There are days when I walk into a wedding, coffeed-up, ready to go, cameras in hand, and go to introduce myself to families, bridesmaids, all the pretties getting ready. Usually it goes a little something like this…

I walk over, knock on the door. As it opens, I get a few blank stares and the boldest bridesmaid usually says, “Who are you?”. I politely smile and say “Oh, I’m the photographer for the day,” … “Oh, cool.”  *walks away*. I usually don’t say much more until I get to go over and see my bride, who in all her nervousness of the day’s events, greets me with a quick hug.

Not to say the greeting is unpleasant, I’ve just gotten used to the fact people are a little timid when introducing a new gal into the “morning’s flow”…especially one that has a camera in your face for the majority of the time. Well, not with this wedding. Being greeted with huge smiles, open arms, squeals, hugs from her aunt is the way I’d want to start any wedding day. The families who invite me in as one of their own and are excited that I’m there. Excited because they trust I’ll capture some magic. Excited, because today I’m on their team.

Gina & Jeremy’s day was nothing short of this. The two of them, their siblings, parents, families, friends had so much love to share it was almost tangible. It’s times like this I take a step back and realize that what I get to do is extremely rare — I get to spend the day with families who are about to celebrate a giant milestone…and it’s strange to think that at 9am, I’m a complete stranger. By the time I leave, I’m a friend and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Cheers to J & G!

Shout out to Sean Thompson for lending his talented eye to this one. Some of the images above are his! Love having him along!