Behind the Scenes 2019
January 11, 2020
This time last year, we introduced what has become one of our favorite annual traditions: a behind-the-scenes recap of all of last year! After shooting weddings and engagement sessions professionally for a few years, we’ve really gotten used to the many stranger aspects of our job.
But I bet there’s a lot you didn’t know about being a professional wedding photographer!
For instance, did you know that professional photography can often double as yoga?
Or at the very least, we seem to manage to make it into that.
Especially when shooting in those hard-to-reach-places
Speaking of hard-to-reach, at 5-feet-2-inches (in shoes), Sarah’s still reaching for every extra inch she can get.
And in the event that there’s nothing she can stand on, have no fear! Coach the folding stool is here!
Sarah named him Coach since he lifts us up to heights we couldn’t achieve on our own 😂
But sometimes, getting low is more important than gaining a few extra inches.
And occasionally, it’s our job to seamlessly blend into the natural environment…
Or maybe not-so-seamlessly.
I bet you didn’t know how dangerous wedding photography is! Sometimes, it’s our job to endure attacks from vicious dogs.
Or get control of unruly crowds.
Okay… they’re actually quite… ruly.
In actuality, shooting in harsh conditions is one of the harder parts of our job. When it’s raining…
Or barely above freezing…
Or almost 100 degrees… The shoot must go on!
Another trend we’ve noticed is how often we get to step in and give our couples some guidance. After all, they’ve never cut a wedding cake before!
Or gone to a first look…
Or tossed a bouquet.
We’ll even walk down your aisle for you and test your sparkler send off, just to make sure no one lights your hair on fire.
Hunter will even practice your first look with your man!
But you better be careful, or he might run off with your wedding dress.
Or spend all his time with your rings and shoes
One thing certainly never fails: we have an uncanny ability to walk right into each others’ shots sometimes.
Or all the time…
Like, this is an Olympic skill people!
But even better than these bloopers are our test shots…
And while Hunter has his moments…
Sarah has made it into an art.
And then perfected that art.
But even our grooms have started to catch on!
Another big part of our job is finding the perfect light. And sometimes, our reflector juuuust off-camera helps with that
Oh no, Sarah’s not tall enough! Quick — stand on something! Wait, better yet, just recruit a tall groomsmen!
Or if you ever forget how to count to one, Hunter’s happy to show you during your session
Or if your man needs a little extra encouragement to really hold you tight…
We’ll always be there to give some helpful direction.
And we’re always talking our couples through the entire process!
So if you ever need help with your dress…
Even if it’s a two person job…
We’re on it!
Likewise if you have any trouble with your veil…
Of if your groom shows up to portraits with his boutonniere still in a box.
Speaking of veils, Hunter’s new go-to is joining our couples underneath the veil…
While Sarah’s “fluff and run” technique is almost as good as a wind machine!
But in all seriousness, 2019 was an incredible year for us in so many ways! For starters, it saw Hunter through the transition from one camera, to two… to three.
At this rate he should be carrying about a dozen cameras to every session by the end of 2022. But it’s all good – he’s used to carrying lots of things at once.
2019 also saw the creation of the Hunter and Sarah Photography Apprenticeship, a mentorship program where we bring newer photographers under our wing and coach them through the early stages of growing a thriving photography business. Even though the program can be a lot of hard work for our apprentices at times…
We’re pretty sure they also have fun with it.
And of course, they’re building their early portfolios…
And learning from *cough cough* the best (okay maybe not the best but they’ve got us at least).
2019 also took us to some really incredible places!
We got to shoot beach sessions and weddings…
On BOTH coasts!
Not to mention a trip to the desert…
Oh and remember that time we shot a wedding in Lake Como, Italy?!
We even got our own photo taken a few times!
And of course, we got to laugh a lot with our couples…
Or tell goofy jokes to diffuse the tension…
And there’s nothing quite like getting to hug (or photograph) our couples goodbye at the very end of their night.
And we can’t forget about all the #SheldonSandwhich photos we took this year! Look at all those smiling faces!
And of course, nothing beats that *gasp* when couples see their photos right in the middle of the session!
Or the laughter when we catch a funny face!
We have the best jobs in the world. Whether we’re on a surprise proposal…
Or an engagement session…
Or celebrating with our couples on their wedding day…
We couldn’t imagine doing anything else! Happy 2020 everyone!
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If you can’t get enough behind-the-scenes goofiness, check out the rest of our BTS Annual Reviews!