Ellen & Tom ... I'm so glad photographers are 'unique/special' & I was invited to shoot.

Ellen & Tom ... I'm so glad photographers are 'unique/special' & I was invited to shoot

No way in the world would I have missed someone who I consider one of my brothers wedding. It was funny how this shoot took place and how I was feeling understanding they wanted me to shoot it but was more important for them to have me enjoy the day and not work the day. To be honest I was crushed but totally understood this was going to be a family/friends party and I wanted to enjoy this too... what I figured out was I enjoy documenting lives much more than taking part in the party. Its sort of my private party, being able to capture the milestone.

So when the planning started they called me for a heart to heart about their photographer shopping experience.. I coached them... they went back out, came back for coaching, went back out and came back disappointed.... With what I find a lot of couples tell me.... money is not the issue its what I term attitude or photographer self importance.... So when they broke down and asked I was delighted. I was so happy because really it would have been painful to take a seat this day... it was so painful so I was secretly delighted the shopping experience went south and I was hired to be the photographer pending location approval.... this was a new issue but we worked it out. I think I even told them at this point how happy it made me... I could finally come clean it was really funny... because I knew who ever the photographer was going to be that day would have hated me.. Sure I would have respected them but knowing a couple and being a photographer its hard to not know the couples next move and grab the shot... but me when I shoot weddings I embrace this type of shooting and often ask if the "family photographer" got the shot they needed... yes kills print sales but its about the couple remembering the day and I really don't care about print sales (gasp, gasp, gasp).

This day was so exciting for me. I mentioned 'brother' and yes Tom is not my blood brother but knowing him for more than twenty years and events that take place can make you close like family. So I claim two extra brothers in my life and Tom is one. Just knowing he found someone to share his life with and to see his beautiful wife and family then to capture this day was exciting. I flew in and was running on four hours of sleep out of thirty six hours. When I arrived I hit the coffee hard, recharged my batteries, cleared cards, repacked, showered and was ready for this amazing event. Many thanks to Ellen she is just so cool. We had a blast because she is so chill and let me do my thing and even allowed me to shoot a few photos of her in a bathroom YES she just welcome me as a photographer and family member. She had no problems of me crashing their first private meal together. I stayed for a little bit but basically if she thought I wanted a bite to eat she would have shared her plate... this is just how chill she is.. So it makes me so happy to know my brother found someone like Ellen to share his life with.

So if anyone asks me if I shoot weddings YES I sure do they are fashionable and full of emotion you just can't fake.... I just keep them private and I shoot mostly referral because you need to be as chill as Ellen and Tom. Meaning just ready to enjoy your day and not flinch when I say I need you for some private photos at the end of the night or hey could you in your million dollar gown stand on that bathtub. Also to the forty five "Greeks" in one shot You Guys Rocked it out, just thinking about this roundup makes me laugh!

So.......Ellen and Tom your wedding photographer shopping experience was 'unique/special' but I'm so glad it was because it means the world to me that you asked me to document your beautiful day. Love you both!