On photographing a friend's wedding

Last year, I heard a rumor that one of my dearest friends got engaged. So when I got a call from her with some news, I had a feeling I knew what it was about. Even so, it did not make me any less excited, and I was honored when she asked me to be a bridesmaid. 

We talked about how happy she was and some plans for the wedding. I asked if she had a photographer, as she lives in a part of Northern California that is very rural. I wasn't sure what the market was like out there in the land of Redwoods. I mean, she built a cabin. Yeah, that's right. She's a badass...and also an incredible sweetheart.

She did have a photographer duo in mind and liked their work, but also loved mine but didn't want to pressure me into photographing her wedding. She really wanted me to be there and to be part of the day. So we talked a bit about having a friend shoot your wedding and how it depends on the couple, the photographer, and some other factors. But for the most part, I actually love to photograph a friend's wedding. I just wanted to be sure I was involved in her wedding the way she wanted me to be. So I sent along my website and information for her to share with her fiancé and think it over. 

And the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to photograph her wedding. I wanted to commemorate all the moments of the day. I wanted to provide her with photographs that I created and that she can treasure for the rest of her life. I would be happy to be a bridesmaid as well, but my true desire was to be her photographer.

It turns out we were on the same page, and she told me that she would love for me to photograph the wedding...under one condition: that she still gets to spend time with me over the wedding weekend. Sold and SOLD! I reassured her that would be no problem at all. The photographer often actually gets to be with the couple more than anyone else. From getting ready through the last dance and including portraits of just the couple, your photographer is with you (or where you want them to be) ALL. DAY. And it's an honor and a pleasure, especially with that extra connection in cases like these. 

So I'm off to California this week for one of my bests friend's weddings. And I couldn't be more excited. Stay tuned for pictures soon! 

In the meantime, here are some of my favorite pictures from previous weddings of dear friends of mine...  I think back fondly on these memories and the opportunity I had to share in their big day as both photographer and friend.