I remember the first time I discovered The Goodness. Of course I had known The Goodness all along. But only in the way that a child perceives words before the ability to read them. He can obviously see what is written, but the message remains a mystery. They are just jumbled symbols on a piece of paper. I was in San Juan Capistrano not so long ago photographing what was to be one of my most memorable enagement sessions. The air was salty as the waves splashed against the storm kissed rocks of the west coast. I had just set Kristina and Daniel up for a shot on the railroad tracks at the base of a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The cold November air had a bit of a bite to it. I was changing lenses when I just happen to look up and see that Daniel had wrapped is arms around his beautiful bride-to-be and pulled her closer as if to keep her warm. Then he leaned in even closer and whispered something that made her melt. She didn’t laugh. She didn’t smile. She just snuggled into his embrace and sighed. The good kind of sigh. At that very moment I oh so subtly put the camera to my eye, released the shutter, and seized a moment that few will ever get to experience in a lifetime. I don’t know what he said. Maybe it was three little words. Maybe it was much more. What was said is not important. What is important is that it was ever said at all. And that of all the photographers on this expansive , wondrous planet, the universe chose me to be there when he said it. I heart you universe.

When reviewing the image on my screen I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. I was so overjoyed to have captured such an intimate, wonderful moment between lovers on film that I remember saying something to the likes of ”Oh, SO good”. Kristina, smirked turned to kiss Daniel, and responded with an ever so slight “So. Much. Goodness”. Just loud enough to be heard. And THAT my friends is when I first truly discovered The Goodness. The Goodness is many different things to many different people. To some its a Sunday afternoon with the windows rolled down and Carly Simon on the radio. To others its a tender kiss on the nape of the neck. And still to others its cuddling on the couch for a TIVO’d Grey’s Anatomy episode with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s (each of course). To me The Goodness is a subtle look. Its the laughter found in the loss of a staring contest. Its the sun flare at precisely 7:10pm when the light is golden and buttery. But at that very moment The Goodness was a whisper. A secret between a man and a woman.

Becoming aware of The Goodness has made me a better person. A more profound artist. Its presence surrounds me with every couple I photograph. I am thankful not to have found it, but to have realized it was there all along.