Much More Then Taking Photographs

My morning begins at 6am, when the daylight hours have barely begun to peek over the horizon with pink and golden rays. I drag myself out of bed, eyelids still heavy, and take a quick shot of the sunrise in stunning panorama. I check to make sure the shots are good and then stumble down to breakfast. Even half asleep, I am still a photographer.

The moment I'm fully awake, it is time to get to work. As a destination wedding photographer, my job takes me to the most amazing places. I have been through the hectic haze of London, taking pictures of every police box I see and stopping native Londoners for a fashion photo op. I have been to the coastal Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where crystal waves break on turquoise shores. The shore glows at night with lights peeking from city windows, tall buildings engraved in the cliff side.

Each day is a new adventure, ripe with potential and the chance to take that perfect shot, the one all photographers dream about. It's not all fun and games, though.

When I tell people what I do for a living, I typically get the same response: “Oh, so you take pictures?”

Well, duh. But there's so much more to it than that. Wedding photographers oftentimes are the lynch pin that holds the wedding together. We are not only photographing your special moments; we do a bit of everything.
I have many times found myself playing decorator, coordinator, therapist... I should really start putting these things on my resume. I am also a stylist, entertainer and children-finder. I have had brides and mothers cry on my shoulder, and I have taken more coffee orders than I can count, or drink orders for that matter. The list goes on and on...

But I am not complaining. I love all of it. I love the bustle and energy, the beauty of fresh new love blossoming in front of me as I capture romantic moments, but most of all, I love knowing that I've made the bride's day special. I guess you could say I set the mood. How I do my job sets the tone for how the wedding is going to be. When I do my job well, everybody's happy, which makes me feel rewarded and sets my heart aflutter.

It is not just my work; it is my passion. It is the tidal wave that sweeps me away into an ocean of ideas, and it's also the gentle flow that brings me back to calm waters. My brain is always bursting with anticipation of where my job will bring me next, what exciting new opportunities I will find that day.

It's not just a job. It's my way of life.