I always ask myself, "who is more stressed out, the bride or the wedding photographer?" Okay, in my case I admit it, I do get stressed out a little during weddings. I do pray A LOT and it helps A LOT, but weddings can be tough. You only have this one chance to get it right...if you don't get it right, it's not like they can re-create the scene all over for you.
However...the wonderful part of wedding photography is sitting down at my computer the next day (sometimes that night) and looking over the images. It's not that I don't dis-qualify myself as a good photographer, but I'm so thankful to God for arranging my mind, my eyes, and even my commands to my subjects. I'm often so blessed and say, "thank You Lord, thank You for all your help." I truly believe this gift of photography is from Him.
I truly love wedding photography. It's like sharing someone's really special day with them except that I get to go deeper and just like a reporting photo journalist (this was, by the way, my first degree in college before switching to public relations) whose primarily obligation is to not only get the facts but document them.
Even the shyest of brides seem to get use to my photo intrusions after a while. I guess they figure they just better get use to me...and they do, in the most beautiful way. Of all the brides I've had the honor to photograph they've all had a beauty that warmed my lenses and poured beautiful images out of my printer.
Then there's the groom and his team of guys who demand special tactics on behalf of the photographer. Guys just seem to freeze up when a camera's around. I've found that after many moments of cajoling and comical questions always brings doable album shots.
One thing I've noticed lately is that when anyone at a wedding I'm shooting has a question, who do they shoot (pun intended) for answers? You guessed it, the lady who sticks out with her Gary Fong Lightsphere (flash diffuser) and honkin' big camera...yes, that would be me.
...better get back to the computer, wedding post work. More next time.
