Casas Barrier Chapel is a newer building, added to the spacious compound of the much larger Casas Church, between, La Cholla Blvd. and Lambert Lane, in Oro Valley, Arizona.
Photographing weddings in either church building is always a treat for me! I have several family members who happen to be faithful members of the much bigger Casas Church. I have even attended services there myself on occasion. As a wedding photographer, having any kind of familiarity with a church or wedding venue, knowing its nuances, helps you to be more resourceful and creative in your photography. My home-office is also located just two short miles away, which makes photographing weddings here almost like sliding the door open to trim the bushes in my own backyard. I love it!
Architecturally, between the two church buildings at Casas used for wedding ceremonies, the Barrier Chapel is probably better tailored for weddings. Anna and Cory’s wedding, the pictures of which can be seen below, was the first time I ever photographed there. When compared to main church building, which is huge, the chapel’s smaller size lends itself to a more intimate and perhaps traditional setting. It also offers two separate and very well suited rooms for the bride and bridegroom to make last minute preparations.
As a photographer, I always look at lighting and found the interplay of natural and artificial light inside the chapel to be exceptional, when compared to that of most churches. Lighting conditions can change, however. Weather conditions, the different times of day and year can all factor into it.