Still nervous, me and my loud Escape head on over to her in laws and I find Amy waiting outside for me! We chat a bit and go inside. I meet her husband and in laws and I watch her make a sign for the reception. A little back story to this day was that Amy is friends with the groom and she agreed to do this wedding for them. Most of Mike and Stacey's friends and family did not know they were not married yet. As far as they knew, today was just the reception and they had already gotten married at the city hall a week prier. It was actually a surprise to many to be able to actually witness the ceremony AND have some fun at the reception. How cool is that?!! I was so nervous, that I had to ask Amy to tell me the story again to make sure I didn't screw anything up. I was so nervous, and still stuck on the fact that I was finally meeting her for the first time. I sound and look like a babbling idiot when I am nervous! ....and sometimes I may come across as "dumb" to others but really its just a nervous me, wanting to get to know you and not screw anything up! ...but something about Amy was so chill. She was easy to talk too, easy to get along with, and easy to relate with.
Waiting for the Brides and her bridemaids to get to the house (who were all REALLY funny too and some pretty cool, chill people!) Amy worked on a sign for the reception that mentioned to put your cameras and phones away during the reception. Stacey (the bride) walked in first and she is just beautiful. At this point all the girls had their hair and makeup done and were just ready to put on the dresses. Working with Amy, I was too the side. Its a different experience than being the lead of anything really, and that was a bit hard to do because I am used to directing a session type thing, but I appreciated and loved every minute that Amy gave me!! I loved that I was able to see how she works, and how others do it. I have been curious for the longest time since I am self taught. I only know my world, and how I have done things. So we work together to try and find a spot to hang the dress and Amy ends up finding one screw that was towards the top by the fireplace (pics to come!) We both take turns shooting the dress. I like to shoot up close and tight, so I got a few details of the dress, up close. Then we moved the bride and Amy to the back of the room where they did the "putting on the dress" shots and me and one of her bridesmaids stay in the living room waiting. Stacey wanted a "first look" at the dress with her best friend, which I took lead and offered to shoot her face/reaction for Amy! Some shots were really great, some were not so flattering to the bride, some were very candid, and some were beautiful candid moments of her best friend witnessing the bride in her beautiful dress! Did I mention I was a beginner. I want to document where I am now and read about this later in life, after I have completely busted my arse gaining experience because I absolutely LOVE what I do and never stop learning!!!! Anyways, Amy had the idea to take a few quick shots of the bouquet and the Brides shoes, which I thought, "Okay cool idea!" so I took a turn and took a few shots and angled the shoes her way, then another way. Again, I liked the close up shots....so I got a few of those, a wide one, a few different angles and perspectives. The bouquet was actually DIY'd and made from a book (pics to come!) SO unique and such a cute idea. Mike is an Arthur and Stacey is a bookworm so it was PERFECT for their personalities and careers! After the girls were all ready we met the boys at the park so Amy could do a few formal shots with the boys. Waiting in the park, the boys decide to walk down to this beautiful trellis. Amy told me a while before we met that this park was actually made for photographers. Let me tell you! She is SO lucky to have this beautiful park practically in her backyard (Pics to come!!) SO the boys walk down, do their thing, and I was to wait by the limo. The girls waiting in the limo till the boys were done. I was waiting for a "here comes the bride" message from Amy which was my cue to have the girls come out and I was to take shots of the girls coming out of the limo, and down the path walking towards the stairs down to the trellis. I was also in charge of taking shots of the bride while she walked down the stairs, and her girls stayed up at the top! I love responsibility like this...I feel so grown up....so cool!! haha Anyways, I stage myself by this beautiful trellis in front of the grown. We were about to do the "FIRST LOOK" how exciting right?! It was my responsibility to get the brides reaction!! I got this!! I love a challenge! Just let me make sure I get my settings right. I fumbled a bit because I was shooting a bit over exposed. SO finally, something I can work with, get me OFF the spot lol OKAY, READY! Phew...Mike turns around (I can't see his face or expression at this point) But Stacey is glowing and smiling from ear to ear! "Well...do you like?" She asks haha boys! Men of few words...but its easy to figure out why? He is speechless, he has lost all words because she is stunning, absolutely gorgeous! They give a little kiss, and she does a little twirl in her dress! LOVE!! We spent the majority of the time, doing formals and I watched her pose and work up a sweat. I wanted to help more, but felt so useless just standing there! I did my absolute best to make sure I got what Amy needed, any shots she needed and especially made sure to keep OUT of her shots! I thought the coolest thing that Amy did, and something I will learn and take away from was when she had one of the grooms carve a heart out of a leaf and then used it as a filter in front of her camera and had Mike and Stacey kissing in the heart (pics to come!!) I LOVED THAT!!!! Here is us after we all walked back towards the Limo. I have to get my selfie with Amy!!
