Originally posted on July 23, 2023

A year ago, I had just shot the biggest event I had ever done. The mad panic to sort through and edit 1500 photos began. Today, I look back on that July.

In 2019, my friend told me that she had just gotten engaged and wanted me to be her wedding photographer. I was floored. She had posed several times for me already but to do her wedding? That was crazy! What do I know about wedding photography? I agreed to do an engagement shoot but that I’d get back to her about the big day.

At this point, it’s perhaps important to explain my hesitation. First, wedding photography is a big deal. A massive deal. A 1.21 gigawatt level deal! Event photography of any kind is tricky since you are always on the move and you must be always ready to take a shot regardless of the changes in light or location. Generally speaking, you have to be as in the moment as your subjects are because you can’t simply “recreate” that amazing moment. Weddings kick that into high gear. There’s no asking the officiant to stand in a certain spot or telling a child to move out of the way. And you definitely can’t ask the bride to give back the ring so you can go back and get the perfect shot. If you shoot an entire wedding and forget to periodically check your work because you’re too nervous, you are screwed, to put it mildly.

Secondly, it’s a crazy long day. Yes, it’s long for everyone but theoretically at least, by the time the wedding starts, there’s nothing more for the couple and their families to do. They’re only job at that point is to enjoy the fruits of their labor. But for the photographer, it’s hours of careful thought. Each shot needs to be calculated. “Where should I be? What setting do I use for this location? Oooo, the bride and groom are doing something adorable! I must get this unscripted shot! Darn, too late!” Needless to say that fatigue sets in very quickly which brings me back to the event in question.

Several years ago, I began suffering from joint pain, muscle stiffness, and excessive fatigue. I could barely make it through an 8 hour shift in the store I was working in at the time. Frustrated, I spoke to my doctor and in due course, I was eventually diagnosed with lupus. Thankfully, it’s still early for me and I’m on treatment but that can only slow down the disease not eliminate it. That diagnosis combined with worsening migraines really changed my life. No longer able to work a “regular” job, I struggled to figure out what to do next. This business is part of that. A way to earn money doing something I already know how to do. I love it but I now have new challenges to overcome since photography requires at least some physicality and endurance; two things I no longer have.

And that brings me back to the wedding. No, I never intended on ever doing wedding photography but for a good friend, it seemed like a great opportunity to do one and push my photography skills to the limits. But could I count on myself? Could I count on my body to not betray me at an important moment?

I won’t lie, it was a tough day. Battling 35C temperatures as well as physically running around to capture as many moments as I could was exhausting but I survived. At this point, I should say how grateful I am to have had help in the form of a second photographer for the ceremony so a special thanks goes out to Colin Chatfield.

It took me several days to recover from that day but it was worth it. The biggest gig of my career as a photographer was done and I was happy. I can’t imagine doing that again but a smaller wedding would certainly be possible. Especially now that I know what I’m doing!

Next up was to go through all the photos and begin editing. Alas, that’s a whole other post!

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