Yesterday I shot my 3rd wedding, for the 3rd weekend, in a row. My best friend, and amazing photographer, Jocelyn Lea shot all 3 with me. Towards the end of the night, I had a guest ask me if it's hard shooting weddings because we take pictures of people having a good time and we don't get to. Now, let me start by saying, wedding's are the most exhausting 'session' a photographer can have, in my opinion. We are on our feet all day, carrying heavy equipment, in sometimes very hot weather. There are times we don't eat all day because we are afraid of missing that one shot. We have to direct very large groups of people all day, which can be difficult at times. We are the bride and grooms eyes, ears and mouth often as well. It's takes me a day of recouping after a wedding for my back and legs to stop aching. The stress in and of itself, to make sure you are taking and giving your clients the best work you've ever done, can be quite overwhelming at times.

Now that I've painted this awful picture for you about weddings and a photographers job, let me tell you all the wonderful things about capturing weddings. We are the people that get to be there and see both the bride and groom soak in the love and excitement, the tears and laughter, with family and friends as they prepare for the day. We get to capture the moment the bride puts on her wedding dress and feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. We get to be there as the groom sits with his groomsmen talking and laughing about old and new adventures. When father of the bride sees his daughter for the woman she now is. The look on the grooms face when he sees his bride for the first time. The kiss that seals their vows. The father/daughter dance. The mother/son dance. I could go on and on about the privilages we're allowed to capture on our clients wedding day, but it would take far too long.

Weddings are no doubt long, exhausting days and the weeks that follow are full of editing and second-guessing. But, then you'll get to that one picture that you could not be more proud of and you can't wait for your clients to see. To know that your images will be something for your clients to look back on for years to come, to smile and cry about, to hang on their wall. That is truly an unbelievable feeling. So, my answer to the guest that asked if it's hard to shoot weddings, no sir. It's both my job and my privilege.

Here's a pic from each wedding I shot over the last 3 weeks!