The best thing about photographing a wedding

There is no better moment in capturing a wedding than seeing the bride's smile as she enters the ceremony and see all eyes on her.  Capturing that moment is one of many reasons I love photographing weddings.  

To know that the bride is counting on me to capture the moments she herself cannot see, the look on her face, the cute smile on the flower girl's face as she, sometimes running, comes down the isle.  Capturing the parent's faces as their children exchange vows.. all these photographs will tell the story of a day that often goes by too quickly for the newly married couple.  

Another reason I love to be a part of a wedding is to bring all the hard work and planning into focus.  I know how much work it takes to plan a wedding.  Big or small, the details make the day about the couple, their families, and their future together.  I know how wonderful it was for me to be able to sit back and see my own wedding from the eyes of someone else.  To see that they noticed some of the little details I had worked so hard to have.  I strive to bring all those things together to tell the story of the day for years to come. 

Capturing moments the bride and groom may not know happened is also important.  A favorite photo comes to mind... a younger guest at a wedding, where candles were on the head table, took a marshmellow from the chocolate fountain and decided to roast it over the candle flame!  Caught in the act, a perfect example of candid photography!  A memory that may have gone unnoticed, captured forever.

Of course the most important thing in capturing a wedding is to connect with the bride and groom. Getting to know their personalities is a big part of successfully shooting any wedding.  I really enjoy working with the couples, watching them experience this once in a lifetime day.  Capturing the emotions.  Being able to set down to edit the event photos and know I gathered lasting memories.  Bringing another smile to a bride's face as she looks at her wedding photographs... that is the best thing about photographing a wedding for this photographer.