WEDDING WEDNESDAY | Why am I a Wedding Photographer?
A lot of times when people find out I'm a photographer, the follow-up question is, "what do you photograph?" If you know me, you know my mind immediately starts racing with crazy ideas on what I could say to get a weird look or a chuckle. But, since I am the face of my brand, I dial it back a bit and answer, "my passions are families, engagements and weddings." Now to me, this sounds pretty low-key and honestly a straight-forward response... but it's the word WEDDINGS that make people look at me like I'm crazy!
When I was younger, like most kids, I had aspirations for what I wanted to be... a lawyer was the big one for a long time. Then it transferred to photographer, and for a brief time, I wanted to be a wedding planner. I have always loved weddings and everything that goes into them -- the planning, the busy-ness, the decorating, etc. I find myself enamored with all the little nooks and crannies of the wedding sector, and being a wedding photographer feeds my hidden wedding planner soul. It's a huge rush, and I am never bored!
So once the weird face goes away, the NEXT question is usually, "oh my gosh, I could never do that. Why are you a wedding photographer?" In the moment, I don't typically go into my whole "why" because, well, I tend to ramble and I know most people want that quick answer. So, my response is always, "because I just LOVE all things wedding." However, for the sake of the blog, I have decided to try and break it down more:
I really, really do LOVE weddings.
Pretty cut and dry, doesn't require much explanation. I just LOVE weddings, like I said previously. From the dresses to the tuxes to the flowers to the table decorations. Not to mention just the overall excitement and happiness that is in the air on wedding day. Two families coming together at one, alongside the couples friends to create an atmosphere and love, support and fun?? Heck yes!
The details - always so different and so telling of the couples.
I mentioned above I love decorations and details. Honestly, that's one of my favorite things about photographing a wedding -- one of the first things I always start with on my timeline is the details. I want the dress, the rings, the bouquets, the shoes, anything else that has meaning to the bride and groom on that special day. I take notice at the ceremony and reception and look for those really small details that to some may just be another box or another flower, but after having spent time with my couples at their engagement session and likely in the months leading up, I begin to learn about them and the things that are important to THEM. I hear a lot of my couples say things to me like, "I bought [this] for the wedding, and I would love a picture of it... no one else will probably care, but I will." And that is why I'm there -- for the bride and groom! I want them to be able to remember the day just as their dreamed it -- and in order to do that, I not only need the big picture, but I need the DETAILS!
I am a hard fast romantic who thrives on a good love story.
Every couple I work with has a different love story. Some are incredibly mushy gushy lovey dove and some are simple. Long distance was a huge part of their relationship, while some have barely been away from each other since they started to date. Some met through friends and some found each other through online dating. After my couples decide we are a good fit and choose me to be their legacy preserver (fancy right?), I send them a questionnaire to get to know them a little better. One of my questions is just simply, 'how did you meet?' I would be lying if I said I didn't tear up sometimes -- because I totally do. My couples entrust me with their love stories, and it's just such a beautiful thing.
Being the fly on the wall and giving my clients that unforgettable experience on their big day.
All of the above and more brings me to this -- I am there to document their love story. I always say to my clients that my goal is to be nothing more than a storyteller. I am simply documenting the stories that my couples have been in the process of writing since their relationship began - I am not there to write any portion of their story, I am merely watching them start the next chapter. It's such an incredible position to be in, and I am so very blessed that I have been able to be apart of so many special wedding days.
So, there you all have it - a brief view in the window of why this crazy lady loves being a wedding photographer. I promise that with me, you will never be disappointed in the result.