Behind the Scenes

with me

on a Wedding Day

I hope that this blog post will give you a sneak peek to see what’s going on behind the scenes.

Every Wedding Day is different.  Whether we’re running on schedule or not, my couples still want beautiful photos to remember their day.  This post shows a little bit of that magic that I’ve kept in my back pocket.

If you want to see the full blog post on this Wedding Day click Carrie and Tom’s Wedding Day at The Barn at Willow Brook.  And to see their Spring Time Engagement Session click Carrie and Tom’s Engagement at Harper’s Ferry.

This is just after Carrie had her First Look with her Dad.  He was facing the other way and she tapped his shoulder so he could turn around.  Carrie’s Mom was standing beside me taking photos with her phone when I asked her to join in the moment.  It was a special moment for the three of them.  When Dad’s cry, I cry.  So we all needed tissues after this.

This is just after the First Look with Carrie and Tom.  I’m getting them set up for a few minutes of Couple’s Portraits in front of this amazing barn door at The Barn at Willow Brook.   Sometimes there’s a bridesmaid that attends to the Bride’s dress, but when there isn’t, I’m happy to take a few extra seconds making it look just right.  These photos are what you’ll have to look back on.

When I’m photographing a couple on their Wedding Day, I do my best to really utilize the location.  We stayed at this location for about 4-5 minutes and they ended up getting a variety of looks.

 

Bridal Party Portraits!  They are always entertaining!  I never know what silliness will end up being documented.  But what really just happened was that I nearly fell down the hill!  I was backing up and the 45 degree drop nearly cost us the whole day!  I looked behind me to see Marcy standing there, grinning a bit.  Glad that I didn’t embarrass myself any more than that.

During their Ceremony, they had a videographer.  Sometimes it can be difficult to work around video while simultaneously trying to avoid being in their shot too.  It’s such a push and pull in the moment.  This is a moment when I had to jump in to get the shot or I would’ve missed it.  The videographer was standing in the aisle and walked backwards with them.  While I really try to not be the center of attention, I knew that he would be in my shot if I didn’t move fast.  So, I jumped into action right beside him.  I think we both ended up happy with our shots.

During Cocktail Hour I sneak away to set-up light stands for the Bridal Party Entrance.  I take several test shots to make sure that I have great images especially if I know they’re going immediately into their First Dance.  Even though this barn venue has wonderful natural light pouring in, I prefer to add a little bit more contrast with a couple flashes.

This situation was a little tricky.  The ceiling is low when they first walk in so I’m prepared with my on camera flash to add a little bit of light on them until they get into my ideal spot where my off camera flashes take over.

During dinner time is often when sunset happens.  At this location the sunset was a little earlier only because the sun dips behind a large hill before it sinks below the horizon line.  So if we wanted to get any sun in the shot we had to move a little faster.  Thankfully these two were having so much fun they didn’t mind going out during dinner.

Usually I’ll start by giving you some posing tips, and by this time in our “posing relationship” you know exactly what I’m saying and sunset portrait time flies by.  There’s also a sigh of relief from most couples because the Ceremony is over and the party is just beginning.

Here’s another pic of that sun going down over that big hill.  If we had waited any longer it would’ve been gone.

 

Once I get the shot I’m looking for, I have no problem playing show and tell.  Carrie and Tom were thrilled with the shot too.  I believe that it’s important to get the shot as perfect “in camera” as possible.  While I do know Photoshop, I don’t want to rely on it 100%.   So in a matter of about 7 minutes we accomplished our Sunset Portrait time and I was able to deliver several images that both my clients and the venue love.

A special Thank You to my second shooter, Marcy!  I couldn’t have done these side by side comparisons without you!