Katherine Dalton's wedding photography doesn't just document the marriage of two people. Her photography captures what weddings should be about: the willingness of two people to commit to one another for the rest of their lives because of their unconditional love of each other. She captures the emotion and significance of these moments so well that it is hard not to feel connected to the couples in the photos. This photo of Liz and Ed was taken to capture the precious, monumental moments leading up to the big "I dos." It reflects the finality of them as single individuals before they become one; and is meant to evoke in the viewer the understanding of the importance of faith in making a commitment to another person for the rest of their life. Dalton was able to portray these things in this single photo through the angle of the shot, the implied relationship between the two, and the symbolism behind the event that is being captured. Her photography makes the viewers re-think the principal of marriage and question whether society has made it to be something less than it really is.

The placement of Liz and Ed in the center of the photo and the distance between them and the viewer, makes it clear they are the focus of the photo. From that viewers can observe details such as their clothing, expressions and gestures to really understand the meaning and background behind what is seen at first glance. The way Liz is clenching her fiance's hand and the radiating joy she is giving off shows how deeply she cares for this man and how excited she is for their future together. The way their eyes are closed and the fact they are holding hands leads the viewer to believe they are in the middle of a prayer. Those being the first two things depicted in the image emphasizes the couple's faith and how vital it might be in their relationship not only with each other but with God as well. This then addresses the ultimate statement of Dalton's expectations of marriage.

The couple's relationship is evident; it not only shows the weight faith holds in their lives but helps to convey Dalton's overall message of how vital having faith is for marriage. One can assume they are getting married for multiple reasons such as her wedding dress and engagement ring, his tux, and the positions they hold with the door between them -- implying they are avoiding seeing each other before she walks down the isle. They both have their eyes closed, but because they are separated by a door and also holding hands gives the impression they are engaged in a prayer. Prayer is something people who lack a relationship with Christ can still find comfort in but the image of them praying together implies something greater than a slight belief in a Devine being. Other images from this shoot can help to support this idea. In the second image the other women in her wedding party surround Liz with their hands placed on her; her eyes are closed and her head is slightly bowed indicating she is being prayed over. In the third image Liz and Ed are standing before a pastor in front of a cross to show their wedding is most likely being held at a church. All of those images put together imply there is a religious aspect to their lives. Dalton captures the religious aspect of their relationship really well and the repetition of this theme through multiple shoots consolidates her interest in faith oriented marriages. It is also noticeable in this image that neither of them seem dominant. In the bible it is made clear that a man and woman come together as one, this being said Dalton made it a point to emphasize their equality.

Symbolism is a key feature in this photograph as well to reflect the importance of faith in a marriage. Her dress and ring are a symbol of commitment and innocence. Her wedding dress is white which is also a biblical reference to purity. Jesus's blood washed our sins white as snow, similarly her past up until this moment is blemished and the white dress represents the new beginning. In Christ centered relationships each partner knows the other completely and through their mistakes and flaws they are still willing to accept them entirely. Dalton captures this in their expressions and posture. She is so over joyed she is about to cry. Ed looks very concentrated and the way he is standing tall and firm shows the viewer he is all in and willing to put everything he has into this relationship, that he isn't going anywhere, and she can count on him to be her rock. The door dividing them also symbolizes their separate lives up until this point and their holding hands foreshadows their future together but can also be a representation of their last prayer and physical contact with one another as separate individuals. 

