T Style Photography by Tamara Young

I met Frank and Tammy a few years ago while they were dating.  I could immediately see the friendship and love between them.  Frank is from Hawaii and let me tell ya, this guy is serious about a few things…Family, Spam, Tennis, and Roulette.  He’s an easy going guy, always with a cool and relaxed demeanor.  Now Tammy…well, Tammy is a whole lotta fun!  I’ve never been in her presence without laughing till my mascara ran or my side hurt from one her stories.  This lady belongs in the Laugh Factory.  Trust me, if you don’t know how to laugh, she can give you lessons.  She’s also one of the sweetest, most caring and resilient women I know.  Tammy has such an incredible story about finding her sisters after being separated for more than 45 years.  And guess what connected them….FACEBOOK!  Ya’ll can see their heart-warming and inspiring reunion here.

Back to these two fun folks.  So, one day Tammy calls me up and announces that she and Frank are gettin’ hitched in Vegas over a weekend of fun with close friends and family, including her two sisters!  There was a lot said in that conversation.  I remember being so excited for them, tears rolling, girlie giggling (on my part).   Then she said there would be cupcakes….Red Velvet Cupcakes.  Ya’ll know what that meant, right?  Yep, I was totally in.  Me and my camera were going to Vegas, Baby!

There’s a lot that I could tell you about that weekend, but you know the deal; gotta leave it in Vegas.  Well, there’s one thing I just have to share.  Only ’cause I want to make a point about taking risks to get “the shot” and tell the story.  See, when I listen to someone’s story, I immediatly start to create an image or three that I think will tell that story without words.  I was told about Frank’s unbelievable luck on the Roulette table the night before I arrived.  Each time that Frank bet on 28, he won!  Just so happened, they were getting married on the 28th day of the month.  Super cool, huh?  After the nuptuals, dinner, & Red Velvet Cupcakes, we all headed down to the Roulette table to try Frank & Tammy’s lucky number 28 one more time.

That’s when my image had to be made.  With all that was going on, I had a case of tunnel vision.  ”Find a way to get my camera in and OUT of the casino with images of Frank playing Roulette without being kicked out and still blending in and having fun with my friends.”  Things got a little scary when the Pit Boss spotted me with my little camera.  I tried to ignore him, but Tammy tapped me on my shoulder and pointed him out to me and he beckoned me over to the pit with a stern look on his face.  As I was trying to figure out how to get the memory card in case he took my camera, he says “Come with me.”  My eyes are HUGE by now, I’m afraid.  I can’t move.  He walks into the Pit, behind the ropes, with the monies!  He turns around and beckons to me again to follow him.  I go in, knowing I’m in trouble.  Just as I’m uttering an apology an

d trying to explain that it’s their wedding day and beg not to be thrown out, he says..”You’ll get a better shot from this angle.”    What the….??!?

I took a major risk that day by taking my camera onto the casino gaming floor.  I have no regrets and I’m sure I take more risks.  (I’ll tell you about flying over Lake Winnipesaukee in a Cessna with my lens hanging out of the window some other time.)  Sometimes you just gotta take a risk, expecially when you’ve got a picture in your heart that know will tell a part of someone’s special story.

Congratulations again Tammy & Frank.  Thanks for being my friends and allowing me to share your special day.

Now go out there and take some risks, folks!