The picture on the left is the best taken of us on our wedding day.

I know.  It’s sad.

The fact is, I brought it on myself.  I didn’t prioritize wedding photography in my budget, and by the time I got to it, I was annoyed and tired with wedding planning, so I chose the first bad photographer I met – even though his sample books were… ugly.  I chose the lowest package, which didn’t even give him time to get good shots, and I timed everything so the best light had vanished by the time our ceremony ended. So I accept the blame. :-)

But I admit that with each passing year, I am sorrier that I made the mistake of choosing a bad wedding photographer and not giving him the opportunity to do a better job.

My wedding day was the happiest day of my life.  I was outrageously in love, overflowing with joy, and basking in the knowledge that John felt the same for me that I felt for him.  And though I can recall those feelings this very moment (which is why I cry at all the weddings I shoot!!), I have no pictoral evidence of them.

I absolutely floated through the day, knowing that *nothing* – not the rain storm that stubbornly poured all morning, nor the manure pile landscapers had dropped on the church’s main walkway – could stop me from standing by John’s side that evening and promising to stay there until death did us part.  But the pictures just show a stiffly-posed bride with a glassy-eyed smile.

It was easy for John and me to prioritize our guest list over everything else.  We were truly surrounded and uplifted that day by love, support, prayer, and well-wishes from our large families, wedding party of 16, and a church packed full of dear friends.  Yet our pictures show no trace of the emotion in the sanctuary that night.

We got married in April, on a gorgeous spring evening, with daffodils in bloom.  But we don’t have a single detail or establishing shot.  Only images that accept – rather than make the best of – the dim reception site we chose because it would accomodate our large guest list.

I don’t have an album for John and I to reminisce over on anniversaries.  I don’t have a single print in our home declaring to our children, friends, and visitors that we made a promise when we were young(er) and starry-eyed… and that we’ve never yet regretted that promise.

That’s why I don’t just show up at a wedding.  I shoot just about every single day, practicing new techniques I read about or ideas that excited me the previous day.  Susie and I invest in the best equipment we can afford.  We seek out ongoing training to build our skills and expand our creativity.  We are devoted to customer service and have filled our workflows with multiple opportunities to learn about our bride’s personalities, visions, and preferences.  And we never, ever coast during a wedding.  After a shot, we push ourselves to find another, different, better angle from which to take the next shot.  We do our best to anticipate moments and look for scenes unfolding, sometimes those that occur even out of the bride or groom’s sight.  We work confidently through any surprises. We’re on your side and we’ll never, ever do anything that will add to the stress of your day. We’re professionals and we make it work.

We’re not so arrogant as to believe that the images we walk away with are the only way you’ll remember your wedding day.  But… they are the only way you’ll be able to tell the story of your day.  And your wedding is a story worth telling well.

Yes, if I could go back, I’d make my wedding photography a much higher priority.  But that’s the only thing I’d do differently. :-)

I’m really no good at being sappy and sentimental.  I never have been.  Since I’ve been married, though, I think sometimes I think that little hints of sappiness show themselves every once in a while, and it makes me happy.  I start to think maybe I am more normal than I thought.  Or is that normal?

My husband and I are pretty much complete opposites personality-wise.  He’s outgoing, the entertainer in a crowd, and I tend to be much more reserved in a group setting.  [Unfortunately for him, being reserved doesn’t transfer over when it’s just him and I – I’m sure there are times he wishes it would!]  He’s quick to compliment, I have a hard time.  He can talk to anyone about anything. I find myself struggling past the first small talk.  He saves money way better than I do.  He’s sensitive to people’s feelings. I don’t even realize they have feelings.  He likes to get out of the house to do stuff. I like doing stuff inside.  He dresses for comfort. I dress for the cute factor.  However, despite all our differences,  Akie and I have great times together, and get along so well. We really are best friends.  We laugh together over crazy things.  We call each other just because. We tease each other mercilessly.  We just love hanging out together.

One of the biggest compliments, though, that Akie gives me is when he says [and he does it often!] that I have brought a lot of joy into his life.  I just think it’s the sweetest thing ever.  He really is so good to me.

                                                                                                           Photo Credit: Abigail Friederich

I love you, hon.