I broke two professional rules last weekend. One I can justify … the other? I’m not sure how to fit it into my professional perspective. As photographers, we follow many rules. Lots of them our customers know about — some of them are secrets. You know, never let a family member over rule our professional judgment. And never, I mean never, let a four year old play with the big, heavy lens … even if it does look like a cool spaceship. But the unwritten law of professional photography: never photograph a family member’s wedding! Something will inevitably happen, and no contract can ever cover the loss. So, we defer our skills to the next best uncle or aunt with a camera (cringing and fighting the urge to jump in to control the shoot).
Colby and Kara (my newest sister-in-law) knew this, and, subsequently, didn’t ask me to work during their day. As many of you know, staying out of the “game” isn’t part of my process. So, I badgered my way into the fray … camera in hand. Now, my beautiful daughter performed flower girl services on Saturday, so I have to admit — I may have been equally motivated by her newest life milestone. And a cute milestone it was!
The third rule has to do with wearing bunny costumes on Easter while photographing (or even purporting to photograph) an event of any particular magnitude. It shouldn’t happen. But when it does, make sure and get plenty of pictures … it won’t likely happen twice! I’ll let you guess who is wearing the costume. Maybe drop a few comments and give us your best guess?
Bunny stories aside, watching my family enter into this new phase — unifying and even integrating new family members — reminded me yet again why I adore these days so much. Because no matter what age we say we are, no matter how many lives we’ve led, no matter how many paths we’ve followed, the wedding is the perfect confluence of the many steps we’ve taken along the way. All paths lead to one, and I’m more than honored to have been a part of their day. So enjoy a few glimpses from Colby and Kara’s wedding:
