To wed or not to wed? | Springfield photographer

When I began dreaming of having my own photography business, I was quite unsure of which areas of photography I wanted to specialize in...so I decided to try them all and see what happens! I have begun mostly with families, seniors, and babies to get started, and have adored each area for very different reasons.  The other big area that I have always dreamed of but wasn't sure where it was going is weddings.  My amazing wedding photographer, Beth Laurren, that I had dreamed and planned to have photograph my wedding for a couple of years before I even met my Michael, has been so very kind as to let me attend a couple of weddings with her in the last few weeks and a few more later in the summer, to see if this is an area that I want to pursue.  I will blog in more detail about both of those weddings in the coming weeks but for today am going to just stick with the wedding experience!

Here are a few things I learned (or already knew!) about weddings.
Weddings are romantic.

Yes, in many ways, I am a typical girl, and I LOVE love.  I love becoming a part of that love story and getting to know it and see it in this huge, public declaration.  I know the full story of marriage it isn't all about romance and love, but for this one day, it is, and it is beautiful to experience!

Weddings are details.

Flowers, shoes, accessories, lace, champagne glasses, programs, music, bubbles, ribbons, jewelry, rings...I love it all, and weddings are all about these details!  I love seeing how each bride puts all of these things together to form her perfect vision for this day, and I love capturing them!

Weddings are moments.

The bride's face right before she walks down the aisle.  The groom's face when he first sees his bride.  The first kiss.  The couple realizes during pictures that they can call their fiance "My husband" or "My wife".  The best man's toast.  The father's face when he gives his daughter away.  The tears in their eyes as they say their vows.  The bride and grooms kiss when they think no one is looking.  The flower girl gets stuck half way down the aisle and has to find mommy or daddy.  I love these moments!

Weddings are fashion.

...and I LOVE fashion!  Wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, suits, colors, textures....it's awesome!

Weddings are spiritual.

For me, the wedding day is about much more than just these 2 people choosing each other; it is also about them asking God to be in and a part of their marriage.  These weddings I photographed with Beth were also acts of worship, and it was so special to experience. I know this wouldn't necessarily be the case for every wedding from the couple's viewpoint, but for me, God is always a huge part of a wedding day in one way or another, and I just adore that.

Weddings are excitement.  There isn't much to say here that isn't obvious.  The bride and groom are just so full of excitement and light on this day and it is so much fun to be a part of!

Weddings are family.

I love seeing all the ins and outs of the families, how they interact, and how they come together to support this day.  Family, who for a few moments, regardless of what else is going on in their lives, are fully focused on the love of the bride and groom.  It isn't all pretty and perfect, or organized, or simple, but it is real and genuine.

Weddings can be full of hubbub and chaos!  I have certainly seen that, and that from a couple very well organized and put together weddings!  Beth is the queen of dealing with all of this, and keeping everyone calm and collected.  From my experiences with putting on events at school, "chaotic" and "hubbub" are regular words to describe my day, and are another area where I tend to think I thrive (unless things get REALLY crazy, and then I have some work to do!).  My brain is pretty organized and while I may seem like I am scattered, it is because I am always doing and thinking of many things at once to address everyone's needs, and usually able to accomplish them all in due time.  This seems very important for these events. 

Weddings are full of people.

I have discovered in my teaching career that I am a person who is really ENERGIZED by people and events.  Some of my closest teacher friends end the day exhausted, no matter how much they love the classroom, by all of the people interaction, and I always feel much the opposite.  Not that it isn't sometimes exhausting, and not that I wasn't exhausted after these weddings that I got to be a part of...but it isn't a mind and heart exhaustion- those parts of me are totally energized by it.  I adore getting to know people and talking to them, and the idea of becoming a part of these couple's lives, and becoming more than just their photographer through the process, is so very appealing to me!

And lastly, Weddings are a reminder.

*Photo by Beth Laurren Photography.
A reminder of what I got to experience on 10.3.10 with my beloved husband and all of my closest family and friends.  Throughout another's wedding day, I am constantly pulled back to those moments that meant so much to me, and reminded of those vows, and it is so special.

I did greatly enjoy my wedding experiences with Beth, and am anticipating a few more in the fall.  I don't know exactly what the future has in store for Jill Gum Photography and weddings, but I know that I loved what I have seen so far, and am so very excited to see what the future may bring!  Stay tuned for futher information. :)