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WEST LINN, Ore. — A couple who had three wedding photographers bail on them last minute had their dream come true when a Utah photographer on vacation stumbled onto their wedding along the Oregon coast.
Jenna Sawyer, a photographer from Provo who owns Jenna Grace Photography, was taking a walk on the beach with her family when she spotted some men in suits. As she got closer to them, she noticed one man was looking very nervous, and went right up and asked him what was going on.
“I’m nosey, what can I say,” Sawyer told KSL.com.
The man, Andrew Cline, smiled and told her he was there to get married. Sawyer, noting they didn’t have anyone taking pictures, decided to offer her services for free if they needed it. Cline was overwhelmed by the offer and immediately said yes.
“The look on his face!” Sawyer wrote on a Facebook post. ”He told me how they had every photographer they hired fall through last minute and they were incredibly disappointed.”
Sawyer stayed with the wedding party for over an hour until Rachael Cline, the bride, made her way down the aisle.
“I think the best part was the fact that Rachael didn’t know about me until she was essentially walking down the aisle,” Sawyer said. “I have pictures of her looking really confused at who this random person was taking pictures of her before I introduced myself as her impromptu wedding photographer.”
When Rachael realized what Sawyer was doing for her, she broke down in tears and hugged her, Sawyer said.
“You are one of the greatest miracles that has ever happened to us!” Rachael wrote on Sawyer’s Facebook post of the pictures. “Your presence and the willingness of giving had made our big day more special in so many ways!”
"I cannot express in words how your kindness and generosity touched myself and Rachael yesterday," Andrew added. "I know you (were) there spending time with family members and I am also very thankful for the sacrifice of you and their time together. This was one of the kindest acts anyone has ever done for me."
For the next few hours, Sawyer took pictures of the couple “giving them the wedding pictures they deserve.” The newlyweds were overjoyed to have their special day captured on camera, but so were countless family members across the country who couldn’t be there.
“From Andrew's sister in Iowa, I send my sincerest thanks for your kindness and generosity!” wrote April-Cline Jones on Facebook.
“I just had a baby and live in Las Vegas and was heartbroken I couldn't attend,” wrote Cara Hill, another sister of the groom. “It means so much that you helped them so at least I had photos!”
Sawyer, who has been a photographer since she was 15, says it’s more about the moment and less about the money.
“For me, photography always has and always will be giving people moments and memories that they can look back on forever,” she said. “Rachael and Andrew's wedding was the perfect embodiment of that passion.”
