my thoughts on wedding photography
Ever since photographing this wedding, I’ve found myself jotting down little reflections about the day. My kids would probably say, “Mom, stop being such a perfectionist!”—but the truth is, it was a truly special experience. Revisiting the gallery has given me time to reflect on the small moments, the meaningful details, and the emotions that made it all unforgettable. What I love most about the way I shoot is that I aim to tell a story—one that feels personal, authentic, and lasting. So here are my thoughts.......
From the very first moment I met this couple, I got the sense that photography wasn’t a major priority in their wedding budget—and that was okay. I didn’t take it personally. I think it’s a generational thing. They’ve grown up with iPhones, Polaroids, and the habit of documenting life through casual, everyday snapshots. To them, professional photography can feel unnecessary—and expensive. They specifically requested mostly candid shots and weren’t interested in posed sessions. As a result, I was given very little time to shoot. I gently tried to explain the value of slowing down for portraits, but ultimately, my job is to respect the client’s vision—and they were set on keeping things spontaneous. Thankfully, I arrived early and had time to scout the location ahead of time.
The groomsmen were getting ready at a dark, somewhat uninspiring hotel. I spent over 30 minutes driving around the area looking for a spot with good natural light, knowing the indoor setting wouldn’t work. The family had chosen this location for pictures, so my options were limited. I found two spots: one with some decent shade, though it was surrounded by parking spaces and harsh sun, and another with a blooming crepe myrtle tree and classic Floridian greenery. It had potential. But as the shoot went on, speckles of sunlight filtered through the branches, creating challenging highlights that made editing quite the task!
Control your schedule
In under an hour, I was back in the car, headed to the next location—a charming beachside BNB the girls had rented. It was adorable, a classic stilted beach house with pastel-painted neighbors lining the street like a box of crayons. Did I mention it was 96 degrees with 88% humidity? Practically unbearable. As soon as I walked in, I was led up a flight of stairs (which immediately caught my eye), all the way to the third floor, where the girls were already dressed and ready for their session.
I have to pause here because this part is important: one of my favorite elements in any wedding gallery is the bridal details. I absolutely love capturing the shoes, the earrings, the rings—and the flowers! Who doesn’t love a stunning bridal bouquet? I was told a family member who enjoys photography would be handling those shots, but when I arrived, I didn’t see anyone with a camera. I’ll admit, my heart sank a little. It was clear that no special attention was given to those details, which felt like a missed opportunity.
I was taken through the living room and onto the balcony, which had a breathtaking view—and I instantly understood why the bride chose that spot. But… there was absolutely no shade. Not even a sliver. Now, I don’t shy away from harsh light—in fact, I embrace it—but it was brutally hot, and I could only imagine how the bride was feeling in her dress. On top of that, the beautiful view came with distractions: cars, power lines, golf carts, and all the usual chaos of a beachside neighborhood. Thank goodness for AI in post-processing. There was no time to hesitate—I had to go with the flow, because we had less than 30 minutes before everyone needed to be at the beach.
Eventually, I convinced the group to move to the second-floor balcony, which was shaded and beautifully backlit—perfect for the champagne pop photos. I also had the girls pose on the stairs, which were just too cute not to use. Then we stepped outside to photograph the bride. It was nearly impossible to find shade, and because the houses were packed so tightly together, I had to work creatively with narrow spaces, walls, and limited depth of field. Unfortunately, we hadn’t scouted this location earlier because we had planned on taking pictures at the beach.
My Conclusion:
Could I have done a better job photographing the bride and groom? Honestly—yes. I wish I had spoken up when, the night before the wedding, the planner handed me a revised schedule. I should have asked for more time, or requested to arrive earlier at the BNB to scout locations and plan more thoughtfully. But hindsight is always clearer, and in the moment, I chose to prioritize flexibility and the couple’s wishes.
That said, I truly believe the gallery turned out beautifully. It tells their story—and while a few puzzle pieces might be missing, the overall picture is complete. We all had to battle the heat, including the bride and groom, and it wasn’t easy. But the results were absolutely worth it.
I just wish I’d had more time to be intentional rather than reactive. Wedding photographs aren’t just pretty pictures—they're lifelong memories. The food, the flowers, the dress—all of it fades after the day ends. But the photographs remain. I only hope more people come to see the true value of investing in those memories, and the role a photographer plays in preserving them.
