Why I REALLY Love Weddings (from a Photographer's POV)
When it comes to weddings, it’s not just the money for me. Every wedding client that I’ve ever had, has taught me and every attendee of their wedding a great lesson to take with them.
As a passionate photographer, people often seem to be very curious and want to know, “If you could photograph anything at all, what would it be?” To that intriguing question, my answer has consistently remained the same over time – because it feels so straightforward and obvious to me, “Weddings. All day, every day (or at least, a lot of days)!”
Wedding Reception at Alexandria’s in Findlay, OH
The Thrill and Pressure of Wedding Photography
Photographers may wonder, “Isn’t the pressure overwhelming?” Of course it is! As a wedding photographer, I capture special moments and emotions in real time, and that’s what makes it exciting. It’s like handling a big project at work—there's a risk of failure, but doing well can lead to great opportunities. While that thrill is part of the job, my true love for wedding photography comes from a more personal place.
Stoker Wedding in Oregon, OH
Weddings Through a Personal Lens
I often find myself joking with my best friend, saying, “I’m a child of divorce!” whenever I need a lighthearted excuse for a bad choice I made or when I’m seeking a little grace in the face of judgment. Even though I’m well aware that this isn’t a valid excuse for everything that happens in my life, it surprisingly ties into one of the reasons why I absolutely adore photographing weddings (ironically). To me, weddings serve as a beautiful and symbolic representation of not just what your marriage is going to look like, but also of the people you want to have involved in this special journey. I’ve had the privilege of photographing weddings where couples have spent thousands on lavish venues, exquisite caterers, beautiful chairs, and more, but I have also thoroughly enjoyed capturing the heartfelt moments at intimate backyard weddings. Each experience is unique, and I love both styles equally!
My First Wedding: A Lesson in Humility
The first wedding that I ever photographed, I was completely unprepared for it, but I accepted it because I needed the money. I charged the couple $450 to drive 2 hrs and photograph just the ceremony (something I DON’T recommend as a good business practice, charge for mileage), gave them a Dropbox of all the Hi-res images, and didn’t offer any ways to print their images with me. So needless to say, this was not a wedding that I profited from monetarily, but the lasting impact that it left on me was priceless.
The wedding was very small, with only about 15 people. My then-girlfriend helped me as a second shooter, which I later regretted because the space was so tight that we kept getting in each other's way.
The Foot-Washing Ritual: A Strong Symbol
To this day, I’m still not exactly sure what the specific religion was of this couple, but one thing that truly stood out to me during that time was a unique foot-bathing ritual they practiced. At the moment, I found myself feeling more disgusted by the fact that I had to look at these people's dogs for what felt like an extended period of time. My girlfriend and I were both retching in response, as we found the idea of other people's feet to be particularly revolting (though I must admit, she was more disgusted than I was).
Now though, I completely understand and appreciate the deeper purpose of the ritual. It serves to remind both the couple and the audience that in a loving relationship, each partner is truly meant to be of service to one another. Oftentimes, we think of the delicate balance of a relationship as being 50/50, but the reality is that it’s not typically that straightforward. There are moments when partners may find themselves in different positions emotionally or physically. However, just like during this intimate foot-bathing ritual, whether you’re the one receiving the soothing bath or the one lovingly giving it, you are neither above nor below your partner in status or importance. Because in the grand, beautiful scheme of things - you are equals; beautifully balanced and united in your journey together.
A photo from the first wedding, capturing the footbathing ritual - which meant I had to touch the shoes with my bare hands.
Why Weddings Remind Me of the Bigger Picture
I’m no relationship guru; I’m a portrait & event photographer. One that loves his job because I get to learn something with every client that I interact with.
I really love weddings because they remind me not just of what I wanted when I was little for my parents, but of some things that I put on the back burner for whatever reason within my personal relationships. Whether it’s: communicating with your partner when shit hits the fan 20 minutes before the ceremony and you need a light joke, forgiving some of the trauma enough to share a father-daughter dance, or just washing your partner’s feet in front of God & country all of these acts are so important to me - even as just a witness/ active participant of your wedding.