Can you even believe it? I’ve just concluded shooting FIVE seasons of weddings, how incredible is that? Maybe you already knew that from this post, but today I wanted to really reflect on what a blessing these past five years have been and what I’ve learned along the way.

1. I’m not the perfect photographer for every couple

Want to know the truth? There are some wedding days that are not for me just as much as I am not for them. There are some couples who are not a good fit for me, just as much as I am not a good fit for them. But you want to know what? I finally realize that that’s okay.

I want to only create timeless work with real emotions. I don’t want to take photos just because that’s my job, I want to take photos because I am hired to savor all the memories, moments and feelings. I want a couple who is head over heels with each other and in love with the idea of having these feelings frozen in time to look over for years and years down the road.

I’m not the photographer that’s meant to be booked because I shoot weddings and they need a photographer because they know it’s on their list of things to do, and that’s okay.  I’m not the photographer who wants a full picture list with poses and screen shots of dozens of pinterest photos that they want to recreate, and that’s okay. I AM the photographer that the couple makes an investment in because they choose me to not only photograph their story, their day and the magic that exists between the two of them- but they are also investing in me as another shoulder to cry on, to laugh with, an extra bridesmaid, a third wheel and a friend. I am the photographer that is booked because they trust not only my work, but my opinions, my suggestions and my judgement when it comes to making sure that they get a ton of incredible photos they will love (even if it’s for milestones that i’m invited to share with them months or years down the road.)

2. Loving what you do is the key to keep doing what you love

There has been so many times during a reception when family and friend’s of the bride and groom come up to me to tell me how great of a job I’m doing, how they can’t wait to recommend me and how lucky I am to have a job that I love so much. Wait, what? How do they know any of this without me saying anything to them or seeing any of the photos yet?

I’ve come to learn that being talented at photography is only half the battle when it comes to running my own photography business. The other half really is selling yourself- yes, literally me just being me. It’s no secret that I love what I do and I know that that shows on wedding days, even after some long 12 hour ones. Happiness is magnetic, people want to be around people who are happy and enthusiastic. It’s important for me to carry that with me on not only wedding days and sessions, but through every one of my emails, too. I love that I get to celebrate life and love everyday for a living.

3. The weather won’t always be in your favor, but the wedding still goes on

This year I shot a wedding in August that was actually so excruciatingly hot that the ceremony was moved indoors even though the skies were blue and the sun was shining. I’ve also shot wedding days that the snow turned to rain, days that down poured all day and many days that the plans were changed last minute to accommodate with the weather. Sometimes the ceremony even runs late that we only have moments to catch the last bit of sunlight- but we make it happen, because that’s the beauty of wedding days. You can plan and plan, but once the day gets there- it is what it is. It’s just important to run with it.

And you want to know what? These days produced some of my favorite photos that I’ve ever shot.

4. Always make time for individual portraits

I bet formal photos feel like an absolute blur to a bride and groom. I know on my end it’s usually a whirlwind of people coming in and out of the frame, a ton of combinations and a whole lot of sounding like a photography cheerleader “Okay, everyone look at me! 1..2..3.. Perfect! Beautiful!” (Seriously, I actually get on my OWN nerves listening to myself all day.) Every single photo is so important though and it’s my biggest goal to make sure that I get all of the important combinations down. Outside of the group photos something that I really love to capture on wedding days is one on one portraits with family.

Think: Bride + mom, Bride + dad, Bride + siblings individually, Bride + nieces/nephews, Bride + grandma, Bride + grandpa and same for Groom’s side with whatever the family dynamic may be.

I LOVE capturing these portraits because beyond being so meaningful and beautiful now, one day those will be treasures that can be cherished come a day that these love ones may no longer be in their lives. I know first hand how special these memories are because some of the greatest gifts in my life are the few photos I hold onto of my own dad who passed away when I was sixteen.

When do you really get a chance to get a beautiful photo with each of your parents? Your sister? Your brother? Your best friend? Not only are wedding days celebrating the love that you share with one another but it is also celebrating all of the love in your life, too.

There’s always going to be a mom or sister, maybe an aunt or a grandma who will tell me “no it’s okay, I don’t like photos of myself-” but I always shrug it off and encourage them anyway. (Part 4a out of 5 things I’ve learned: It’s okay to be a little pushy if it means getting photos they’ll be thankful for later.)

5. Wedding hangovers are a thing

Seriously. There’s no drinking involved in this hangover but it sure feels like it! Weddings are long days that are generally non stop for photographers. Sure there are some moments during the day where we can sneak away, have a quick snack and drink some water (usually only in our car driving from one place to the next) but for the most part we are always on guard capturing everything that is going on around us, lugging around equipment and constantly on our feet. Not to mention you are almost non-stop smiling on average for 10 or so hours straight (okay- maybe not everyone, but for me this happens and it’s actually kind of exhausting.) Last season I would shoot a wedding, go home, upload my photos, back them all up, edit a few teasers and then go to sleep. I’d wake up in the morning miserable with a pounding headache! Totally not the way you want to spend a day off.

After talking to some other photographer friends of mine I realized I wasn’t alone in this… but I also probably was just dehydrating myself. Flash forward to this year, where I chug a TON of water when I get home even if I drink a lot throughout the day and added a pair of glasses in the mix- and at last, I’m fighting the hang overs one wedding at a time!