Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Harry Acosta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Harry, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers
started off as a concert photographer. A fellow employee asked me to photograph her wedding. I refused, stating, I don’t want to be responsible for ruining her wedding. After some more conversations, I finally agreed. The photos turned out terrific and I realized, I should say yes to everything. Even if I’m not experienced with an event, my skills on the computer are enough to fix most anything. I agreed to every event everywhere, and quickly realized, there are some situations I cannot fix in post.
One wedding in particular had me fearful for my own life. I pulled in to the driveway to which my GPS had led me. There was a man standing in the drive, potentially dressed for a wedding and listening to Bastille on his mobile phone. I asked him if this was the right place, and he nodded and turned his back to me. I won’t go into to much detail on the location or people, but when I walked to the front door a woman I thought was the bride greeted me. Unaware I was talking to her twin, I set up my gear in the backyard.
I was early, so I also helped set up. Once the guests arrived things went strange. The groom got into an argument with the officiant. After losing, he pulled a leg off the chair he was to sit in for the meal and chucked it into the woods like a tomahawk (his words).
During the ceremony, he turned to the guests and challenged any of them to come between him and his new bride. I’m not trying to make light of issues that may be present in this situation. I do wish I would have been properly briefed before the wedding day. The guests were much more prepared than I was. They didn’t seem surprised, just uncomfortable.
After the ceremony, the officiant was invited to stay but she refused. Mentally, I was thinking, take me with you as I saw her pull away.
There was some small talk between the groom and me. He asked if I was any good, and I confidentally replied, “yes”. Somehow this earned his favor. He smiled at me and left me alone, but there was more to endure.
When it came time to cut the cake, the bride called him over with the largest kitchen knife I’ve ever seen. I thought to myself, don’t let him near that. He walked over to the cake and held the knife with his new bride while they discussed what to do. He assessed the opportunity and grabbed the knife away from her. He swung at the cake with one hand and chopped it in half horizontally. He chose not to smash the cake into her face, but smash her face into the cake by the back of her neck.
Through the cake, you could see the bride was upset. In a moment of frustration, she said, “Trevor … You’re a real turd!”
It was at that moment, I realized I was jealous of these two. I thought to myself, I need to find a woman like her, because I don’t know anyone who would put up with all that from me.
Note: I’ve since found someone who loves me and supports me in life and my business. In any event, I no longer photograph events at people’s houses.
