My first time.

Yes, I did it.

I sure did.

Was I ready? Was it time?  Was I developed?  Prepared? Informed? Protected?

no.no.no.no.no.and no.

but was it the most amazing experience ever!

yes!!

Details to follow!

Ok.  I shot my first wedding.  C.R.A.Z.Y.

I swore I'd never ever shoot a wedding, I promised myself to leave that alone.  But, an amazing opportunity opened up and I took it.  The couple was also my first non friend/family session as well, brought together by a craigslist posting!  This was a few months ago and since then, we've talked on facebook, the brides mother and I have spoken on facebook, the bride even babysat my children for me one day!  haha

I was super nervous, I mean this a day with no do overs.  If I were to totally mess up, if I was to accidentally reformat the memory card, drop my camera, use the wrong settings, or any other of a million things that can go wrong and usually do, happen, I can't say oh boy, I tanked, lets schedule a re-shoot.  No, this day happens once, the many firsts, they happen once.  

So I spent weeks reading, preparing, I went to the church several times, to take test shots at the time of the wedding, I studied my images and thought what I could do to make them better.  Prepared, right?

OMG! NO!  The day came and pfffffffffftttttttttttttt throw all that out of the window!  First I've only been to two weddings my entire life and I was IN both of them.  Everyone was crazy.  Everything was all over!  Busy Busy Busy.  I had MY lists of shots to get, I had MY plan.  Trash.  It was trash.

Lesson 1:

PART A 

Have the BRIDE and GROOM give YOU a list of wanted shots, go over those shots with both of them, so on wedding day, you can say, yes, I know you are about to have a nervous breakdown but you wanted this shot, so lets take 2 minutes and get it.

PART B

Have the MOTHERS of the BRIDE and GROOM also give you a list, share this list with the bride and groom, so when bride is wanting to slap mom from stress on day of wedding (we love you moms, and now that I'm a mom, I do it too!  lol)  you can calmly say, yes, but this shot was important to your mother and you before the stress of the day, take 30 seconds, relax and lets get this shot!

PART C

Hunt those GROOMSMEN down.  Bribe them with something.  Men and Cameras, why is it so scary?  I think I need one of these to get their attention or something!  They are faster to scramble then my toddler clients!  haha  I need to have a pre talk with the groomsmen and tell them, "Bride and Groom really want some nice shots to remember their day, please help me get them. I'll direct you.  Just listen to me and do what I say!" hehe

There will be a Lesson 2 but for now I'm off to edit!  I'll leave you with a few photos to enjoy.