I’ve already shared wedding and engagement photo highlights from 2019. And, honestly, I loved sharing those posts! Creating them reminded me of how blessed I’ve been in 2019 thanks to some truly amazing couples who allowed me to be their wedding photographer!
Now, those “pretty recap” posts featuring 19 weddings and 16 engagement sessions from 2019 were fun to share. But, I can’t help sharing a behind-the-scenes recap of the year as well, because this is a more realistic representation of what life looked like—sweaty, flat hair and all!
I’ve always wanted to share a behind-the-scenes post at the end of the year, but to be honest, this is the first time I’ve gotten around to it.
But, thanks to an incredible team of second shooters, I have too many BTS photos from 2019 not to share!
Speaking of, I owe a HUGE thank you to all of my second shooters and editor.
Megan Kendall, Heather Corbin, Candace Anderson, Sarah Cadwell, Cat Alkire, Nate Dale, and Zach Rayburn, thank you all SO much for your help this year! I couldn’t have served VRP brides and grooms on their wedding days nearly as well without you.
And, Jaime Brown, thank you for all of your editing assistance this year. You gave me so much of my life back. I’m forever grateful for you!
Now, if you’re scrolling through this post, I hope you enjoy a recap of the behind the scenes 2019!
Wedding days always start with shooting wedding details!
I bring styling boards and simply find a spot (usually a corner) with good light to shoot all the pretty details!
The key to great photos is great light. So, for getting ready photos, I’m always always looking for windows!
9/10, Mom pretends to pin the groom’s boutonnière in photos, and then I pin it for real! And, special thanks to Heather Corbin for posing so I could check the light before Andy and Emily’s first look!
I can’t recommend first looks enough! They always require a little explaining and essentially putting the groom in “timeout” for a few minutes. But, first looks are always so emotional and can make the rest of a wedding day more laidback and fun for the bride and groom!
More first look explaining!
What an attractive look on the left. Goodness! Why am I sharing these?! But, on the right, you can see my ExpoDisc. I’m a big fan!
I’m not sure if I spend more time shooting portraits or fluffing wedding dresses!
More dress fluffing and a little adjusting. I’m convinced wedding photography is my best outlet for my OCD!
Sometimes, you can’t help sharing the back of your camera with the bride and groom!
Especially after the groomsmen do as basket toss (throw) the groom!
One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer is getting to meet and work with other wedding vendors. We loved working with White Tree Studios and Urban Allure Events this year!
My second shooters deserve mad props for their veil toss skills! Thank you, Megan and Zach!
After years of hoping he’d get on board, Zach (my husband) learned to shoot in manual and now serves as a second shooter. He’s learned super fast, and I’m so grateful!
Veil shots are my favorite!
Bridal party photos are one of my favorite parts of a wedding day! I love meeting brides’ and grooms’ closest friends.
Even if they look at me like I’m nuts when explaining poses. LOL!
Bouquet placement matters!
If something needs to change to get great photos, you change them. This door needed to be closed!
Oh, and if you didn’t know, I’m 5′ 1″, meaning I’m either always on a step stool or climbing something to get the most flattering angles!
I can’t believe I’m sharing these, but Madeline had a vision for photos, and I’m always happy to oblige my brides and grooms!
Gotta love how personable Nate of New Adventure Productions is! I was so glad to have him as a second shooter for Jose and Carolina’s wedding!
You work hard on reception decor, and your work deserves to be captured! When possible, we shoot decor before guests arrive.
At just about every wedding, I explain to the couple how to cut the cake. This isn’t something most people think about until their wedding day!
This year, I made it a goal to take a photo WITH all of my amazing VRP brides and grooms. I’m so glad I did! 2019 VRP brides and grooms, thank you for making 2019 an amazing year. I love and am thankful for each and every one of you!
A couple groomsmen really wanted to be included in this photo!
I couldn’t have asked for a better year, team, or clients. Lord, thank You for 2019!