Thursday 13

Today will be 13 things I love most about photographing weddings

1. Getting to be an important part of such an intimate day in a couple's life.

2. The smiles I see through my lens, when people don't know the camera is on them, that are more genuine than any smile you get from saying "say cheese". (seriously...I can't stand the strained smile some people immediately give when they see a camera pop up...I must train my children otherwise!)

3. The smell of the beautiful flowers and how no bouquet ever looks the same as those from another wedding. A friend recently blogged about how she wishes you could box up a smell because it triggers memories, and I couldn't agree more. There is a distinct smell from a bouquet of wedding flowers that the same flowers in any other situation wouldn't smell like. Sounds crazy, but I have the worlds most sensitive nose, I know these things to be true. :)

4. The unique touches each couple puts on their day.

5. Wedding music (in the ceremony). even if I have heard a song a thousand times, it will surely still make me smile.

6. First dance songs. With ALL of the weddings I have done, I have never had two couples choose the same song! I am always surprised to hear a new song at each wedding. side note: the wedding I did last weekend totally did a "rock the reception" first dance. it was awesome!

7. Wedding cake. More the way they look than how they taste, I often feel bad eating cake at the weddings I photograph.

8. Hearing a bride say "you captured every detail of my day, I feel like I am reliving my day through these photos!"

9. Getting to relive my wedding day in my mind and realizing that I would not change one thing about it. perfection.

10. Watching old people dance!

11. Making new friends. I really do feel like I become friends with my brides! I am blessed.

12. The way a groom smiles at his bride.

13. The fabulous night of sleep I get after shooting a wedding...no better sleep than those nights....pure bliss