Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

April 3, 2011

I went to a wedding this weekend. I know, shocker.

But now I’m about to drop the bomb — I WENT AS A GUEST.

It. Was. A. Mazing.

My best friend and her fiance had everyone out for a snowy destination wedding in Breckenridge.

Molly and Ben were in the good (and talented) hands of my photographer friends Kat Braman and Eric Yerke. Even though I wasn’t paying too much attention to what they were doing all day long because I was pretty absorbed in what was going on, I couldn’t help but notice how they had to run around like crazy to capture everything! Finally, I understand why people at weddings always come up to me and say, “You work so hard!” And now I understand why I’m SO EXHAUSTED at the end of a wedding. After seeing Kat and Eric on constant alert, searching for every possible angle to take amazing photos, I get it. Wedding photography really is hard work, no matter how fun it is.

We (the bridesmaids) met up early Saturday morning with Molly. From there the day went by in a blur. We fussed with our hair and makeup, we hugged the bride and tried not to cry, we had to arrange the logistics of leaving the hotel to not see the groom. When we made it to the church we took family photos and then sat in a cold kitchen waiting for the ceremony to begin. Molly walked down the aisle, they exchanged rings, said “I do,” and kissed. Afterward we took more photos, then hit cocktail hour, drank champagne, toasted the bride and groom and then dance the night away.

It all sounds so simple. These goings ons are what I observe from behind a camera lens twenty something weekends a year. But, being a part of it felt more than simple. It felt important and momentous and emotional.

It’s also important to remember how awkward it feels to be in front of a camera for those who don’t like having their picture taken. I’m not a fan, I always imagine how fat I’ll look in the photo. So I think that this recent bridesmaid experience will give me more empathy for those who try to hide from my lens on a normal wedding day.

I think that there should be a law saying no one is allowed to practice wedding photography unless they attend at least one wedding per year as a guest of someone they love.

I never forget how important the photos that I take every weekend are. Mentally, I know. I’d be a horrible wedding photographer if I didn’t. But, I think I do sometimes forget how it big feels to be a part of a wedding.

Because, two people coming together and vowing to spend a lifetime together is actually pretty amazing. And so is being a part of witnessing that.

Here are the ladies + Ben. Doesn’t Molly look amazing?

Photo by Jessica: Picture taker and bridesmaid extraordinaire ETA: Duh. Her husband must’ve taken this photo because she’s in it.

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11 Comments

You look GORGEOUS. and the bride’s maids dresses are a fabulous colour.

I am always worried I am going to look like I have 72 chins in photos (because I have like no jaw line). It’s my biggest photography fear!

Comment by Deidre — April 3, 2011 @ 10:55 pm

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Deidre, I worry about having three chins in photos because I actually do have three chins. So consider yourself lucky

Comment by kyle — April 3, 2011 @ 11:03 pm

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Yes, Molly looks gorgeous. Love the bridesmaid dresses and especially love the pockets in them. More bridesmaid dresses should have pockets.

Comment by Rita — April 4, 2011 @ 4:09 am

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Beautiful! I love the bridesmaid dresses with pockets. You look gorgeous Kyle.

Comment by Angie — April 4, 2011 @ 6:23 am

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I love the bridesmaids dresses. I need to find cute dresses for my sisters. I’m not having them dressed the same but I asked them to wear long dresses. Where is that one from? I love that color on you!
Try being self conscious w the boudoir pics! Hahaha… 3 chins are not so bad when the “platanal” is trying to make an appearance. No se Como decir platanal en ingles = racimo de platanos!! Jajaja

Comment by CaTa — April 4, 2011 @ 6:31 am

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You look so pretty in your dress! Not fat at all, silly. And Molly looks pretty too, and I’m so happy for her and Ben – I know I don’t know them, but after hearing about them so much from you I feel like I almost do.

Comment by Emily — April 4, 2011 @ 7:36 am

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Pockets!

Comment by Zack — April 4, 2011 @ 8:05 am

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Kyle, I don’t think you are the only one suffering from the FOLFIPH phobia. It’s a real syndrome . . Fear of Looking Fat in Photos, google it!

Comment by Rita — April 4, 2011 @ 10:06 am

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I can testify that when its your own wedding, the photography is even harder work. We couldn’t afford a photographer at our wedding. So I was running around doing as much of the photos as I could, and then relying on friends to take pictures when I had to be in them. In all honesty though it was just as well I did do so much running around because most of those other shots weren’t so good. Teaching friends how to use a strange camera turned out to be harder than doing the running around.

Comment by Scotsman — April 4, 2011 @ 12:09 pm

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Great to meet you Kyle! Seba was pretty cool too, so don’t think you can take all the credit. Also, this wedding was amazing, and Molly and Ben couldn’t have been a better couple to work with.

One of the bridesmaids was pretty special too. Cheers!

Comment by Eric Yerke — April 4, 2011 @ 4:52 pm

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You are a serious maniac, you look gorgeous! Your dress fits beautifully and you look poised and elegant! I know you’re not fishing but you do need to be told some truths mujer. Posture is my thing, I have terrible photo posture and often look pregnant if I’m not careful! Eeeeck!

Comment by Kristy — April 4, 2011 @ 8:28 pm

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