FULLERTON & PERRIS, CALIFORNIA - Weddings and culture go hand in hand, and I always find it fascinating to experience human complexity through them. This year alone, I've been in the middle of the traditional drum beats of a Muslim wedding. I've photographed Southerners lining up for a country-style line dance. I've shed a tear seeing the way Asians honor their parents. I've broken into laughter from the great times of my Black brothers (Yeah, I have 7% African blood in my DNA, so yeah, my brothers). The point is, sometimes you experience all these cultures only to realize you have fallen out of touch with your strongest blood. In our case, the Mexican culture.
Although I have no regrets experiencing all these cultures, you do get a sense of appreciation for your own culture when you come back. Jasmin and Jose's wedding did that. See, Jose is a Charro. They are a big, proud part of our culture. They are what cowboys are to Americans, what samurais are to Japanese, knights are to the English. I think you get my point.
When Jasmin contacted me about her wedding and the style she was going for, I was ready to run over my own mother to get this wedding. Not only because of the style they were going for, but also because I was curious how the photography style we use for the Old Hollywood Portraits would do with the Charo-style the wedding would have. I hoped for Cine De Oro vibes. Google that.