I had to take a break just now from editing the photos from Tony and Meagan's wedding. Having just gotten through most of the "getting ready" shots and the formal/posed shots, I stopped near the beginning of the "pre-wedding" shots. Those are the shots where the bride, groom, wedding party and immediate family are all a mix of relaxed and a bit anxious as they are all ready to go and just waiting to start the walk down the aisle.
Over the past month in particular, one thought has stuck with me. And that thought is this: I love not only capturing memories, but am also touched and honored to be "on the inside" of things. Can it be stressful to be sure I get all the shots I feel I'm expected to get? Sure, a bit. But honestly, I find that I'm so caught up in the fact that I'm involved in some of peoples' most precious moments that I rarely actually feel stressed.
I think the way I feel about photographing people is something that really adds to the quality (and quantity, for that matter :P) of the moments I catch. Constantly, I'm thinking about how much what is on the other side of the lens could mean to people. Some of the photos will wind up in albums; others on walls and mantles; still others on thank you cards, invitations, and save the dates; one might be someone's Facebook profile photo or the shot they use for their 'record' album cover.
But not only did I get to shoot and see so much, I get to be a part of so much. I get to talk and laugh with the stars of the day, their "supporting cast" and everyone else special to them.
And now, going through the photos from my latest gig, I keep finding myself smiling or laughing.
I'm sure all of this sounds sappy, but I so very much enjoy getting to hand over a little bit of a time machine where people can relive some of their happiest days. :)
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