We were in a small room upstairs at Common Grounds, sitting on opposing well-worn couches. I took small-ish gulps from the dull black mug while Sara and Chris brought me up to speed on how the wedding planning had been going since we’d first met in late summer. I tried to play it cool, but I was plenty nervous inside.
You see, their wedding is July 20, 2013. With almost 2 years to plan, they have plenty of options—including photographers. Chris and Sara are EXACTLY my kind of couple. Warm. Relaxed. Real. Funny. Smart. I reeeeaally wanted to work with them, and I hoped that feeling was mutual.
When I asked if they’d booked any vendors yet, they paused, looked at each other, then looked back at me with serious expressions. And for a second, I thought the worst—In my mind’s eye, I pictured them telling me they’d chosen another photographer. I thought we’d really hit it off when we’d met at the studio. We’d stayed in touch since then. Sara would email me with questions about venues and vendors, and I’d try my best to be helpful. Looking back to that moment, I don’t know why they would have invited me out for coffee to tell me bad news, but they’re incredibly sweet people. It would be like them to want to break it to me gently. I know it’s crazy, but those were the thoughts running through my head during that long pause.
To my relief, Chris’ smile broke through first, followed by Sara’s, and it was then they asked me to be their wedding photographer. A proposal! Whew.
With a decade of experience and a fairly well-established brand, you might assume that I’m past the point of being insecure. I might seem 100% confident, but inside, I’m still that little boy taking a drawing up to his teacher’s desk, looking for a smile and approval. There’s always that voice inside saying Like me! Like me!
And I suspect that we’re all that way a bit.
To Sara and Chris—YES. 100 times YES. I appreciate your trust in me. For liking my work. You’re amazing people, and I can’t wait to spend more time with you.
Thank you to Kimberly and Adrian at Hunter Valley Farm for letting us come out on a cold, Saturday morning. Quite a spread you’d got there!
Way to rock the boots, Sara!
If you’ve been following my work for long, you know how much I loath jumping pictures at weddings. Sara and Chris feel exactly the same way. Which is why we chose to spoof the jump. To show that it’s not that we can’t. Bwahahaha!
Love this.
Timeless.
I almost always do sessions closer to dusk, but this one was mid-morning. The lighting is waaaay different. Felt good to change things up.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by! If you feel so inclined, I’d love for you to connect with me. Take care!
December 7th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
The last picture reminds me of our e-session…Nate got nipped on the shoulder by a horse!