This wedding is giving me all the feels- about everything.  As I edited throughout the week, I experienced some self discovery and maybe even some breakthroughs in my thought process as a photographer.   More than likely, you’re here for the images.  And if so, you’re in the right place.  Because this post is LOADED with so many amazing images.  And I’m not saying that because I was the photographer.  I literally experience joy from this wedding because of how stinking genuine it is.  Sure I was googly eyed from all the pretty details that Maggie put together to personalize their day, but what really gets me are the candid images from the day.  The ones where they are laughing together, where Maggie is giving her mom an impromptu hug while she is carrying her plate, where the boys are sneaking icing off the cake while Maggie is decorating it after dinner.  Sometimes as a photographer I feel like an elephant in the room.  As discreet as I try to be, people notice me or even feel like they need to be doing something or posing for me.  But here I felt like a fly on the wall.  I got to capture the big moments; but also ones that were seemingly insignificant at the time.  Ones that the people in the images probably won’t remember happened because they were so natural and genuine, but will smile when they are reminded of them.

And that’s where some self discovery happened for me.  I am in love with photojournalism.  I love when my photography is unscripted- one that doesn’t create a story, but simply tells it.  I am not bashing anyone for incorporating certain things into their wedding day, but so much of it has turned into making sure it is keeping up with trends.  Pinterest tells us we should be doing All. The. Things. on wedding day.  So much so that the itinerary can feel more like a checklist rather than letting the day happen organically.  Yes, I love a good checklist.  I love sticking to a schedule.  But even more as a photographer, I love the unscripted, the organic.  Sure, there is a time to smile or snuggle for some pretty portraits.  And you know I love me some wedding portraits.  But when two people are excited to be spending the rest of their lives together and share it with their favorite people on wedding day, that’s when magic happens in photography.  Because I really did nothing at all besides showed up with a camera.  (Okay, so maybe I’ve also had some training and practice- but you know what I mean)

There are so many reasons why I love this wedding.  Its intimate setting of just 12 people was relaxed and refreshing.  We weren’t on a strict timeline and the only thing on the agenda was get these two married and have a good time.  Maggie is a super talented florist and I would be remiss if I said I wasn’t super excited to capture the beautiful details that she put together.  The tablescape with Lake Huron in the background was breathtaking.  Her dress and Evan’s suit were an absolute perfect fit to the beachy vibes.  I could go on forever about it.  But the likelihood that you’ve even made it this far in reading is a long shot at this point.  What I will say is that this wedding allowed me to let go.  Let go of the agenda.  Let go of what Instgram says I should be doing as a photographer.  I was there.  I was present.  I captured things as I saw them instead of trying to make everything perfect- which in the end, for me, made everything perfect.

Evan and Maggie traveled all the way from their native San Diego to little ‘ole Michigan to vow forever to each other in front of their closest family and friends at their beautiful vacation home in East Tawas.  And lucky for me, I got to be a part of it.  Congratulations you two!  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the most beautiful day!