Alex and Esther's Pontoon Boat Exit on Lake Chatuge

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Here's Esther's description of her ideal reception:

"We end out on the pier, people stumbling a bit because we're tipsy, and laughing, light our Chinese lanterns, say a small call and response of 'holding you in the light' before we let the lanterns go."

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"All the lanterns light easily and don't take long to fill-out, and if something goes wrong and one catches on fire or something, again, it's a funny memorable moment. But no person catches on fire, or if they do we shove them off the pier before they get hurt or we get charged extra for anything from the venue." 

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"We let the lanterns go, all squeeze each other with love, then BAM, boat rides up to pier, we swing the doors open, and everyone claps as we say our goodbyes and hop on the boat and zoom off into the lake (where we will circle the lake for a good while, looking at the stars and cuddling, until we come back to the docks right next to wear we zoomed away, and giddily skip to our hotel room, where we take-in how beautiful everything was, and pass out).

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Esther's ideal continues: "Everyone peacefully says there goodbyes to each other, lots of hugs and "so nice to get to meet you, welcome to the family" and just a feeling of communal love and that no one was offended or punched anyone."

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.