Things I Learned While Photographing My First Wedding

In October 2017 I did the thing photographers around the world tell you not to do. I shot a wedding as the lead photographer even though I had never shot a wedding before. I had only ever attended one other wedding before. It’s not a brag. At all. The bride is one of my very best friends in the world, we both love her photos even though a small part of me says that some of these should have been deleted or heck, not even taken. BUT the reason I’m writing this is to hopefully help someone who is in the same boat with a little bit of that super special 20/20 hindsight.

Their vows they wrote themselves done up by the amazing Chickaboo Designs

1. Have A Plan.

Pinterest is not the enemy. If this is your very first wedding you should absolutely check pinterest. Look at other photographer’s full galleries if you can find some. Make a shot list. I was confident in what I was doing because I had shot a ton of events and live performances but a wedding is different.

I shot these with the bride to be while the bride and I went to explore. I didn’t have much time to scout and had never been to Emerald Lake before. Luckily, it’s gorgeous everywhere. I just wish in hindsight I had done a little more legwork.

2. Don’t overshoot.

I have always been a terrible overshooter. How many photos of the dress hanging do you think I have? 8 billion. And how many did I need? Definitely less than that. When you overshoot, you lose some of the magic. You are no longer present and you are just clicking along at that point. You want to allow the magic to happen without interfering with the constant snap snap snap snap.

3. Relax.

I was so nervous. Way more nervous than the bride. She had all the confidence in the world. Ella wasn’t even one yet and here I was, the next province over chasing my dream. The bride has a babe the same age as mine so she definitely understood as this was my first trip away from her. (And actually still my only night away less the night Leo was born). I constantly had to remind myself that it was all going to be okay. And it was. These photos are all over their house, I still share them from time to time on my feed. I will always love them.

One of my most known photos! Probably because I share it whenever possible. #emeraldlake #kamloopsphotographer #elopement #destination #thrifted #weddingdress #sharejoy

19 Likes, 4 Comments - kamloops wedding photographer (@emweddingphotographer) on Instagram: "One of my most known photos! Probably because I share it whenever possible. #emeraldlake..."

4. Remember there is a reason they asked you to shoot their wedding.

Chances are it wasn’t totally based on budget. Chances are they are comfortable with you, they like the work you’ve done for them in the past and they know you will work hard. So take a deep breath because that’s the type of client you WANT!

5. Have Fun!!!!

Please have some fun. It’s a lot of work. But the best part of being a photographer is sharing in your clients joy! You get to be there for the most special times in their lives. I was a witness for this wedding, signed my name on the dotted line. How special is that?

6. Second shoot a wedding if you can.

Make a big effort. If you can’t do that, see if you can shadow a styled shoot. If you can’t do that… create your own styled shoot. TRUST ME. It will help you.

You will make mistakes, I definitely did. But hopefully these little tidbits will help somebody. And if not, I love reminiscing about this trip. I hope these two have a great big 10 year anniversary and invite me along for the journey. I’m so lucky to get to do what I do, to make the connections and friendships that I have now because of my job. Thanks for reading!

Take The Photos

Take the photos… and then edit them. I took these in April 2018 but I guess better late than never! These sat on my hard drive for two years because I was overwhelmed and didn’t have time to edit them. Or I thought I didn’t. This year with everything happening in the world, we don’t get to go visit our family in Nanaimo. We missed last year too because Leo was so little. It’s hard. It’s really hard. But it’s what is safest for everyone.

Going through these photos two years later, my first instinct was to pick them apart. I had just started taking photos again and all I saw was blurry, grainy, technically incorrect images. Ella peeked over my shoulder and she was SO excited. She said MAMA, LOOK IT’S BABY ELLA!! AND THAT’S MY DAD! I WAS SO SMALL. (This kid teaches me so much!) And then I saw all of these in a brand new light.

Warning - there are a lot of photos. This was a week long trip and it isn’t even all of them.

I’m so excited to go visit the island again when we can. I have a wait list of clients to book and a wait list of family to see!

Location Feature - Aviation Way

Directions via Hike Kamloops: https://hikekamloops.ca/aviation-way/

I’ve shot more along here but this is just what’s on my computer right now! I’ll add to it as I go through hard drives (and shoot more!) I love walking here with the kids, Ella loves it because of all the dogs. With the closing of one of the dog parks in Brock, this trail will be getting busier but there is so much space and so many different spots to shoot I don’t imagine it will be an issue. If there were awards for the friendliest people that walk a trail in Kamloops… this would win! Stroller friendly HOWEVER the trail down to the beach isn’t the easiest with a standard stroller, much better with a jogging stroller.

These two lovebirds photographed in September 2018! The sunset photo happened on our way out - I had turned around and the sunlight was falling perfectly on them, worth it to stick around the extra few moments. Crazy how different Aviation Way looks in September vs October!

We actually missed the sunset here, our first location was closing so we picked up and drove here - everything was running a little bit late! But I never let that stop me. I just make my own dang sunset. Larissa booked a session while I had this insanely beautiful dress from Reclamation. And she ROCKED it, as always.

EEK! How adorable!! I love how mama styled babe for these. That blue summer cover is also part of my client closet. I always try to take a photo of mom and dad during these sessions, especially when your kids are little. Because I KNOW you guys haven’t had a date night in a long time and it’s a 5 minute escape to reconnect and remember why you’re here together. That photo of them I took with Charlie on my hip! (July 2019)

See what I mean about October!!! Looks like an entirely new place. This location is 10 minutes down the path just before the beach. Lots of space for kids (and pups!) to run, fairly secluded and a very peaceful spot for photos.

So safe to say if you want green, go from May to July! It’s a very lush look, almost a Vancouver Island feel to these images. These are the same spots I’v put everyone else in, just different time of year and different lighting conditions. I edit based off of the colours you wear, the energy you have and of course the mood of the shoot. I don’t like to box myself into one category of moody or airy - I edit what works best for the set.

Quite possibly one of the coolest shoots I had the pleasure of capturing last year. I MEAN who else brings their very own unicorn to their session. This princess grew up around horses, and the photo above has mom edited out so don’t you worry! Safety is my number 1 concern!

Yes, I’m oversharing this shoot BUT it’s also the perfect example of how versatile this location is. All of these photos (and more) were taken in an hour and a half, that includes the travel time (all within walking distance and all along the trail)

Model: Emily Phillips of DejaVu Model Management Makeup: Ginger Turley Artistry

Styled by: Thrift Monster

Location Feature - Kamloops Lake View Point

I’m just going to drop address here, just plug it right into google maps and you will be set! Trans-Canada Hwy, Savona, BC V0K 2J0 They haven’t failed me yet.

Kyle was the one that first showed me this location - we took Ella and made the trek up to the top. She was 1.5 then! So it’s totally doable with kids, just be cautious. It is a VERY popular location for Kamloops Photographers because it has amazing views without an hour long hike. It’s about a 10 minute stroll up. (I’m still out of breath by the time I reach the top, but if I can do it so can you!) Please note that mini sessions bookings will only be accepted for this location if there are 2 or more bookings back to back.

This first image, Kyle took of Ella and I. I took the one of the two of them! I loved the juxtaposition of the rocky terrain and the soft sunset. (May 2018)

One of my most recognized photoshoots from this last year. Danielle of Renegade Beauty was both the subject and the makeup artist for this shoot! We wanted something bold, memorable and dramatic and boy did we get it. That evening there was a fire a few km up the road from this location so we almost didn’t go. But thank goodness we did, because it is absolutely one of my favourites to date. The dress is by Reclamation and was rented via #travellingdresscanada ! (June 2019)

Look at these cuties! This was such a fun (and windy!) family shoot. I had K take some sweeet pictures of his parents. He’s a great second shooter, I think he might put his mama and I out of work. I’m always a bit nervous shooting with other photographers but Christine is such a sweetheart, she made it easy peasy. You can find her stunning work here!! Love ya, thanks for trusting me with your photos. (October 2019)

There is just something about Reclamation dresses and this place. I love them together. These were taken the exact same day as Christine’s family photos above, but in harsh high sun. I love the challenge of shooting in any and all conditions and light! (October 2019)