Inspire & Impart: Bob & Dawn Davis

A cool opportunity came our way last month and we NEVER pass up a cooler than usual gig if we can help it. We met an interesting and unique new couple and said couple needed a music coordinator/performers for their wedding.

This was not any ole’ wedding mind you. This soon-to-be-hitched gal is QUITE the photographer: Sarah (Skowe) DeShaw. You can view her website here and read her daily musings here. A few years back she won a seat in a photo workshop hosted by celebrity photojournalists Bob and Dawn Davis. Camaraderie and friendship ensued between the established photographers and Sarah. When she herself was engaged she called her new friends the Davis’s and conspired a photo workshop for her small destination wedding on St. Simons Island. The weekend was called Davis Love Story. The workshop was very quickly filled up.

Well as soon as we were told of the opportunity an agreement was made and meetings were held. We Saint Lewis peeps would perform ceremony music all reception music and provide set-up and operate all sound equipment for the wedding and reception.

When we arrived for rehearsal one would normally expect a photographer with camera in hand – we saw 15+ photographers testing the light adjusting lenses and snapping away. I had never seen so much camera equipment in one place. What happened next was a surprise: we were asked to join the workshop at the beach to offer another subject for the many photographers! I was blown away by the convergence of so many photographers on one spot – the dialogue was channeled into one topic: LIGHT. Bob was giving a lesson on “finding the light” – I heard phrases such as “don’t stop until you find the light” and “It will make your photo sing”. Words like “aperture” “shutter speed number” “composition” “dappled” and etc were being tossed about freely as though they were everyday lingo – as normal as talking about the Georgia game. I was moved by the passion Bob was imparting with every coaching statement he delivered.  The workshop students seized instruction and put it to work simultaneously.  Meanwhile Sarah and her fiance Brent were modeling in mock wedding attire with a beautiful beach sunset as the backdrop.

I realized that this Photography duo were imparting all their skills secrets and tips to all workshop attendees. I watched and listened as they poured themselves out to encourage the attendees who worked diligently to hone their craft. I felt alive watching the entourage of photographers move about adjusting lenses and flashes clicking shot after shot always staying close to Bob for Instruction. He never seemed “Untouchable” ever willing to look at each individual camera screen assess the pictures even maneuvering camera setting for several attendees. The concept of doing what you do not merely to do it well but also for the purpose of equipping imparting and inspiring others rang so true in my own journey that when I returned home from the rehearsal and workshop session I had to jump on the web and read everything I could get my hands on about the Davis duo.

I went to bed that night inspired: the ability and passion to teach your skills and impart vision and passion to others is such a gift…or a calling?  As believers we are all called to reproduce and eventually replace ourselves.  What are you doing to bring that about?

Please enjoy a sampling of our reception music from that night or – if you like – a lo-fi cap of the whole wedding!