Behind the Scenes of the 2019 Wedding + Portrait Season!
Here it is friends, the most popular blog post of the entire year — and for good reason, this here holds all the TRUTH behind wedding days and portrait sessions… the good, the bad, the downright hilarious, and everything else in between. 2019 had so many moments that in the moment, I was mentally like OH YEAH, that’s going in the post. Compiling all of this was quite the task, but it is ultimately so worth it. I LOVE looking back at these posts because there truly is sooo much that goes on behind the scenes! I hope you enjoy this post!!
Starting things off with, as always, the shot I end up with multiple times per year…..the accidental one.
Early into 2019, me and this sweet gal here got together to do a little behind-the-scenes photo exchange since she herself got into Brand Photography recently! Becca Blake is a sweet and very talented lady!
For my portion, I needed models…a couple, and to my rescue came one of my favorite couples ever!! Callie and Brandon!
First wedding of the year involved my favorite videographer Luke and a very special moment where I scraped lipstick off my bride Samantha’s teeth… I DO WHAT I GOTTA DO.
Also on that first wedding of the year we had a little….bridesmaid accidentally drops dress in toilet situation.
Luke again…. always good at creeping, light testing, and dancing up a storm
Behind the scenes of engagement sessions and selfies with my sweet couples! WHICH BTW I swore up and down I’d remember to do with all my couples in 2019 and yeah I bet you all know how that worked out. Oy.
What I actually do on wedding days
What grooms (Kyle, at least) do when it’s time for photos of just the girls —
What grooms (Kyle, again, at least) do when it’s time for photos of them with their guys —
Snack breaks…. absolutely crucial for photos on your wedding day
Kyle again, and this time, I have no idea how to caption his behavior
How ‘bout another one of my classic accidental shots!?
Don’t be embarrassed lady, if I didn’t have a camera in my hands, I’d most definitely have multiple cupcakes instead! #respect
On the left, me and Rocky….aka: the best selfie with a client in the history of ever.
On the right…Rocky being supportive and encouraging as I shoot one of the greatest shoots of my life!
I REPEAT: ONE OF THE GREATEST SHOOTS OF MY LIFE
Do ya think Amber knew I was taking a selfie in the mirror??
How many does it take to open up a travel sewing kit? Six. The answer is six, I tried (and failed) too.
Grandparents eager to see the new wedding rings, so so cute! This is definitely a behind-the-scenes shot, but admittedly, these types of shots are my absolute favorite, and I LOVE this photo!
Jana….bridesmaid and veil-floofer extraordinaire
I’d like to think I won doggy Leo over…. but these photos prove otherwise…
The best kind of competition!
Caleb — “How far can I lean in before she sees me…”
One of my favorite people doing the thing that scares all of us wedding pros the most!
Every wedding season consists of hanging out with other awesome wedding pros! Sometimes it’s for coffee dates, sometimes it’s for wedding days! From left to right below —
Me and the wonderful Angela of Fabulous Frocks KC — to her for your wedding dress!!
Myself and the sweet Staci of Staci Ann Moore Photography — if not me, hire her!!!
The lovely Charlotte and myself on a wedding day at Loose Mansion, where she rocks that coordinator job of hers!!
Lastly, the always fun Nancy of Easton Studios! Go to her for all that gorgeous dramatic lighting!
When engagement sessions go off the rails…..
Kelsie on her wedding day….cursing the pouring rain (don’t worry, her day was still gorgeous!)
When the groom gets a hold of my camera… (top 10 favorite behind-the-scenes shot of all time lol)
Waiting for his turn in front of the camera like
Groomsmen photos be like
Sometimes on wedding days, I have a car full!
Another bridesmaid, another veil-floofer extraordinaire
TRUST FALL — the very best way to test that newly married status
Left pic: table for one, my usual on wedding days
Right pic: when my sweeeetttt bride Kelsie came to join me!! :)
Dang BOI.
The best kind of wedding reception dancing
When photographers get together for headshot swaps!!
Told ya this is all I do on wedding days! This time complete with all 3 wedding rings on my fingah like a true boss
Downing that homemade mooonnnshineeee like a real bride babe!
The family who takes “family formals” to this level is myyy kinda family
This guy though
This guy too…. there’s always one. Or several.
Brotherly love at its finest
Guess what the temperature was on this wedding day
How to be a confident wedding dancer — test your dance moves out in a window reflection first
Revisiting that brotherly love yet again
Spying on the dad and brother ensuring their ceremony is gonna be top notch
Sister of the groom, making it down the aisle the only way she can
Honestly lost track of how many venue open house/bridal shows I did last year, but! here’s my booth (and me in action) at at least a few of ‘em!
Surviving that sunny sweaty ceremony (while I secretly hoped they’d pity me and let me have some fan action) — it didn’t work
Most helpful! YOU get a gold star!
Yayyyy for when I’m in a pic with my sweet couples! ADORE THESE TWO SO VERY MUCH!
HOTTEST.WEDDING.OF.MY.CAREER…….ya can’t tell in pic one, but in pic two, pretty sure my red face might be a clue. Woof. #WORTHIT
Some of the people I spend wedding days with making wordless facial expressions at from across the room — team work makes the dream work y’all. Owners of Wildcliff Weddings & Events and one of their helpers!
Me — “Hey guys hold up, lemme grab a quick random photo so I can later showcase how danngggg good we made a small patch of flowers by a parking lot look!!”
Rob — **thumbs up**
SEE SECOND PIC FOR THAT MAGIC YO.
We interrupt this regularly scheduled set of bridal party photos for one groomsmen in particular who really needed to show off his dance moves for the camera
Goodness I love a fun group of bridal party peeps and this group DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
Hey in their defense, no one told them that these were just for the kiddos!
When you’re mind blown at your new husbands ability to cram an entire donut in his mouth, (it was impressive fosho)
Teamwork strikes again!
If only pictures had sound effects
“Oh Zak you and dem little cheeeeekies!!” — undoubtedly what was being said
Hanging out in an apple orchard — things happen.
Random little hangout with some vendor friends!
When someone who was supposed to join us suddenly did not……. RACHAEL if you’re looking at this, it was you. Duh.
When the makeup doesn’t taste as good as you thought it might
When a bug flies right into the ear of the groom during his shining moment
I can’t plan this stuff y’all
Desi’s face perfectly demonstrates how I feel about giving FIRE to people who have been drinking for hours. It’s fine, I’m fine, we’re all fine.
Best to just join in — wise move on the part of Michael’s Mom.
Two thumbs-up to the onlookers of their first look — Michael most definitely approved!!
I can’t even lol
Michael - “We done with pics for a minute?”
Me - “Yeah you betcha”
Michael - “THANK GOODNESS” — **scoops up his new bride to whisk her off to an undisclosed location**
A few hours later… Michael picking up the best friend, not to whisk him away, but to spin him around on that dance floor
End of night iPhone shot with one of the best couples ever!
Abby’s sweet Dad patiently waiting to see his daughter on her wedding day and me ruining such a moment by forgetting that glass doors are REFLECTIVE.
**flashes peace sign**
More bridal party good times!
Me and the lovely Tara on a wedding day at The Journey Home!
Give ‘em a push in the swing then BAIL OUT — perfect execution.
“Hey it’s really really hot and I have this handy fan”
Bride: “Oh good, let me put it where it’ll really count” — real life y’all, real wedding
The best kind of family members are the ones that photobomb your wedding photos
Me and the sweet Lacey Rene of Lacey Rene Studios tag-teaming a September wedding together, and having BLAST as always!
Sometimes no one is around and the bracelets just won’t clasp and I morph into more than a photographer
The art of walking backwards, side by side to another shooter, taking photos the whole way, and nottt tripping — it’s a really underrated art form.
Lacey killed it with some behind the scenes on this day! Oh and those flowersssssss — all the heart eyes!
Really no caption needed here folks
Sneaky little munchkins at Kathryn and Andy’s wedding day!
Vines and shrubs — reaching out and touching ya since the beginning of time
When you’re soooo excited bout that cake that you kinda forget you’re supposed to feed it to each other…
Sometimes I get together with my couples and tour their venues and when that happens, iPhone phones are a MUST, especially when I’m randomly laughing like I just heard the best joke
When your fiance decides to just hang out during pics……. haaa oh my word I crack myself up
Or better yet!! When he decides to be a tyrannosaurus real quick
When yo’ Mama is going places, and by places I mean up your dress just like she did when you were a kid
“You’re grounded!!” — the actual words that came out of Taiylor’s Dad’s mouth upon seeing her in her wedding dress! Love stuff like this :)
Me: “What’s your name?”
Ringbearer: “I’m Breck… **wink**”
HEARTBREAKER MUCH!?
When your new husband spins you around in your wedding dress….. and that dang dress slips down.
The celebratory “You’re married, let’s do shots!!” — only one problem, the bride hates shots.
Taking that steaming job seriously
When you realize your first look moment is being watched by some curious bystanders (aka, your adoring family)
Laken’s face says it all about her feelings toward this joyride
Laken wanting to recreate a charming photo from her Mom’s wedding many moons ago — so 1980’s yall!
THIS KID THOUGH…. another top 10 favorite behind-the-scenes shot of all time lol
I too, am a dress-floofer extraordinaire, watch me go!
And SOMETIMES you’ll catch me under the veil getting real close and personal
And every so often the videographers get after that veil and I just stand back and take behind the scenes photos of such
Things that make ya go hmmm
Mother of the bride and sister of the bride — another top 10 fave behind-the-scenes of all time?? I THINK SO!!
A sandal needed removed, some assistance was required, a sip of a dranky-drank had to be had…. and they all still NAILED THIS.
The late night selfie of a photographer who finished her last double header wedding of the season — DEFINITE CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION (and selfies, obvi)
Oh hey
That kinda love though
When you can’t even make it back to your seat before you gotta get into that donut — I CAN RELATE.
Speaking of donuts, Eppie here was on donut table duty and he took his job extremely seriously, clacking those tongs together at any who tried to get a donut before it was time (and losing his mind in the process)
This face Eppie undoubtedly made every time someone begged for a donut
Up until this very moment, I had only talked to my girl/bride Annie via email and one video call — meeting her at this event was FABULOUS indeed! Love her!!
A few push-ups before the big reveal…. bride Allyson y’all, a true badass bride!!
When the joke goes too far…
Pint sized competition!
Older brother vs younger brother photos…
Blake trying to be helpful by carrying his brides’ veil… and nearly yanking it out instead :)
Random backseat of a van on a wedding day
Guest to father of the bride — “You have a little problem”
… “Lemme fix that for ya”
Remember the kid who didn’t want a pic with his Aunt, aka the bride? Yeah he also didn’t wanna boogie his problems away
When you accidentally break the garter
Father of the bride taking his new son-in-law for a spin on the dance floor — totally an introductory rite of passage
PRIORITIES ON YOUR WEDDING DAY ARE CUPCAKES ABOVE ALL ELSE
Wandering through a park in Kansas during a shoot and BOOM… ran into a fellow photographer and friend that I LOVE TO PIECES — the one and only, Abby Noelle!
Me to Stefanie - “Run your hand through hair a bit!”
Cory -
Three more examples of ways Cory made this engagement session even more fun — poor poor unsuspecting Stefanie
A fun iPhone behind-the-scenes shot of me shooting this epic confetti celebration at Molly & Ryan’s wedding — and thennnn…
My shots from that epic moment!!
Speaking of Molly and Ryan.. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH
When that one groomsmen is ready to get the party started
Observe Molly’s face when her sweet sister and matron of honor Morgan slipped off the edge of that concrete (don’t worry folks, she didn’t go all the way down!)
I always say it, I always will, and I’ll always mean it — there is always that ONE groomsman
More to my point :)
Veils have a mind of their own and give zero craps if it’s in the middle of your ceremony or not!
That JUST MARRIED feeling!!
First pic, Ryan - “Mmmm chicken and waffle..nommm”
Second pic, Ryan - “Heyyyyy that was minnnneeeee” // Molly - “Mmmm chicken and waffle..nommm”
Me, not pictured - “Heyyyyy I like chicken and waffles toooooo”
The following caption I can’t claim as my own because my bride Molly couldn’t have said it better — group dance floor pic, and her sweet Dad, the moment he realized there’s another man in her life.
**close up for the full affect**
Me and Pam, my first coaching session client!! (and my Carmex…very important)
Kayla less than impressed with Joey’s antics
Joey exposing the truth behind engagement sessions and Kayla about to learn that truth
Paden’s wedding day -
First pic - “A-O, that’s just a folded up hotel napkin!”
Second pic - “Look what I can do!”
That moment a group of groomsmen had this epic idea and suddenly a wedding day felt like a Broadway production!
When there’s a spider AS BIG AS TEXAS
Sometimes y’all, the groom himself is the veil floofer!!
Speaking of veils, yet again, they have a mind of their own
Everyone thought a quiet little apple orchard was a safe place…
Competing with me with a disposable camera,… girl is ballsy, I like her.
Photographers at Halloween be like
When a group photo suddenly turns into a dance party
Little behind the scenes at Korie and Zack’s big day!
I definitely didn’t hang that dress up there — followed by I’m too short to even shoot these dang shoes so lemme use live mode. #shortphotographerproblems
Passerby’s y’all, they don’t care at all that you’re about to see each other on your wedding day and share in a special moment — face palm.
Creeping in on your special moments since 2013!
There was a very determined mosquito
Toss the little one upside down to try and pump him up for pics!!
FYI it didn’t work
“I’m flying, Jack! I’m flying!!!!”
Making a group of 12 laugh at my corny jokes
AIN’T NO LAWS WHEN YOU’RE DRINKING CLAWS
Michele did a fantastic job of getting some behind the scenes of me shooting on this day!!
Veil floofing in action and in heels — so dang good!
When pic-time suddenly gets replaced by nap-time
Flower girls trying to get through required pics like
Speaking of Michele, here she is!! So dang happy that we got to FINALLY shoot a wedding together!!! :) :) :)
Another perk to shooting with Michele besides all the fun, all the great help, and all the behind the scenes shots is culling her cards and coming across a pic such as this lol
When grooms can’t help themselves and I can’t help myself from shooting the truth
Michele didn’t know there was a secret hallway to get to this spot — BASICALLY I’M A NINJA.
Thumbs-up says we will survive this IN THA TEENS temperature engagement session!!!
Bears in the wild be like
John’s face though — as Annie came in hot with those kisses
Me - “Hey I bet I could capture your breath right now!!!”
John + Annie -
YES IT WAS SERIOUSLY THIS COLD HAHA
Using hand warmers to defrost noses likeeeee
Bears before, cats now… cats in the wild be like
LEMME EXERCISE THE DEMONNNSSS!
Dang I already used the famous Titanic quote above but somehow here we are yet again (I’m obsessed with these two)
Random little dance parties WILL be photographed, you’ve been warned.
Tossing snow… OR CASTING SPELLS!!!??
Did I mention that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THESE GUYS….. PS check out our red noses. Seriously, the coldest shoot of my entire career lol
Me - “One sec guys, I just need to test my light!”
Brandon -
The hustle and bustle of a crowded hotel room full of guys trying to get ready for a wedding — and this little guy here, the only one aware of the camera
Lipstick on teeth check — I photograph it all, mwahahahahaha
We interrupt all the funnies for one of the sweetest things I’ve ever witnessed on a wedding day. Husband and wife for many moons, and still the man she can depend on.
First selfie as husband and wife!!
Dillon — the face of a man who is done with picture time
Getting your girl off the fence in 3..2..1
BEHOLD — ketchup on a dinner roll, the finest cuisine
Dance floor energy from that ketchup dinner roll
When you can’t keep it together to save your life
When your girl comes in so hot and fast she nearly knocks you off the bridge with her love
The windiest of engagement sessions be like
Seriously though — the wind was like IMMA KNOCK Y’ALL BOTH DOWN, DOWNTOWN.
Sometimes we gotta hit pause for a passerby
When there’s a tree limb in tha way, you simply remove it — I like how Jillian looks terrified haha
Drew, showing off some unexpected skills
Rounding out this 2019 behind-the-scenes post with something I think is SO NEAT. In the month of October just a few weeks part, I shot the weddings of two best friends daughters! And so at both weddings, the parents of the other bride were guests, and pics with them had to happen!
You guys, this job means the world to me, and befriending my couples is one thing, but befriending their parents and families is a whole other ballgame, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! 2019 was full of so much goodness, and all the moments it contains could never be fully summed up, but all the moments here are a small glimpse!
Here’s to 2020 and more behind the scenes moments to come!!!!
