A Look Back At 2016

I always look forward to reading my fellow photographers "Year in Review" posts. Even though I run my own photography business, the behind the scenes photos are always my most favorite when scrolling through their entries. As I began to reflect back on 2016 in preparation for writing this post, I found I was at a loss for words. The last half of the year has been so full of sessions and clients new and old, that while I originally felt 2016 was a more humble year compared to others, in actuality it's been my most blessed season to date.

I can't think of anything that embodied or represented my year more than my trip to New York City in April. When I booked Larlee and Jeff's July wedding, Larlee explained to me just how much their city meant to them. Both calling New York City home, she asked if I would be willing to travel up north to capture their engagements. Um - does anyone say no to an all expense paid trip to New York City?? It was a dream to travel there someday, and another dream to shoot there.

I am very lucky that one of my favorite people in the whole world, Kelly, lives in Manhattan and helped show me the ropes before my session later in the week. We toured all around the financial district near her home, the 9/11 Memorial, we saw the Statue of Liberty, and of course - ate at Shake Shack.

One of my favorite stops while I was in New York was visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I received my degree in Art, and studied art history just about every semester it feels like. In what started as a required elective, actually ended up becoming some of my most favorite classes. I was excited to see some of the famous works I once memorized for tests, but I wasn't expecting this:

A real sculpture by Michelangelo. I can't tell you how many of his works we studied. I've grown a bit of anxiety when it comes to flying and traveling, so I don't know if visiting Italy will ever be something I will get to do. I became very emotional seeing this piece in the museum. Being so close to such a work of art, by such an amazing artist, and seeing something that defined such a great phase in my life.

When it came to shoot day, it was so wonderful to catch up with Larlee and to meet her fiance Jeff. I followed their lead as they showed me the city, traveling to Soho and Brooklyn for our session.

Each year I try to tick away at my "shoot bucket list". One item that makes the list year after year, is shooting a proposal. Though I'd received inquiries for them in the past, I was never able to make it work. Then, this past October, a proposal fell right into my lap. 

Jaclyn and her girls have been some of my best clients. I've shot them at least 7 times. She's a girl after my own heart - she loves photos and knows how important they are. It was no surprise when she booked one of my fall mini sessions, and I was happy to hear that her boyfriend, Brad, would be joining us for the second year and we'd be shooting family shots with his daughter. The morning of Jaclyn's session, I received both an email and Facebook message from Brad. He was blowing up all of social media, trying to get in touch with me. He had a surprise in store for their session - he was going to propose. I was ecstatic! 

We did some rough coordinating - we'd wait until the end of the session and I would do a few pictures with just her and Brad. That's when he'd get down on his knee and pop the question. 

When he arrived at the location, I tried to be coy and pretend I didn't know his name. I shook his hand and introduced himself, and all the while I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest with this secret! We started with group shots, I took some of Jaclyn and the girls, some of Brad and his daughter and at the end of everything, I said we'd take some of just Jaclyn and Brad and we'd be "just about done", which was more or less my signal to Brad that it was almost go time. 

So I took some shots of he and Jaclyn. And then some more. And then a few more. What was taking so long?! I wasn't sure if Brad didn't realize this was the end, so I tried to stretch it once more and ask if Jaclyn had any other poses she wanted, and she said she was good. I said, "Let me do just one more and then I think we're good." That's when Brad asked the girls to come back down the trail a bit so they could see what was about the happen - and that's when he finally dropped to one knee.

She said YES! Her hand was shaking from shock, and it was such an amazing moment to be part of, especially given my long history with her and her girls. During their session I also happened to have a shadow and assistant, Ivania, who captured this great image of me mid-proposal. She asked me if I knew that was going to happen, and I finally got to share that I had been in on the surprise all along. 

(Ivania Sieiro)

(Ivania Sieiro)

 This year I really focused on my families, and only had the opportunity to shoot a handful of weddings, all in the second half of the year. If you remember, my second shooter extraordinaire Chance moved out of the area last year. This pretty much sums up how I felt about it going into my wedding season:

(Chance Hammock)

Actually, in the above photo I am fighting a horrible headache just before the reception was to begin. But when I started booking weddings, Chance and I weren't sure if we'd be able to still make things work. Would I have to shoot solo? Would I have to work with someone completely new? I'm happy to say that Chance was able to shoot all but one event where he was needed this past year.

Team "Brewmock" Reunion for Anne and Jeff's Wedding

(Chance Hammock)

(Chance Hammock)

(Chance Hammock)

I don't think any of us could have predicted how absolutely frigid Jeff and Anne's April wedding was! We all thought we'd have gorgeous, Spring weather with green grass, bright sun and blooming flowers. Instead - we had snow. And wind. WHAT?? But Anne and Jeff were total sports. They wanted to grab photos, even if it was freezing cold outside. Even in her strapless dress, Anne never complained once. I kept asking her if she was done, but she was happy to keep going. Very few people can say it snowed on their wedding day, and even fewer can say that it did on their wedding day in April!

(Chance Hammock)

(Chance Hammock)

I certainly could not have shot Alison and Tony's September wedding without Chance by my side. A few weeks earlier when I shot Jeff and Larlee's big day, I came very close to blacking out. I posted about the experience in one of my Instagram behind the scenes videos. I attributed it to not eating enough and it being hot and humid in July. 

I remember walking up the stairs to shoot Jeff and Larlee's wedding rings while Bri and Jan, the videographers, did some video of the couple. I remember my chest pounding, my head throbbing and feeling like my muscles were falling asleep - that tingly sensation. I knew I had to sit down, or I was going to pass out. I also knew that I was panicking, because I was on my own without Chance, and there was no one to fill in for me. There was no time to rest and sort myself out, because we were in a time crunch to take formals before the reception. 

I am so blessed that Bri, Jan, Jeff and Larlee were so kind and patient with me. I tried not to let on how awful I felt, and after begging for water (I have no idea whose it was or where it came from) I started to feel better. I felt fuzzy a few times after that, but tried my best to keep downing Gatorade (which I stopped for between the ceremony and reception) and kneel down whenever I could. 

(Chance Hammock)

For Tony and Alison's big day, I made sure I had Gatorade. I made sure I had a more substantial breakfast. I had sucking candies for a sugar kick. It was hot out, but I was keeping hydrated and knew I'd planned better - or so I'd thought. 

Just as I was getting ready to start to shooting the formals of this beautiful - but ginormous - bridal party, I could feel it happening again. I'd dragged all of these beautiful girls out in heels to this spot out on the golf course. These handsome gentlemen in full suits, in late summer DC humidity. I could feel that tingly feeling in my head again, and I was becoming dizzy. And where was my Gatorade?? 

Back in the bridal suite. 

I alerted Chance and asked him to run and go grab it for me, sure that after getting some hydration I would be fine. The only problem? We were out in the middle of the golf course, and it was a good walk back to the clubhouse. My bridal party were being good sports about being out in the heat, but I knew they were uncomfortable, even in the shade. 

I really had to "fake it til you make it" with these formals. I tried to take a moment to bend down and fiddle with my camera bag to catch my breath, in hopes no one would notice. In all honesty, I don't know how I managed to power through this or how I didn't just burst into tears from anxiety. I just kept saying to myself, "Chance is coming, Chance is coming" and finally, he arrived with my drink. I chugged it down and prayed I wouldn't pass out during the ceremony.  

(Chance Hammock)

Why am I telling you this? As photographers - and especially those who shoot weddings - we can run ourselves ragged. Shooting weddings is incredibly demanding physically. I don't know how the full timers do it each weekend - it can take me a week to recover! But after the multiple additional episodes of dizziness and coming so close to blacking out at even family sessions, I went into the doctor. 

The verdict: I am severely anemic. 

I say I had no idea, despite chewing through 10 glasses of ice in a 2 hour time span. It completely explains why my body was reacting the way it was to the physical stress. My body simply couldn't keep up. I knew I was tired all of the time, but I figured what Mom wasn't, especially one also running a business. The moral of this story is to listen to your body, and make sure that you take care of yourself!

(Chance Hammock)

One of my last sessions was by far one of the most special of my career, not just 2016. 

I've had the pleasure of working with Carly's family multiple times in the past. I've done head shots for Andy, as he is incredibly talented on the trumpet and plays in the Army band. I photographed their sweet baby girl Addy a few weeks after she was born. The oldest of the many Allphins, Carly, shares my love of photography. As we were in the midst of trying to work out an opportunity for her to shadow me on one of my sessions, Carly was diagnosed with Stage IV Ewing Sarcoma - bone cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, she was only 14 years old. At Stage IV, no one really knew what to expect moving forward. With the future uncertain, I was honored to capture these family portraits before Carly began treatment.

The night of our session, Carly went home and shaved her head, in preparation for months of chemotherapy and radiation. Despite such a grim diagnosis, Carly thrived in the face of adversity. Her cheerful disposition aided in her treatment, because she's made remarkable progress. Doctors have been overwhelmed at how well the tumors have responded to treatment. 

When she turned 15 in October, Carly wanted to celebrate with a glamour photo shoot. When she and her mom Krista pitched the idea to me and sent some inspiration photos, I was all in. Carly and Krista took care of makeup and styling, and I reached out to a former vendor who welcomed us to their location with open arms. On Carly's exact birthday, we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. We had the entire property to ourselves, and Carly's beauty radiated through my camera.

I am so incredibly grateful to share that after 14 rounds, Carly is officially done with chemotherapy! Her hair is beginning to even grow back - but I think we can all agree she rocks the bare head and she rocks it hard.

There is so much more from this past year I wish I could share. However, it would lead to a very lengthy post, and I already worry I've droned on for far too long as it is. I'll save more bits and pieces for my Instagram, and that's also where you'll be able to see all of the behind the scenes action for the coming year. 

I anticipate a lot of fun changes to Kelli Brewer Photography in 2017, but one thing that won't change is my gratitude for each of my clients, each of my followers, and each member of my family and group of friends that support me. I don't do what I do to support a lifestyle I otherwise couldn't achieve. I have a love of photography that stems back to my teen years. I thrive on meeting new people. I live for that moment when I can get a toddler to finally crack a smile. It's rewarding to know my own children see and understand how much I love what I do. 

(Chance Hammock)

For all the close calls this past year, the miles of driving, the evenings spent on the computer editing and watching Netflix into all hours of the night - I wouldn't have it any other way. Here's to hoping 2017 is just as exhausting - and equally as rewarding. Happy New Year!

A Look Back at 2015 - Behind the Scenes

2015 was a phenomenal year for my business. There were so many huge opportunities and milestones this year. The professional, business owner in me said to act as if it's no big deal, to create this facade that I've always been uber successful and boss. But the truth is that I was screaming inside, unable to cope with how much fun I was having! I just kept pinching myself, thinking, "Is this real life?"

I managed to travel more than ever before and possibly in all my previous years combined. I flew across the country to shoot my first destination wedding. I traveled 6 hours to photograph my first male senior session. I shot my first beach engagement session! In total, I shot in 5 different states over the past 12 months - Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Utah and Massachusetts. 

I started and ended my year of travel with two separate trips to Utah. I was so excited and eager to shoot in the mountains. I never appreciated Utah's beauty when I lived there for school, so I was grateful to go back and was humbled by just how extraordinary the scenery is. Many of my friends still reside in Utah, and some of my favorite photographers work out of the state. It was fulfilling to go back to where my dreams of a photography business began and to photograph some of my very first clients. 

Do you want to know what one of the biggest highlights this past year was? I had my very first Lobster Roll and IT. WAS. AMAZING. Just a few months after sampling this little heaven on a bun, I traveled to Massachusetts and tasted an authentic New England Lobster Roll. Shooting in Martha's Vineyard was an unbelievable experience because never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd ever find myself there. It's because of my business and my wonderful clients that I've tried so many new things and traveled to so many unique places.  

This past May brought the new challenge of being a second shooter, or second photographer, for the very first time. While many wedding photographers "second" for well-established photographers in order to get their feet wet in the wedding industry, I skipped that step when I began taking on weddings almost immediately.

I couldn't think of anyone better to second for than my own second shooter extraordinaire, Chance Hammock for his first wedding as the Primary Photographer.

I loved relinquishing full control. When you're the Primary at a wedding, there are a lot of check boxes constantly being checked in your mind. Capturing the event as a whole rests solely on your shoulders. Seconding allowed me to focus a lot more on the details since my role was much less significant. Detail shots were an area I really wanted to spend more focusing on, learning to take my time and be more creative. Detail shots also warranted the addition of a macro lens to my arsenal of gear!

When I talk about adding gear, there was no bigger game changer for me and my business than the addition of the Expodisc. With as much as I talk about it, you'd think I was some kind of paid spokesperson for these things. But in the words of Joey Tribiani, "these babies sell themselves". One of the easiest ways to spot a new photographer is the quality and saturation of color in their photos. It's something that even seasoned photographers struggle with. 

That all changed for me with a simple $50 investment. Chance managed to capture a shot of the Expodisc in action. It's as simple as placing it over my lens, standing in front of my subjects and snapping a picture under the custom white balance setting. It takes all of 10 seconds, and saves me so much time in post. 

Anyone who doesn't think photography is a workout, or thinks we're exaggerating when we come home from a shoot and need to pop some ibuprofen is cray-cray. You'd be amazed at how many positions a photographer will find themselves in to get the shot.

Now, what I am about to say is debatable, but to me, weddings are the Olympics of photography. Why? Well, they're an all day event. Round trip, I can spend upwards of 12 hours off shooting an event. Despite the time investment, you're working with a lot of people and a lot of personalities. If you want to be a fierce competitor in the wedding business, you certainly can't be meek. I'm hoarding huge groups at a time, and it's important to be able to command attention. New to wedding photography? Fake it 'til you make it! Commanding so many clients at a time is all about confidence and letting subjects know that they're in good hands.  While there's no gold medal at the end of a long wedding day, there are sometimes goodie bags with cake!  

Speaking of confidence, it's not uncommon to have a good 10-15 people minimum looking over my shoulder when I am working at a wedding. Through experience and communication with my couple before the big day, I don't let the fact that I am out numbered ever frazzle me. I don't let "Uncle Bob" get to me either. Being a good wedding photographer is all about finding the balance between accomplishing what you need to, to best serve your client, and respecting your client's guests. I am always more than happy to step aside for friends and family to snap a shot or to give my bride and groom some breathing room.

This year I definitely took a more visual approach to my instruction and I think it really paid off. I can get very hands on with my clients or find myself on the ground, throwing myself into the shot. I always ask before I touch my clients, and I usually work as the male counterpart so I am touching my female clients.

One of the first things many clients will tell me is that they're very unnatural in front of the camera. They worry about how they will photograph but as you look through my work, you'd never guess it. Clients all need different levels of direction. I can visually describe what I am looking for, and then some clients really benefit from seeing what I'm envisioning. 

I think it goes without saying that I love what I do. I couldn't do any of this without you. Whether you're a client I've served, a "liker" on Facebook or a family member of friend who has given me words of encouragement. 

     

I want you to know that while some of this past year may have seemed very glamorous, or the life I lead looks fast paced and exciting, your support helped send my children to preschool. It helped fund swimming lessons and gymnastics. It helped my family pay the medical bills when my son had his sledding accident back in February. It repaired countless issues on my husband's commuter car. I'm a small business, but the love and support I receive from my clients is huge. I can't begin to thank you enough for all that you gave me this past year and I hope to do even more for you in 2016.  

Behind the Scenes - 2013 Edition

Well, 2013 has come to a close. I spent my New Years at home with sick kids and starting to feel a little sickness coming on myself. I guess I'm getting old... I also have taken the past few days to reflect back on 2013 from a business stand point. As I said in my previous post, professionally, I met all of my goals and then some. I couldn't have asked for more this year without just plain being greedy. I'm so grateful that as I've grown professionally so many of you have stuck with me and continued to trust me over and over again with your memories. I'm repaying that trust by welcoming you to a behind the scenes look at Kelli Brewer Photography, and to share with you some of my experiences over the past year. More specifically, a look at one of the two weddings I shot this year.



As a budding photographer, these kinds of posts were my favorite - seeing a photographer in action and learning from them, whether it was positive or negative. As a client or reader, I hope you find the inside scoop behind what I do at least informative if not fascinating. Every photographer is a bit different, but this is how I run things behind the show.

Before we delve too far into this post, I have to thank Chance Hammock for all the awesome photos of me in action.

As my second shooter, I rely on Chance a lot. He's the "safety net" for me in many ways: If I get ill, or another 'act of God' prevents me from being where I need to be, he provides extra equipment and assistance with my own equipment, he helps me split up shots to cut down on shooting time, we bounce ideas off each other and quite frankly, it just wouldn't be as fun without him. Just imagine being a guest at a wedding where all you know is the bride and groom, and you're in a room full of strangers all night. I can mingle with the best of them, but it's so nice to have a buddy to share the job with.

Chance saved me in more than one regard at Katie and Ryan's wedding. Yes, photographers make mistakes (at least this one does) and gear fails. Just as we were about to get things underway I was double checking my equipment, primarily my flash. Suddenly, it wasn't turning on. I cursed my husband under my breath for probably giving me faulty batteries after a long debate of using rechargeable ones vs. buying tried and true new ones at the store. I tried another set from Chance and still, nothing. We really didn't have a lot of time and I was weighing my options when Chance pulls a second flash out of his bag. I ended up shooting with it all night. He saved my butt big time.

Also - batteries can corrode inside a flash unit, just an FYI.

I was at the front of the chapel capturing the big "Mr. and Mrs. Gorman!" moment when I realized the ceremony was over.

By the time I got to the back of the chapel, this is where the bride and groom were. See Chance? Yeah, he caught that awesome shot on the right. Giving the bride and groom two angles of the same moment.

A lot of bride and grooms don't realize just how special it is to have two photographers at your wedding. I've said it before: I can't be in two places at once. Especially in large locations, I can't literally be running from one end of the chapel to the other (though I have given some mall speed walkers a run for their money). Chance and I seem to just know where to be. We have a "game plan" before we begin, but we seemingly end up at opposite points of the room, capturing the moments from different angles. It's because of this we're able to see things happening the other can't and we don't miss out on so much happening around us. 

I was never here. You saw nothing.

When I'm shooting the ceremony of the wedding, I only get one opportunity to capture it all. It's really hard to know how long the ceremony will be - if it's only 5 minutes and I've taken my time, I might only end up with 10 usable shots. Better to go crazy with the shutter than say "thanks for paying me your life savings, here are your 10 photos"!

Because I'm having to move so fast, I can be all over the place during a ceremony. However, the trick is to be quiet (I wear shoes with rubber soles), get low (my thighs usually hurt come the next day - photography is a great workout) and stay out of the guest's way. I always touch base with the Officiant prior to the wedding to know where I can and cannot go and if they have any requests for behavior on my part. The last thing any photographer wants is for this to happen to them. For example, during Katie and Ryan's Catholic Mass, I could not go down the aisle more than a few feet, I had to stay two rows back on either side, I could not go onto/behind the altar and I could not use my flash. Did you get all that? I'll admit, I was absolutely petrified I was going to make a mistake and some big bodyguards were going to tackle me to the ground.

Following their ceremony however, I spoke with the Officiant as we waited for the family to gather for formal portraits. He thanked me for my services, and told me that he never noticed me throughout the Mass. He told me that was the mark of a good photographer - being unseen. SUCCESS!

For the women reading, let's dive into FASHION!

A lot of new photographers wonder what kind of dress code is required at their shoots. Since we run our own business, a uniform is up to us. For family sessions, I go pretty casual. Jeans and a nice shirt will normally do. I don't usually do sleeveless or low cut items - mainly because I don't when I'm off the clock. In reality, nobody wants to see my pits when I'm raising my arms to shoot or see 'the ladies' when I'm crawling on the ground to get the shot.

Wow, that's a lot of imagery in one sentence.

With weddings, my dress code is usually the same - dark dress pants and a semi-dressy top. Whatever I do wear, I make sure that it's long so that it covers me when I'm squatting and that it's comfortable in the arms. I can't have something too tight that doesn't allow me to move. Nobody should be looking at me, so it's about comfort, not fashion. Would I ever wear jeans to a wedding? No. Not even a hoe-down. Would I ever wear shorts? Nope. I just don't think it's professional. This is purely my opinion. Even in the hot June heat, I opt for dress slacks. That, and I really don't have nice legs. They're blindingly white, and I don't want to draw attention away from the bride.

Have you ever found yourself browsing a photography blog and read or seen the term "Uncle Bob"? Or what about a wedding planning blog suggesting you ask guests to "unplug"? There's a big burst right now in digital camera sales and improvements in cell phone cameras. Everyone is taking pictures - and that's a great thing. At a wedding, it can be a bit more complicated.

You see, photographers (long before my time) coined the term "Uncle Bob" to refer to a wedding guest who does one or many of these things: brings their camera to an event and gets in the way by hovering over a photographer, directing guests to look at them instead of the hired professional, attempt to "talk shop" with the hired photographer, photo bombs images, ruins images by firing their flash at inopportune times, etc.

See the photo above? There are 5 other cameras going during formals. 5 that you can SEE. Now, when you hire me as your photographer, you hire someone flexible. As long as "Uncle Bob" doesn't prevent me from doing my job, I'm all for allowing guests to take images. Occasionally I did have to ask the guests to step back, but I'm not afraid to ask - and ask politely. I've never run into a guest who didn't oblige my request. In fact, when I've gotten the shots I need, more often than not I step aside and allow "Bob" to get his shots as well. We can all work together!

Bridal Party shots can be intimidating when you're working with large groups and a lot of personalities. More than family members at a wedding, I find bridal parties to be the most anxious to get to the cocktail hour and be done with photos. I have to move fast and I have to keep the atmosphere light.

I'm doing my best to describe what I'm looking for, and trying to be sarcastic and funny about it to get some genuine smiles outta these handsome guys.

It must have worked, because pretty soon these guys had all of us laughing!

It can be hard to keep bridal party formals fresh and new. The poses I can create depend largely on the personalities of the bridal party. For this particular wedding, I could have asked them to create a circus routine and they would have done it gladly - and spectacularly.

Finished image. These guys were amazing!

I try my best to think on my feet. A lot of photographers keep inspiration boards on Pinterest or even on their phones of poses they want to try or photos that inspire them. I do this too.

The problem?

I often completely blank at a session. Maybe not... totally blank. Out of ten poses I told myself YES I'M GOING TO DO THIS!! I remember two. I often fall into the same habits and same poses because I blank. That and I don't want to disengage with my client because I'm scanning my mental pin board. This is probably for the best. Creatively I can't rely on work someone else has done. While I can be inspired by others work, blanking helps me make my sessions and weddings my own. It's something I'm always working on and looking to improve.

Deciding... Deciding... "Okay guys, this is what we're gonna do!"

I love the formals that follow a ceremony because it's a nice bit of quiet, one-on-one time with my bride and groom. Being able to spend the first few moments with people after they've become husband and wife is a great honor. Everyone is going to want to attack these two for the rest of the reception, and I get to whisk them away and have them all to myself! There's been so much leading up to this moment and it's over in minutes. The ease and generally feeling of "we did it!" is infectious.

Behind the scenes fact: I am absolutely terrified of detailed ring shots.

I can take images of rings on the bride and groom's hands until the cows come home. But when they place their rings into my hand and let me scurry off with them... that terrifies me. You see, I'm convinced that I'm going to lose them, drop them into any number of crevasses, return them with a missing stone, or heck, maybe I'll even swallow one somehow. There is no greater relief than doing my duty and returning those rings to their rightful owners, safe and sound.

A couple weeks ago I was in the midst of some email exchanges with a potential bride, that I'm so excited to be working with in May. She sent me a series of questions to answer, one of which was "You have attended countless weddings. What is your favorite part?" I replied: I like the reception. It's not formal like the ceremony. The "hard part" for me is over - I just get to capture candids and people having fun. I love the food, the toasts - you really learn more about a couple when you hear from their friends and can feel the love in the room. Who doesn't love a good party?

It was a very honest answer. After the ceremony I can breathe a sigh of relief. The most crucial part of my coverage is over. I get to let down my guard a bit and breathe a sigh of relief with the bride and groom, as well and share in their joy. I get to spend the rest of the night capturing moments of joy and love, eat amazing food and eat some great cake. And in some cases, great cinnabuns.

Next year, I hope to invite you behind the scenes into a wider variety of sessions - families, newborns, seniors, you name it. We're only a week into 2014 and I'm already blown away by the opportunities it has brought me. I could have never imagined the girl who was paid $40 to shoot a few wedding shots after a ceremony in high school would be running the business she is today.

Who knew, right?

Behind the Scenes

With the onset of Fall, my wedding season has officially come to a close. I am still in disbelief I had a wedding season at all! I had originally begun my business as a portrait photographer with no intention of venturing into weddings again - too much pressure! However, the offers kept coming and I couldn't resist. Flattery is a girls best friend. While weddings are an imense amount of pressure and a one shot deal, I love the rush and more importantly I love behing behind the scenes. I love spending so much time with the couple on their day, watching the reception hall get decorated and staying until the very end of the night after most of the guests have left.

It's a lot of pressure to photograph the wedding parties. By the wedding day, I've worked with the bride and groom already for engagements and gotten to know them better through various calls and emails. However, it's rare I know the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Getting them to open up for the formals can be tough and intimidating. It helps though when they're not shy in front of the camera. Or shy around the groom...

Photo by Chance Hammock

Planking. When we were out shooting the formals prior to the ceremony, my groom said, "Kelli! Get a picture of this!" In my old age (27 years young) I had no idea what planking was at the time. I thought to myself, this? Really? They told me it was some fad from England or somewhere in Europe. I took the picture at the request of the client and it was months later I found out what planking really was. Heck, they even devoted the opening of an Office episode this season to the fad.

Photo by Chance Hammock

 

Photo by Chance Hammock

The Mothershead wedding party giving me some GQ sexy

I had one wedding where the groomsmen were coming up with all the ideas, one after another, and all I had to do was shoot.  Some parties need a little more help or have groomsmen that are a little camera shy. I do my best to give them direction and make it light hearted. The goal of a photographer is to engage the subject and make them comfortable. For some reason my go-to saying is "like you're modeling for the GQ cover" or something similar, maybe a "Ralph Lauren ad". I don't know if I have ever even read GQ...

There is one particular position I like my groomsmen to stand in - "protect the junk", which is essentially just the hands clasped in front. I don't know any better way to describe it and it always gets a good laugh and gets the men to let down their guard. At Kristen and Johnny's wedding I used this technique and throughout the reception the groomsmen would say, "Protect the junk!" every time they passed.

I've always found that the groomsmen are more willing to be silly and perhaps that helps the groom release any jitters he may have prior to the ceremony. I know that Paul, from Tyler and Cassie's wedding certainly made us laugh with his help. He was able to give Tyler a lot of pointers on how to take a good picture. Case in point:

My brides have all been exceptional. They're all naturals. Really, with a beautiful bride in her dress all they need to do is smile to take a great picture. Still, that's a lot of dress. I find myself doing double duty a lot - fluffing the dress, fixing the hair, re-pinning a veil. It's not everyday I get a lovely assistant but I was so happy to have Courtney to help me with Jessie's bridals. She pitched in lots of ideas, grabbed items when we needed them and helped keep the animals occupied and out of the shot when they weren't needed. Oh, and tons of comic relief - she provided me with lots of natural laughs and smiles in the Johnson's photographs!

I really enjoy the time that I get so spend one on one with my bride and groom on the wedding day. It's so amazing to see a couple on the ultimate romantic day. It's interesting to see the dynamic between a couple and why they fit together so perfectly. 

Photo by Chance Hammock

Photo by Chance Hammock

Occasionally there will be a few interruptions during our session of bridals before/after the ceremony. Last minute reception arrangements, bathroom breaks, hair/makeup adjustments. Prior to the ceremony however it's not out of the ordinary to run into guests who get a sneak peak at the couple before everyone else. At John and Lise's wedding there were 2 different ways to get to the reception hall and some guests happen to pop in while we were shooting on the road. One such guest was Lise's maid of honor and our childhood friend Liese.

She couldn't resist stopping and saying hello! I love seeing friends see the bride and groom for the first time to congratulate them. Oh - and did you notice Liese's license plate? She's a radiologist tech if that helps. 

Photo by Chance Hammock

The shot being taken above

 The day after a wedding, I am sore. When I get home late at night after the reception is over I pop some Aleve immediately. All that standing, crouching and running around can really add up to a good workout! For the first 3 weddings of the season I wore the only dressy black shoes I had that weren't heels. They were cute and went with my ensemble for each wedding. They also gave me both blisters and bruises on the sides of my feet by the end of each wedding. Is it weird I was proud of them...? They were like badges of honor for a job well done! I finally invested in a pair of "work shoes" that were comfortable, stretchy and still fashionable with my uniform.

I am always grateful to the DJs, staff, reception hall managers and even the bridal party for taking care of me during a wedding. From making sure I get a meal and even a few minutes to sit down. It was especially great to have Chance at multiple weddings where I could have a backup and assistant to help during busy times. Better yet - someone to eat with in a corner during a quick break! It is great to work with such a great friend. Not every wedding requires a 2nd shooter, but I'm beginning to think all my weddings require a Chance.

As pivotal as my job is during the day, it really is important for me to blend in and not get in the way. I try to dress comfortably and appropriate for a formal occasion, but I stay businesslike and try not to draw attention with bright colors. I avoid going into the isle as much as possible during a ceremony but when I do, I crouch and tip toe as best I can - hence the Aleve at the end of the day.

Before each ceremony begins, I always talk to the Reverend or officiant over the whole shebang. I've been told some officiants have strict rules about what you can and cannot do or some locations require you not shoot in certain areas, or even at all. That's what I've been told - so far, each officiant has said "Get as many pictures as you can!" I've later asked guests if they considered me a nuisance or distracting from the bride and groom and so far, so good. Blending is the goal.

Photo by Chance Hammock

It was a great wedding season. I learned so much from my couples and each wedding I shot. I loved the rush and feeling I had coming home late at night after a full day of work. Working on weddings also helps me to appreciate my own marriage, which is going 6 years strong. Something about being surrounded by all that love and mushy stuff, and especially by friends and family who love and are so excited for the bride and groom... it just puts you in a good mood.

I'm so grateful to all of the couples and families I worked with this year. Grateful they trusted me to get the job done and to give this rookie wedding photographer a shot. Photographing weddings has made me a better portrait photographer in all aspects of my work. I have loved working with my friends and being a part of their special days. I hope that when they look back on their photos from their wedding day that they not only cherish the memories of what a fantastic day it was, but that they remember their little photographer too.

Here's to next season!