geneva & matt are getting married and their favorite movie is amélie. it is an intense and unique french film, mostly about love, focused on an extraordinary girl named amélie and her unique and peculiar way of looking at the world. she is always looking at the simple details. she says in one scene, “i like to look for things no one else catches, i hate the way nobody ever looks at the road in old movies.” she is mostly alone and always seems to be on the outside looking in, until a handsome stranger she sees in a photo booth one night changes her world… and she changes his. she is hesitant to allow herself to be loved until a frail friend tells her, “my little amélie, your bones aren’t made of glass, you can take life’s knocks. if you let this chance go by, eventually, your heart will become as dry and brittle as my skeleton.” and so she goes, and they fall into a passionate love, and they travel the adventures of life together.
i wanted to do justice to the complex and yet simple beauty of the film but still have it be very personal to geneva and matt. these two are passionate! they love art. he is a writer and she is an artist and they felt so connected to the characters. so i did my best to weave it all together into a shoot without it being impersonal to them and also still be a pretty shoot even for those who had not seen the movie amélie. we built a photo booth and brought in the paris character with it’s decoration and we set up a french flea market style bistro reminicent of amélie’s workplace and the location their love began to grow. and we turned my bedroom into amelie’s. it was a lot of work but so fun to build a real set to play in! geneva and matt, i hope you feel we achieved it! :)
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a big thank you to my wonderful and talented assistant, leeanne! can’t wait to work on more artistic loveliness in the times to come! xoxo
44 comments
Kristen - So splendid, Joy! I’ve never seen the movie, but these images make me want to.
Lauren Wagoner - simply breathtakingly lovely from any and every angle… i could live in that photobooth
Clin d'Oeil Photography - Gorgeous shoot!! You definately did the movie and couple justice
This is one of my favorite movies! Love Love Love
XX
Mayra
molly - brilliant storytelling!
Luvlee - I love Amélie and I love this shoot <3 … oh and and shoot that involves creme bruleé.. that just topped it off!! oh gosh
Becky Lew - your photographs constantly leave me speechless and wanting to see more.The feel of the day is just dreamy and amazing! Your creativity, angles, JOY in what you do is inspiring.. Oh my goodness! I can’t tell you enough how much beauty you just created!!!
jen howell - Gorgeous! What a wonderful couple. Beautiful images.
Bek - lovely!! I love the fact that you created a cute place for the shoot…Never seen the movie, but it sounds beautiful.
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Caitlyn - Amazing! I’ve never seen the movie, but now I will. I love the vintage theme and the photobooth! Great shoot and Congrats to the happy couple! <3
Andrea - So wonderful!!
The photos are amazing,in every picture it truly shows your love for one another!! So beautiful!! Love it!!
Melissa - Absolutely amazing!! Every detail…. LOVE!
Shanna - Breathtaking! Love, love, love this! She reminds me of what Marilyn Monroe would be now.
Hilary - Joy, I can feel my heart beating faster in my chest. All the extra work was worth it. This shoot is a priceless work of art. Congrats to this lovely couple!
Alison Davis - Love the movie… But I think I love these photos even more! You are amazing Joy and never cease to amaze!
Lisa Devlin - J’adore, so utterly gorgeous x
Jessica Lewis - I love, love, love this shoot! Beautiful!
Did you make the lamp shade in your room. It is great.
Emily - What a beautiful couple!!! Gorgeous job, such a unique shoot. Inspired as always!!!
Cinzia Loosemore - Wow WOW WOW…these are so amazing and unique and you rock! lol
lynnette - OMG Joy!! Did you recreate Amelie’s bedroom?!?!? My 2ND favorite movie of all time!! This shoot is almost too good to be true. LOVE the gnome, the creme brulee, the mask and the photo booth. Awesome couple. xooxoxoxooxoxo
lynnette - oohhh and the heart cloud!
geneva Mendosa - I LOVE YOU! EVERYONE I KNOW IS IN LOVE WITH THIS.. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!
Stephanie - LOVE IT! You are SO inspiring! The photobooth and the whole table scape is beautiful. Great Job!
Jonathon Strand - Well, after looking through these lovely pictures I’m overjoyed. As someone who has experienced true love and will never let it go, I can share from the bottom of my heart, a special wish, which someone with this experience can only share. Those who will understand, have felt it and know what I’m talking about…
If you wish to never lose what you have, as so many do, you need only remember two things:
1) The other person is always right, even when they’re wrong. This is a disciplined practice of letting go of your ego. Do this and you gain them forever. This is not the same thing as losing one’s self. You are only losing your pride. So if ever you are in an arguement, even those ones you get in over and over again, just apologize and admit you are wrong. Wrong for allowing yourself to be prideful and arrogant enough to let it get in the way of your love.
2) God comes first, even before your lover. Allow your faith in God to be the sole focus. After all it’s because of God that you have each other and if you lose sight of your faith, you will lose the most interesting part of yourself. Then your lover will no longer find you as attractive and you will not have the love for yourself to give to the other. Love God and all else will follow. Also, God’s plan for us is far better than anything we can come up with so allowing Him to be the one to make final decisions will test your faith, build your character, and make you a more generous and loving person, all because you trusted.
I love you both! You will do great things!! And when things are down, remember that I will pray for you both until the day I die, and after that I’ll keep praying.
Love, Jonathon
p.s. I would love to work a party with your photographer. The pictures are beautiful, pure artwork.
Jonathon Strand - p.s.s. I love the macarons and creme brulee!
Jesse Tenorio - WOW! These are fantastic. Great idea from the couple and perfect execution from you.
Leeanne - omg thank YOU!!! They look amazing such a sweet and loving couple, can’t wait for more! xoxo
jamie - Oh my goodness this is so amazing! I just watched Amelie with my Mom (she loves that movie) and it was so cute. You styled this shoot perfectly and it’s just oozing with creative genius! xo, Jamie (Stylist for Mike Larson Photography)
Kirsten Mavric - This is my favourite shoot of yours yet. Just STUNNING.
Autumn - Yet another photo shoot that proves that you are a creative mastermind!
Tara - You are amazing, Joy! What a beautiful shoot!
monique - How incredibly AWESOME! I just completely adore all the details. Completely perfect!
gabriela koopmans - ohh my !!! I think I just died a bit !!!!!!! amazing shoot…
Ashley - This is a beautiful shoot! I absolutely love your work, and also love Amelie. I don’t know many people who have seen this film, and I just think it is such a “feel good, heartwarming story” that everyone should check it out. Your shoot really captures the movie and the love of this couple. Thank you for sharing your talent with us!
Amelie Engagement Session | Wildflowers Photo « - [...] from Wildflowers Photography with Amelie [...]
jen@greenweddingshoes - You create the most gorgeous shoots – absolutely love everything about this.
Bri - I absolutely adore this shoot. I love Amelie and this makes me want to watch it all over again. The lighting, the setting, and the total atmosphere just make this so amazing. Joy your work is outstanding and I love everything that you do. Please never stop making you beautiful creations!!!!
laurie - this is by far the most beautiful and creative engagement shoot ive ever seen.
i honestly can feel how much these two love each other
heart melts…now.
beverly - really amazing joy!
Mariana - These are completely fantastic!
Lynda Teepe - Love the pictures. I can feel the love and I’m so happy for you!
Amelie Engagement Session {Wildflowers Photo} « - [...] from Wildflowers Photography with Amelie theme. Any photo session with a well thought out theme is a winner to [...]
Melinda - Wow is just not sufficient words for this. I am blown away. YOU are truly a miracle worker!!
mondo - joy. i hope you never doubt what you are doing. your work is just wonderful.
-mondo