Why I Am A Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography has been my full-time job since 2006. Before I was a wedding photographer, I specialized in portraits of babies, children and families. When asked if I photographed weddings, my answer was always an emphatic "No!" Too much pressure, too much stress…too important. I didn't think I was up to the monumental task of capturing all the things that a wedding photographer is tasked with: details, action, reaction, emotion and iconic moments in the life of a family. It was challenging enough getting a two-year old to stay still long enough to get a great shot. I knew if I really messed it up, I could re-shoot. But weddings?? A one-shot deal? No way, no how.

But then, something happened. My grandmother decided to remarry. And she asked me to photograph her wedding. I was terrified. But how do you say "no" to your grandmother? I couldn't.

So I read everything I could about wedding photography. I talked to photographers I knew who shot weddings, taking notes furiously. In the weeks leading up to my grandmother's wedding, I tested and re-tested my equipment. I practiced stopping motion. I played "what if?" long into the night. "What if" my camera broke? (I'd use my back-up.) What if the light in the church was horrible and I couldn't use my flash? (I'd make my camera as sensitive to light as I could with a high ISO…and pray.) What if I missed the kiss? (I couldn't even think about it.) What if my grandmother hated the pictures? (Was I crazy? She was my grandmother. She was going to love anything I did).

I don't remember much about the actual wedding, but I'll never forget my grandmother's face when I gave her the proofs. She cried. I cried. She told me I'd made her look beautiful. I told her she was beautiful, no matter what I did. And just like that, I was in love…with wedding photography.

It took quite a while (three years, actually) before I could make the leap to photographing weddings full-time. For the first year, with Frank's help, I worked like a madwoman. We shot 30 weddings our first year in business at ridiculously low prices. If I'd known then what I know now about the amount of time, energy and  resources (of both the financial and emotional variety) it would take to shoot and fulfill those 30 weddings, I would have known to triple what I was asking for.  I made next to no money that first year. But those 30 weddings reinforced what I suspected was true after shooting my grandmother's wedding: this is a deeply fulfilling job.

And one that is often really, really hard work.

Anyone reading this who thinks it must be fun to be a wedding photographer  -- you're right. It is fun. It is also pressure-filled, emotional, stressful, often frustrating and at times, maddening. The actual "fun" part -- the act of photographing someone or something -- is only a small part of what I do each week. The rest is all business: marketing, accounting, record-keeping. Shipping. Answering emails. Over-seeing the production of albums and coffee-table books, prints and canvases. I do more "project management" now than when I was employed by an advertising agency as a Project Manager.

 

Wedding photography is also an expensive business. While the cost to hang out your shingle as a photographer is fairly low compared to, say, opening a restaurant, the costs to build and maintain a successful business are high. The hours are odd and long. Best time to photograph outdoors? Sunrise and sunset. And honestly, the next person who asks me if it's great to only have to work one day a week is going to get clocked. The cost of heirloom-quality products is high. I believe we've become a society that is satisfied with "good enough." We've become used to stuff wearing out, breaking down, going bad. When that happens, we throw it away and go get another one. I've chosen to be a part of an industry that places a high value on things that last. Things whose value increases with each passing year.  Ken Luallen, a photographer I greatly admire, says that what he does is more than taking pretty pictures of a couples' "Big Day." Instead, he creates a tangible reminder of the day two people promised, come hell or high water and damn the divorce rate, that they would stay true to each other. He's giving them something that they can hold in their hands, show their children and say, "See this? This is the day we became a family."

That's an idea that really resonates for me. But. I'd be lying if I wrote that the pressure doesn't weigh me down like an anchor some days. It's my clients who bring me back up. Every little note, every email, every Facebook wall post that tells me I've done a good job is so sweet.  Sweet as in precious. Highly desired, greatly appreciated.

Some weddings are easy. Some are not. Some weddings I have all the time I need to create the kind of photographs that have grace and beauty and will be valued, not just today or tomorrow, but in 50 years. Some days I barely have enough time to squeeze off a full-length portrait of the bride and groom before it's time to rush to the reception (guess which days are my favorites?). I feel such deep gratitude to and affection for the couples who grant us the privilege of documenting their weddings. With every anniversary, every new baby, I celebrate with you. It gives me such happiness to be able to look back at each wedding, remember and say, "See that? That's the day they became a family. And I got to photograph it." 

 

May 31, 2010 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Carolina Inn Weddings: Stephanie and Scott are married!

There's a corner of my heart set aside for couples who get married at the Carolina Inn because that's where Frank and I got married years and years ago. It's such a special place for us. Anytime we get to shoot there, it is always a pleasure. And when we have clients like Stephanie and Scott, we're just in seventh heaven. The inn was the busiest I've ever seen it -- two weddings, a prom and a good-size corporate party all going on more or less at once, but the staff was on top of everything, even when the threat of rain forced some last-minute reconfiguring of spaces. So while things were hopping downstairs, the atmosphere upstairs where Stephanie and her bridesmaids got dressed was much more relaxed.

 

 

 

 

In true Carolina Girl fashion, Stephanie choose the perfect shade of blue for her eight bridesmaids' dresses.

 

 

 

 

 

What would a wedding be without giggly flower girls...

 

 

 

 

...and a reluctant ring bearer?

 

 

 

 

Love these two shots of the couple with their grandmothers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite the color-coordinated (and good-looking) wedding party, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel Hamm and her team at Bliss by Sam did a great job of coordinating the ceremony. Here's the wedding party lined up, ready to go.

I think we were all holding our breath, hoping that the rain that was threatening to pour would hold off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It did.  :)

 

 

 

 

Best. Recessional. Ever.  I couldn't pick a favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had just enough time for a few couple portraits and the wedding party shots before the rain poured down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sampling of all the Carolina Blue and orange-accented details, featuring another edible work of art by the always-amazing Lorie at Simply Cakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jason at Island Sound did a great job keeping everyone on their feet all night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie and Scott welcomed quite a few kids to the reception. I think they had as much fun as the adults did. Who doesn't love the Casper Slide (Part 2)?

 

 

 

 

 

Ah...so inspiring to see the older generation passing along dance tips to the whipper-snappers.

 

 

 

 

I think he's got it.

 

 

 

 

So does the flower girl...

 

 

 

 

 

until a nap calls.

 

 

 

 

 

Last dance.

 

 

 

 

 

Whether it's walking down an aisle or making their grand exit from the reception, Stephanie and Scott are one couple who really know how to make an exit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie and Scott, thanks for letting us share your amazing wedding day!

May 28, 2010 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Becky and John: Engaged!

For Becky and John's engagement session, we traveled to Wendell, the little town on the outskirts of the Triangle where Becky grew up. I love exploring and shooting in these small towns; you never know what you'll find! Becky and John were so fun and easy to photograph. Obviously, our cameras love them almost as much as they love each other. We're looking forward to Becky's bridal portrait session this week and the wedding in July. Here are just of few of the many images that made the "favorites" list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guess what day they're getting married?

 

 

 

 

Becky has the best smile. She just lights up when she's with John.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved the color of Becky's dress. When I saw this teal-ish door, I knew I had to have a shot of them in front of it, loose bricks and all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 24, 2010 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

May Madness

Goodness, but it's been a while since I posted! I'm blaming it all on May.

You've heard of March Madness, I know. Well, we in the wedding photography world have our own crazy month and it's May. More people get married in May now than in June. (I think that's because it's just too hot here by the time June rolls in.)

 

There are two months that I know for certain, year after year, will always be full-to-bursting with weddings. One is October (usually perfect weather in North Carolina); the other is May.

 

I love May. As I sit here writing this on a Friday night, I'm so excited about the wedding we'll photograph this weekend. And next weekend. And the weekend after that. And the weekend after THAT. By the time May 31 rolls around, I'm going to be exhausted and the real work will only be just getting going: editing images, creating slide shows, designing albums. It's a happy tired because nothing gives me more joy than photographing weddings.

 

So when things get busy, the blog gets the short end of the attention-stick. I've got lots of posts with the word DRAFT in big red letters beside them, just waiting for me to show them a little love. They're on their way, I promise. Until then, how about a sneak peek from Stephanie and Scott's April wedding. One of my all-time favorite recessional shots. I love it.

 

 

I love the pure emotion on their faces. I love that they're not paying any attention to me. I love that their happiness is just jumping right out of the image. This is why I love weddings. If you're getting married this month or have been honored with an invitation to a wedding, soak all that pure joy up. It's a rare thing.

 

Soon, there will be lots of new stuff on Pixel Dust, I promise. Happy May!

 

May 08, 2010 | Wedding Photography | 3 Comments »