I often get the question, “what’s your favorite thing to photograph?”

For me, the answer is easy. Stories.

I always get excited for a session when I’m about to tell a compelling photo story. It could be a portrait session where I get to tell the story of an individual or a family, or it could be a branding session where I can tell the story of a business. While I love to capture these, without a doubt, the stories that get me the most excited are weddings.

Weddings give me creative freedom that other sessions rarely allow. It’s an exciting challenge to take the venue, the weather, the people, and all the little details and bring them all together in a compelling, beautiful, artistic manner. Those challenges excite me every time!

Being able to creatively explore while also telling the story of family makes it an even more rich experience. A couple coming together to be married has two extensive histories, from how they were raised by their parents, to their relationship with siblings and grandparents, to their education, travel experience, friends, skills, and much more. Every wedding has two completely unique people coming together to form something brand new, the beginning of a new story! That legacy is powerful, and it makes the experience wonderful to document.

During the time leading up to a wedding, I also get the opportunity to get to know my couples on a level that I don’t usually get outside of a wedding. After meetings, engagement sessions, rehearsals, etc., I understand my clients in a way that allows us to go deeper, capturing images and moments that are most meaningful to them.

People always think my job has to be super stressful, or that I must have to deal with awful wedding clients. The bride-zillas of the world have given all of the amazing brides a bad rap. I’ll admit, it was stressful in the beginning, as all things that are new can be, but these days I never worry about getting the shot. My only concern is being in the right place at the right time, and putting my clients at ease, free to be present. Overall, I am blessed with wonderful, caring clients who invite me into one of the most beautiful times of their life. Weddings are full of stories, and I’m always excited to be a part of it.