i have known tim for quite a few years now, so when he and rachael inquired about hiring me to shoot one of, if not the most important day of their lives, i have to admit i got a little nervous. i mean, let’s get down to brass tacks for a second, shall we? i feel that comfortable with you, my readers. weddings can be a pressure-cooker of a situation for everyone involved in them. i mean, look how anxious the little ring-bearers usually get. ;) but, seriously. when you are shooting the big day of someone you know, i think it raises the stakes a little bit more. as i type this, that even feels wrong to say… because, clearly, you do not want to make any mistakes on anyone’s wedding day. but, human instincts i think would say that having that responsibility for someone you know adds a little more to it.
and… i digress…
i was honored to be chosen to shoot their wedding for them. it was exciting for me to be a part of such an event, especially to just be there to witness it all. apparently, that bottle of water i just drank must have had truth serum in it (curse you, arrowhead!) because i have another confession to make. when i spoke with rachael and she told me they would not be available for an engagement shoot of any type, nor a day after or TTD, i hung my head a little. once you start seeing photos of them, you will understand. i mean, these two are models.. or at least they play ones on TV.
with no further ado… (but plenty of “i do”) (oh…i slay me… anyone else? i will blog here all week… try the veal)
on my way to meeting with the guys as they got ready, i stopped to pick up a New York Times. the happy couple lives there and i thought it would be fun to throw that nifty detail into their photos somehow.
i smiled when i saw that tim’s ring had an inscription inside. i love that little detail.
after tim and his brothers helped one another get ready, tim helped his good friend sean finish dressing as well.
some last shots of the guys before trekking down to spend some time shooting rachael and her girls.
really, every bride should have a sip or two of the bubbly while she gets ready.
one of rachael’s bridesmaids, and another person i have known for years and years….. lacy:
and for all you fashionistas…
and it was off to the church. and more prepping. :)
another of rachael’s bridesmaids helping tim’s brother out:
it was a treat to see how strong the love was shared not only between tim & rachael, but between their friends and them too.
this moment here… always my favorite at weddings. the electricity in the air is just incomparable with anything else.
i was kind of passing the time with them when i shot a series at this piano after the ceremony. but there is something so natural about this that i love.
after shooting the wedding party, we literally had 4 minutes to shoot the newlyweds’ photos, what some call the “romantics” shots. fortunately, i pay attention to NFL quarterbacks. i went into my own 2 minute-drill offense with them to beat the clock. (and i did not kick a field goal)
when i spoke with rachael the day before the wedding, she reiterated for me to “go for it” with their photos… that they like the artsy side of my work. some of the light here gave me a good opportunity to snap a few photos that yielded some prime opportunities for some extra artistry. i got it out of my system with these three frames.
now, let me reiterate my heartache for you one last time. i mean, seriously. look at these two. i could have shot them for hours!
four minutes flew by and it was time to head in for the reception. everything was so beautiful inside. i loved their approach on the tables and with the cake.
oh, i misled you earlier. forgive me. during their first dance, i took one other chance to get more into my artsy side (with the sunlight flooding right on them through the windows).
tim’s brother, jamie, gave one of the most hilarious toasts i have ever heard.
it seems like at every wedding, there is one (sometimes more) super cute kid that just steals everyone’s heart … and often, also steals the spotlight on the dance floor.
and there is always a kid that gets tossed into the air or swung by their arms. this time, they happened to be one and the same person :)
and all good things come to an end….. sadly….
i really cannot express what an honor it was to shoot their wedding. so, thanks so much, tim and rachael. i appreciate your faith and trust in me. with more than i have within me, i wish you both the best in your life together!
as a bonus for this fantabulous couple… comment this blog post up! 25 comments (from 25 different people, if i need to specify) on this post will earn them a free 8×12 of their choosing from me. i even threw in a bonus level on this. who doesn’t love a bonus level? if they get 50 comments here, i will gift them 5 free 5×7 prints.
so share the love! :)
by Tim
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