Wedding Photography - Chapter 10 of The Camera Doesn't Lie
After Emma collected her bouquet Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert led the way to the front of Rowan and Paul's house, where their rides awaited. The Gilberts had rented a couple of limousines for the wedding party: one for the bride and groom, Cleo, and Lewis, and another one for Rikki, Bella, and the parents. The Gilberts had been hoping that Ash's parents would show, but his parents were unable (or unwilling) to attend, Ash wasn't sure which.
Zane, Will, and Eliot were going to ride over with the Yanks. Zane was planning on staying in the background so Mr. Sanderson wouldn't see him. They were taking a chance with Rikki, but Emma had been adamant about her being one of the bridesmaids.
The drive to the Palace of Fine Arts was not a long one, as it was less than thirty miles from Rowan's house. As they drove Rikki wished that Zane were with her; she was nervous that Sanderson might recognize her and that could spoil the wedding.
'I'm endangering the wedding,' Rikki thought to herself. 'I shouldn't have come.'
Seeing her distress Bella gave her hand a squeeze.
"It is going to be great!" Bella told her.
In the other limo Emma and Ash sat holding hands, as did Cleo and Lewis across from them.
"Wish you'd had a big wedding?" Lewis whispered to Cleo.
"Kind of, but I'm glad we went and got married when we did," Cleo whispered back.
"Well, maybe we should have a ceremony when we get back home," Lewis told her.
Cleo smiled.
"I think I'd like that," she told him and gave him a kiss on his cheek, then frantically wiped the lip mark off with her hand.
"Hey, don't muss up the best man!" Emma told Cleo with a grin.
The two limos pulled up one after the other, allowing the wedding party to unload. The remaining cars, with the Yanks and their passengers pulled around and found parking on the street.
"I'll be watching," Zane said and headed towards the far entrance into the complex.
Once everyone else was out they all walked onto the grounds; the obvious meeting point the big Roman rotunda. Garlands of flowers matching Emma colors of pale blue and white were draped around the fake ruins of the park. In the lagoon circular bouquets floated, pushed by ripples from the fountains and the faint breeze.
As they approached the center of the Rotunda they could see that several photographic light screens had been set up to one side, right next to the Lagoon. In the middle of the screens the photographer Mr. Sanderson had set up a tripod and was busily taking photos of a women with bright red hair and a low-cut pale-green dress.
"Who's he taking pictures of?" Rowan asked Emma as she and Ash joined them at the entrance to the Rotunda. "Isn't that your setup?"
"Wait a minute, I know that redhead," Emma said, breaking out into a big smile. "That's Jackie!"
Sure enough it was Jackie, being her normal, out-going self. Seeing them standing there just outside of the Rotunda Jackie waved and beckoned to someone standing next to one of the pillars, who turned out to be Seth. The two hurried out to greet the others, leaving Sanderson behind.
"Emma, oh my gosh, you look gorgeous!" Jackie said. "And Ash, wow!"
"Jackie, what were you doing over there with Mr. Sanderson?" Rikki asked.
"Oh, he volunteered to take my picture; isn't that nice of him?" Jackie replied with a smile.
"Sure it is," Rowan told her, eyeing the cut of her dress. "I'm sure he was just being nice."
Meanwhile the others greeted Seth.
"Told you we'd make it," he told Ash. "Wouldn't have missed this for the world!"
Once everyone had exchanged greetings, and Emma had introduced her parents to Jackie and Seth, they continued to the center of the Rotunda, where Sanderson was waiting for them.
"Sorry to rush you guys," he told them as they walked up, "but there's another wedding scheduled right after yours and they will need time to set up."
"Okay, what's the plan then?" Emma asked.
"Let's start with the bride only shots, while you look your most radiant," Sanderson told her. "Then we'll add the groom and then the parents and finally the entire wedding party."
"Okay, sounds great," Emma replied.
"Why don't you introduce me to everyone," Sanderson told Emma.
"My parents," Emma said and Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert shook hands with Sanderson.
"The groom's parents?" Sanderson asked, looking around.
"Not coming," Ash said.
"I'm so sorry, Ash," Emma said to him.
"That's okay," he told her and gave her a big smile.
"Okay, the bridesmaids?" Sanderson asked next.
"Cleo, Rikki, and Bella," Emma said, indicating each in turn.
As Emma told Sanderson her name, Rikki was sure he had recognized her as a look went across his face.
"Have we met before?" Sanderson asked Rikki as he shook her hand.
"I don't think so," Rikki told him, suppressing a wave of revulsion at his touch. "I'm from Australia like the others and have never been in the United States before."
"Oh, okay," Sanderson said, dismissing her and looking questioningly at Ash.
"Best man?" Sanderson asked.
"Lewis," Ash said.
"Nice to meet you," Sanderson said as Lewis shook his hand.
"Any others in the wedding party?" Sanderson then asked.
"Well, you've already met Jackie, and her husband Seth," Emma said with a smile.
"Oh, right," Sanderson said, looking a little guilty as Jackie gave him a big smile.
"And Rowan you met at the office," Emma continued, and introduced the rest of the Yanks.
When she got to Melanie and Jake Sanderson looked up in interest.
"Jake Roberts?" Sanderson asked. "Aren't you associated with Senex, that hot startup?"
"Yes, I actually run the company," Jake admitted with a grin.
"Oh, it's great to meet you," Sanderson. "I'd like to talk to you about providing services for your company."
"Sure; after the wedding," Jake said with a smile.
"Of course," Sanderson said with a smile.
After introducing everyone else, except for Zane, who was still watching from the shadows, Sanderson looked at his watch.
"Okay everyone, let's get started," Sanderson said. "Come over here, Emma; I'm all set up for our first shot."
"So where's your assistant?" Emma asked as Sanderson put her where he wanted.
"Mimi? Oh, she's setting up at the hotel," Sanderson replied as he adjusted the lighting screens.
"Oh, right; she's taking your big photo over for the show," Emma said, worried about being able to access the photo.
"What? Oh, no she's just setting up the place," Sanderson said, checking his camera. "I'll take it over later."
"You aren't taking any chances with it, are you?" Emma asked, inwardly relieved. "I hope my pictures will be just as secure."
"Locked up tight and I have the key right here," Sanderson said, patting his jacket. "Now, Emma, look right here."
The photo shoot progressed professionally; as Sanderson finished with the first location he quickly moved to the second. But even though it was a warm day he left his jacket on, and Emma was starting to get worried that they were running out of time.
"We're going to have to help him take his coat off," Emma whispered to Cleo as she arranged her dress.
"What do you want to do?" Cleo asked.
"I don't know; just follow my lead," Emma replied.
"We'll be ready," Cleo whispered back.
As they walked towards the table where drinks for the wedding had been set up, Emma noticed a small puddle on the cement. A quick hand thrust at the puddle and it froze over, just as Sanderson was putting his foot down on it.
"Whoa!" Mr. Sanderson exclaimed as he lost balance.
Reaching out his hand Sanderson grabbed for the table to keep himself from falling. As he struggled to keep his balance Cleo made a twisting motion with her hand, and one of the glasses of water on the table exploded, drenching Sanderson's coat.
Sanderson steadied himself with his hand on the table and pushed himself to his feet. He shook off his sleeve, finding his arm drenched with water.
"You okay?" Emma asked as he checked his camera.
"Just got a little wet; don't know how I did that," Sanderson said.
But he showed no inclination to take off his coat; instead he concentrated on his camera. Emma looked to Rikki for help and gestured with her head at Sanderson. Rikki nodded and clenched her hand slightly, just enough to heat up the water in Sanderson's jacket.
"It's getting warm out here, isn't it?" Sanderson asked as a drop of sweat rolled down his face.
"A little bit," Emma told him.
"Excuse me a moment," Sanderson said and walked to where his equipment was stashed.
Sanderson removed his jacket and draped it over the top of one of his bags. Before walking back he wiped off his face with a towel. As he did so, Emma waved at Rowan, who nodded.
"Shall we continue?" Sanderson asked as he rejoined Emma and the rest of wedding party.
"Yes; lets!" Emma said.
After getting setup for the next shot Ash stopped him from continuing.
"Uh, Mr. Sanderson? Can I ask you a question?" Ash asked.
"Sure," Sanderson said.
"So what do you think if Emma goes over there?" Ash asked, pointing away from the complex to where Emma was standing.
As Sanderson turned to look, Zane darted out of the shadows to where Sanderson's gear was and rummaged through the pockets of Sanderson's coat, looking for the keys.
"What?" Sanderson asked. "No, I think she should be closer to the complex."
As Sanderson started to turn back to face the complex Emma squealed loudly.
"Eeek!" Emma cried, looking around her.
"What's wrong?" Sanderson asked, turning back to see what was wrong.
"Uh, I think I saw a mouse," Emma said, making something up.
"That's odd," Sanderson said. "I didn't think there were mice here."
Emma saw Zane raise his hand, having found the keys, and then hurry back into the shadows.
"Hmm, maybe it was a shadow," Emma said. "So where's the next shot?"
"Got them," Zane said to Rowan, who was waiting by her car. "Let's go!"
"Wait, we need Bella," Rowan told him.
"Bella?" Zane asked.
"Yes, I have an idea," Rowan told him.
"Uh, Emma?" Rowan asked, hurrying up to where Sanderson was taking the last of the solitary bridal shots. "Can I borrow Bella for a moment?"
"Sure; what's up?" Emma asked, curious.
"Some issues with the party; it shouldn't take too much time," Rowand explained.
"Come right back, though," Sanderson said. "We'll be doing the bridesmaids shots right after the shots with the bride and groom."
"We'll hurry," Rowan said.
Continued with Chapter 11, Mission Impossible
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