No ham, no shyness – just exposing yourself and trusting your photographer to do his job, do it well, and capture you. Trust matters. It’s something we’ve always told clients but it certainly hits home when that camera is aimed at you by a stranger, no matter how much of a pro he is. While our clients often say we make them quickly comfortable, Bob now knows first-hand the impact of those two cameras hanging off his neck when he says his initial hello. Zach had an easy way with people, just as Bob does. It was a bit surreal to see this magic turned on us for a change. It also affirmed our belief that a critical trait for a destination photographer is to earn trust quickly and put clients at ease.

Zach Caught Bob Shooting A Vow Renewal

Client attitude makes a difference. This well-known photography tip was put to the test this week. Instead of whining about looks, Karin consciously told herself that she was worthy and aimed to forget about the camera and have fun. Bob worked at stripping off the outer ham and let Zach catch a bit of his inner self. Instead we both focused on enjoying our new best friend, occasionally sharing little bits of ourselves with Zach tagging along for the ride as we went about our daily lives. Magically, we forgot the cameras more often than not. And, we survived the experience, not just unscathed, but with happy memories.

Zach, Ready To Shoot on Hawksnest Bay

We haven’t seen more than a photo or two in the camera’s preview lens, but it doesn’t matter. Our attitudes made the process enjoyable and gave us some sweet family moments together. Cataloging life’s moments is what photography is all about and we’re sure Zach caught a few of ours beautifully for a lifetime of viewing.

We probably won’t see any of those photos for a while. And we may not ever see most. Meanwhile life goes on. But the experience will stay with us. And for the first time we really understand why some vacation portrait clients say we were the highlight of their vacation. It wasn’t us or the even the finished images that mattered most, but the surprising fun they had of the entire photographic experience. We get it now.

Thanks, Zach, for taking us onto The Other Side!

P.S. – A special thanks to Skyway Villa, Captains View, and to the Weatherholtz family for your graciousness in letting us share your photo shoots in an unusual way this week

Filed under: General — Tags: beach wedding, camera, family photos, Maho Bay, photography, St. John, vow renewal — Karin @ 2:31 pm

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January 29, 2010

The 4-Way Test for our Business

Rotary Brings Tele-medicine To St. John

At Tropical Focus, we ask ourselves the following questions in things we think, say or do:

- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Seriously. Some will recognize these questions as the 4-way test for Rotary International, recited at every meeting. As a secretary for the Rotary Club of St. John, Bob is very involved – & Karin is an active non-member volunteer. The overall mission for Rotary International is to provide service when/where needed, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its

Rotary Distributes School Materials on St. John

fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. They are also principles we believe in as a business.

Here are a few ways that our photography business applies the Rotarian 4-way test of ideals into our everyday lives and how you can too:

Is it the truth? Tropical Focus is committed to honest communications with clients, even if that truth means they will take their business elsewhere. We accept our limitations and don‘t try to be anyone else. Our clients count on our opinions and they deserve honesty.

Is it fair to all concerned? We strive to be flexible in our business policies and treat others they way we want to be treated at all times. No amount of liability insurance (although we have that) can give us the peace of mind that simply being fair does.

Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Our business began out of the desire to share our love of the islands while doing something we enjoy. When clients share moments in their lives or a slice of their business with us, they become a part of our family forever. We know that the smallest things we do can make a difference in peoples lives, so we try to do them well.

Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Creating a product that might be around for generations is a huge responsibility. We listen to our clients and often give back more than they thought to ask. Tropical Focus embraces environmentally sound business practices in consideration of all. And we gladly use our photo skills for humanitarian projects like our newest one – Operation Smile.

On St John, the local Rotary Club includes a 5th test that all members gladly recite at meetings and incorporate into their daily lives:

Operation Smile - Our Newest Cause

- On St. John, is it FUN?

At Tropical Focus, this is a no-brainer. Our islands are our studio, we love what we do and want everyone involved to have a good time. You can’t miss us at a photo shoot. Not because of our cameras, since some clients have surprisingly expensive gear. No – look for the couple with the hugest grins on their faces. That’s us, having a blast at what we do!

Note: Rotary International has 32,000 clubs worldwide in over 200 countries and is always open to new members. We’ll be glad to put you in touch with someone in your area if you’d like to check it out.

Filed under: General — Tags: communications, fun, photo, photography, Rotary club of St John, Rotary International, St. John — Karin @ 3:39 pm

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