Last month on April 22, 2017, I was challenged (but blessed) with the opportunity of being a bridesmaid and photographer for my cousin’s wedding. You might be thinking “How can you do both? That’s impossible”. Well I thought the same thing for a while, until I read Hope Taylor’s blog post when she had the same opportunity.
Just as Hope says, you have to determine what role your bride wants you to be most importantly. My cousin asked me to be a bridesmaid first and then photographer second so of course having me as one of her bridesmaids was most important to her. Now if I’m not the main photographer, you must be wondering who’s going to take the pictures I have to be in? Well my cousin hired one of her old friends to be the main photographer – Lindsay Bess. My cousin and Lindsay used to be bunk mates when they worked at Fort Caswell together. I was a little nervous to work with another photographer that I had never met before and didn’t know how many weddings she’d done or her style of photography (which of course is important to know as a photographer).
I coincidentally met Lindsay through a local Tuesday’s Together meeting in Hickory, NC and we briefly chatted about our photography history and where we want to be in the future. It was so calming to have met the other photographer before the wedding instead of awkwardly meeting the day of and not knowing how we were going to efficiently and effectively work together. I would definitely encourage meeting your second (or main) photographer before your wedding event so your clients don’t see that awkwardness and get worried!
Bridal Portraits:
Since my cousin was letting me take pictures to help build my wedding portfolio (and I was in the process of changing from the sports to wedding industry), I was able to come down to Oak Island, NC and take her bridal portraits about a month and a half before the wedding. This session was truly awesome and the Lord delivered a beautiful day and sunset. I’m still obsessed with her portraits, and plus it helps that she’s gorgeous!
Wedding Day:
I knew I needed to be a bridesmaid first and foremost, so I broke my day out to know when it was appropriate to switch gears from being a photographer to a bridesmaid. I hopped in the chair to get my hair done first so I could get time to play with detail shots of the rings, stationery, and other wedding day details. Once it was time for Lindsay to start taking pictures of the bulk of the day, I needed to finish getting ready and switch back to bridesmaid duty.
The First Touch and Prayer
Lindsay took control for the getting ready shots and bridesmaid pictures with the bride. I was able to switch gears and assist Lindsay for the groomsmen pictures and individual shots of the bride and groom. Plus making sure the bride and groom were out of each other’s’ sight! This is key!
by Lindsay Bess Photography
by Lindsay Bess Photography
by Lindsay Bess Photography
by Lindsay Bess Photography
We were also able to slide in some time to do a headshot swap before the ceremony started!
The day truly was magical and beautiful while the dolphins sang and jumped around in the water behind the alter. God’s sign and blessing on the entire day! To see my cousin radiate such a beautiful smile and glow when looking at her groom just made my heart happy 🙂
Congratulations to you, Jamie and John!
John + Jamie Harris Wedding – 4.22.17
