I wasn't sure I'd be cool enough to photograph Katie and Jonathan's wedding.
Katie had reached out to me after her original photographer found out she was pregnant and would be due around the time of her wedding. And while we all agreed that was a more than understandable reason for someone to back out of a wedding, it still put Katie and Jonathan in a pickle. And I was experiencing my own pickling after they reached out.
You see, I knew I liked Katie. I learned quickly I liked Jonathan after meeting him for the first time. I liked Katie and Jonathan together. They were smart and silly and just felt right. But I wasn't sure that I could meet the vision they were looking for. Together, Katie and Jonathan are the picture of folk-boho bliss. And the engagement photos they had taken with their original photographer were so cool. Moody and effortless. This vibe of hippie meets rock 'n roll that made every photo feel like album art on a cool vinyl record you really wanted to listen to. Their ceremony space at the Teachout Building in the East Village was going to be eclectic and warm, then they'd turn things up a notch moving next door to Wooly's for a live band and the party of the decade. They were even turning their engagement photos into concert posters to hang where the music venue typically advertised bands who were going to perform. It all sounded so personal and amazing.
But I am just...not cool. I expressed that concern to Jonathan and Katie and they reassured me that having someone who knew and cared about them was equally important to them on their wedding day. But I was determined to meet them in the middle.
While I might not be the edgiest photographer around, I'm not afraid to play and try new things. I set a goal for myself to step outside of my normal boundaries. I approached the day in a way that was a little more raw than usual. I worried less about perfect lighting and more about perfect moments. I leaned into deep shadows and intimate spaces. And I partied my freaking ass off at the reception. And once I got back to my computer, I even decided to edit the photos in a way that was different from my usual, giving even more space for the warmth and nostalgia Katie and Jonathan so meticulously curated to thrive.
I was a little nervous to share their gallery with the world. I was worried people wouldn't like it--it doesn't look like my usual work. Or what if they DID like it, and my usual work suddenly wasn't good enough? But then I realized that photography is an art, and while I can have a style, that doesn't mean I am forced to live within it at all times. I greatly appreciate when my couples trust me to make artistic decisions that will serve them on their wedding day. I'm equally grateful that Katie and Jonathan help me increase my cool points by at least 10.
