I’ve found that best wedding photo collections emerge from the days when I let myself connect with you and your guests

I’m not the fly-on-the-wall photographer. I’ve tried that approach, but I’ve found that best wedding photo collections emerge from the days when I let myself connect with you and your guests, offer suggestions about the best location to put on your dress, and sample that appetizer that floats by me during cocktail hour. Of course for your special ceremonies and other planned events, I try to be as unobtrusive as possible (yay for my big ol’ zoom lens!), but when the dancing starts you can expect me out on the floor with my camera in hand.

Getting Ready

for the wedding offers some of the best candid moments and I love to hang in the corner and capture those laughs between friends, hugs between family, champagne glass cheersing, hair dryers on the armpits, face-stuffing snacking, and “how the hell do we pin this boutonniere--ouch, dude!” moments. But at the same time, while you are in the moment, I am fully aware of your schedule and offering updates and suggestions to keep your day moving smoothly. Likewise, as I am capturing you putting on your dress, if I notice that the light is so much better in another corner of the room (or another room entirely), I will definitely jump in with a suggestion. (Whether you choose to take my advice or not is entirely up to you!) With my goal being to capture your story artistically, I’m constantly aware of the light, the mirrors and window reflections, and other factors in the space around us and I will choose to take advantage of those elements to highlight the finer details of your story.

When the ceremony starts

my role changes entirely. I will happily offer you any suggestions prior to the ceremony and reception about where you or your wedding party should stand, if any decor elements should be tweaked, and how to enter or exit the events. But when the ceremony starts, I do not want to interfere! This is a very special ritual and my goal is to go unnoticed and be unobtrusive.

But for the family portraits

think of me as a kindergarten teacher. I am loud, I am vocal, I am calling out names, giving high-fives, and trying to get these done as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Family portraits are usually not so creative but they are incredibly important! How often are all of those nearest and dearest to you gathered together in one place and looking so dapper?! And I would hate to forget to include Uncle John in the photo because I didn't know he existed or to have everyone in the group photo except your cousin because she ran to the loo. This is why I'll ask you for a very detailed list of names prior to the big day.

Bride and groom portraits

are one of my favorite parts of your day and hopefully you'll feel the same way! Ideally, we’ve scheduled a bit of time to frolic around your venue or travel to that special location that you’ve chosen. I have two goals here: capture the love and emotion conversing between you and to creatively capture you in the beautiful environment that you’ve chosen. The tall pine forest or the willow by the lake, the bustling city park or the grafitti-smothered alley--you chose this spot because it speaks to you and I want to ensure that vibe is forever etched into your wedding story. The last thing I want is for this to feel like another rushed set of portraits to complete before getting on with the show. Instead, I want this to be a special time for y’all to be present with each other, laugh at what didn’t go as planned, and get re-energized for what’s still to come! And while I’m capturing the moment, if I see some beautiful environmental pattern, nook in the landscape, or awesome ray of light, I’ll definitely suggest we set you up for a creative shot!

Those are my jam!

The reception

is a time where I focus on candid, candid, candid! I love capturing little kids twirling on the dance floor, group tequila shots at the bar, scrunched faces of laughter from the best man’s roast.. I mean toast! And those classic “will you take a picture of us?” shots--of course I will! But unlike the ceremony where I try to be unobtrusive, as the evening rolls in and so does the party, it’s better to imagine me as more of a reception guest! You’ll likely find me in the middle of the dance floor mouthing the words to that rap song your old school mates requested while I capture everyone busting out their best (and worst!) moves, roaming the bonfire circle and capturing the flames surrounding your singing groomsmen, or chatting with your uncle while I refuel on one of your delicious sweet treats. (Ummm, but really, if you don’t want me to eat one of those donuts, let me know. They look too good not to try!)