Whitney and Analee did NOT want wedding photos.
I've worked with couples who have been indifferent about getting wedding photos taken, whether that was for budgetary reasons or in general. Typically I would end up at their festivities after having a friend or family member gift my services, feeling like the couple would regret it in the years to come.
This was only...partially the case for Whitney and Analee. Their friend and officiant, Laura, reached out letting me know that they were looking into hiring a photographer for their friend's December elopement at the State Law Library in the Iowa Capitol. The major hangup? They absolutely, 1000000% did NOT want a photographer. They were actively against having someone along to take photos. Their fear? It would be weird. It would be annoying. It wouldn't be fun. It would ruin the vibe. Worried they'd later regret it, Laura was touching base with a few people to see if maybe, just maybe, they could get Analee and Whitney on board. Even slightly.
After some back and forth, Laura decided I was the woman for the job. Her next task? Creating a PowerPoint presentation explaining why hiring a wedding photographer—and specifically, this goofy ass wedding photographer—would be a good idea. I can confidently say that I have never seen this approach, but as someone who looooves a good PowerPoint presentation, I knew there was at least SOME chance of Laura being able to convince them.
When Whitney and Analee arrived, they both looked at me skeptically.
"We're not excited about....this," Analee said, waving her hand in my direction.
"You just gestured to all of me," I said, feigning hurt. "But seriously, I get it. But trust me, by the end of this you'll realize I'm not all that bad."
"Okay so how do we do this?" Whitney asked, shifting anxiously, looking at the camera hanging from my harness.
"Whatever you want. Read some books. Climb the staircase. Smooch. Play tag. Whatever sounds fun to you."
They looked at me skeptically, but Analee shrugged and said, "Okay." Grabbing Whitney's hand, they started exploring the space, all while jokeing amongst themselves and with their friends. After a few moments of candids, I suggested a couple spots and stepped back to let them engage. Soon, Analee was suggesting spots and different poses, Whitney cracking up at her suggestions. You could almost feel the air around them get lighter.
Once everyone was feeling comfortable and familiar with the space, Laura conducted their short ceremony at one end of the library, starting with the ever-important "Mawage" quote from Princess Bride, ending with cheers and smiles from their group of loved ones.
As I started to pack up my bag, Analee asked if it were possible to get me to stay a little longer. Laura and I locked eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I think I can make that work. What do you have in mind?"
After parting ways, Laura texted me to let me know that both Whitney and Analee had thanked her for having me along. "Damn. You were right and we were wrong," Laura quoted Whitney to me via text. Thus proving the power of a laid-back elopement documenting experience...and a PowerPoint presentaiton.
