my first wedding gig

Last Saturday my landlady offered her daughter in marriage to a rich fella from Banikoara. These folks are a prominent family in my village, so the marriage is a big deal. My neighbors brought gifts of goats or chickens to celebrate the occasion. Living on a Peace Corps budget I couldn't afford a good goat (about 50,000CFA or $100), so I offered to take pictures instead.

I'll have these images printed to give to the family.

Thus, my first real foray into wedding photography:

Will this portfolio lead to wedding gigs back in the USA?

nervous bride, Anissa

and her proud Mother, Asja Sofia

friends and family prepare food on the eve of the wedding


Anissa's friend paints her in henna tattoos


it was a day for celebration, unless you're a goat


well-wishers arrived from across the country

dressed in the finest fabrics


At the Mosque, these gentlemen scrutinized the husband, and found him fit
to support a third wife. Cash and kola nuts lubricated the deliberations.


I now pronounce you: husband and wife.

(except the wife isn't allowed in the mosque for the actual wedding ritual)

drums and dancing, and Dolce & Gabbana.

not sure who he is, but he's important.

you're just not a wedding photographer unless you snap shots of cute kids.

And finally, I raise a glass of warm beer to my peeps Drew and Gilli who tied the knot back home in Virginia last weekend. I miss you guys, and wish I could've been there with you. Congrats. I am so happy for ya'll.