I had been there four years earlier with my father – my first trip to the east coast, with the sole purpose of checking out two colleges: Yale and Columbia.  It took me about ten minutes on Columbia’s campus to realize it wasn’t a good fit for me.  It took me less than five to determine that Yale was my dream school.  So my father and I packed up and spent the rest of the time checking out NYC.  I remember my high school giddiness of seeing the shiny skyscraper that had graced so many silver screens right there in front of me.  Four years later, I stood in front of the same building, about to graduate from that dream school that I had never believed I’d make it into.

This image means a lot to me, and I don’t know why.  I’m not from New York.  I’m not even a city girl.  I never went to the top of the Empire State building, though I walked in it several times.  But this photo tells me that you can do anything you want.  You can.  You may have to wait.  You may have to work until your eyelids droop.  Until your mind is exhausted.  Until your feet are blistered.  But anything is possible.

This photo is on my About Me section right now.  That’s because I think it does say something about me – my belief in dreams and hard work to attain them, a refusal to accept tough odds as a reason for not achieving, and a total disregard for fear.  I am excited about what my immediate future holds.  I’m conjuring up some serious dreams.  Real skyscrapers, in fact.  Can’t wait to stand in front of them.

A brief rundown of a typical wedding day: The order and timing of the events of the day will vary by country and region.  In many places, the ceremony of the wedding will take place in the morning.  You won’t photograph the ceremony itself, but you will most likely photograph the family and friends outside the temple afterward (more about this in the moment).  Then there may be a lunch, often just for family, which may or may not be formal.  There will be no “rehearsal dinner” because the wedding is not rehearsed, but there may be a family dinner the night before.  You will need to work out with the bride and groom whether or not they want these gatherings photographed.  Receptions often occur in the evening.  Frequently there are refreshments in lieu of a formal sit-down dinner.  You can probably expect the usual bouquet/garter tosses, first dances, etc.  Alcohol is not served, and there may not be any “toasts” given.  As with all weddings, discuss in advance what wedding events will be photographed.  Be clear about what key moments are important to the bride and groom.

Most photographers will have no trouble documenting the majority of the day.  However, a point of difficulty is often how to incorporate the temple into your plan.  Here are 11 tips to successfully and sensitively photograph this part of the day:

1)      Because you will not document the ceremony, document the temple instead.

This is a very important point, which is why it is first:  Arrive early and photograph the temple itself.  Consider this part of your job as important as photographing the dress or cake.  Here’s why:  The ceremony takes place inside the temple, and it is a small, intimate, very special event that Latter-Day Saints consider very sacred.  In fact, it is not referred to as a “wedding” at all, but as a “sealing.”  In LDS beliefs, being married in the temple means that you are sealed together by the power of God, and that your family bonds will last forever – even after death.  To LDS couples, this belief is beautiful, comforting, and central to the life of the family.  Why the brief theology lesson?  Because even though you as the wedding photographer will not be present at the ceremony, taking quality photographs of the temple is critical. Brides understand that they will not have photos of their ceremony and they don’t need them.  But that is not a license to simply snap a few photos on the temple grounds and move on to the reception, which may be more familiar territory to you as a photographer.  What happens in the temple is the most important part of the day, and the most important event in their life.  Honor it appropriately by allocating time to photograph the temple and the surrounding grounds, which will remind the couple and the family of that beautiful moment.  The bride might not think to ask you specifically to photograph the temple, but she won’t have to if you’re a savvy photographer.  If you do it without being asked, you will be showing sensitivity and an understanding of its importance, and brides WILL appreciate it.

You should also know that almost all LDS families have at least one photo of a temple in their home.  Pictures of the temple can set the tone for an entire room by reminding the family of how it feels to be in the temple – quiet, serene, and peaceful.  By photographing a temple well, you are preserving these powerful, happy emotions, and an amazing reminder of their commitment to each other and to God.  If you can capture a gorgeous shot of the temple itself, it may become an heirloom treasured by that couple’s grandchildren that is as precious as the wedding album itself.

Now that we’re clear on the importance of the temple, here are the hard-and-fast logistical things to know:

2)      Know that the time of day you will be shooting at the temple may not have ideal light. If the wedding takes place in the morning, you may end up photographing the family outside in the 10am-2pm window.  You know the difficulty from a shooting standpoint – very little open shade, shadows, not ideal light.  Scout out the location in advance at the time of day you will be photographing, and know how you will compensate for any lighting difficulties.  People of all faiths are welcome on temple grounds, so it is no problem if you would like to walk around in advance to find places to shoot.

3)      While you are waiting for the couple to come out of the temple, photograph waiting guests. Most reception guests will not attend the ceremony itself, but some people, including family members, will be waiting outside for the bride and groom to come out.  This is a good time to capture beautiful candids of individuals who are not present at the ceremony, but who are nonetheless very important to the bride and groom.

4)      Establish a plan for the “grand exit” in advance. Rather than a “grand entrance” of a bride walking down an aisle, the couple typically walks out of the temple together as husband and wife.  This is an important moment.  Sometimes a family member will be designated to come out and let everyone know that the couple is coming out so that anyone waiting can gather.  Be informed about how and when this is occurring.  If the bride does not tell you, ask in advance so you are prepared to capture the couple’s glowing faces as they greet everyone for the first time as husband and wife.  The couple will usually go around and hug/greet everyone.  This is usually a tearful, joyful moment.  A golden opportunity to capture emotion!

5)      Know that there will be many people not related to the bridal party walking around the temple grounds. The temple is not just used for weddings, and they are frequently very busy places, particularly on weekends.  Especially during the summer, there will be other brides and grooms present, also trying to have their pictures taken.  If there is one area of shade next to the temple, know that other groups will be present also trying to use the space.  Work quickly and considerately, and share the space.

6)      Understand that this is a spiritually important place for LDS people, and behave accordingly. Be considerate of others attending the temple and know that they are there for a deeply spiritual experience.  One way you can show your respect is by never yelling or shouting while on temple grounds.  Have people help you gather family members for group photos, but don’t yell “HEY EVERYONE OVER HERE!”   Work respectfully.  There will be other people walking in and out of the temple.  If people see you are trying to take photographs, they will usually try to get out of your way as quickly as possible.  But also learn to work around them.

7)      Bring a wide-angle lens. The bride and groom will probably want a photo with the whole temple in the background, including the spires.  Many temples have extensive grounds, but not all have enough room for you to back up to capture the entire scene.  Be prepared with a wide-angle lens.  Also, the temple may be surrounded by busy parking lots or streets, so learn to eliminate distracting elements from the photograph.

8)      Dress appropriately. Know that people will be wearing conservative, “Sunday best” clothes.  LDS women will not be wearing tank tops, spaghetti straps, sleeveless or strapless dresses.  You should dress professionally at all weddings, but be aware that if you are wearing a very short skirt or a sleeveless dress, you will stick out, which is not our goal as photographers.

9)      Know when and where the family formals will take place. Have a clear discussion with the bride and groom before the wedding of what family formals they want, and where they want them to take place.  Sometimes bridal parties will come to the temple just dressed “nicely,” and change into tuxes and bridesmaid dresses for the reception only.  If that’s the case, formal shots will probably take place at the reception venue.  Even so, most will also want photos by the temple (such as a shot of everyone who was present for the sealing, which may be up to 40-50 people, another reason for the wide-angle!) so you effectively may end up doing two sets of photos.  There is usually plenty of time, but know in advance what they expect.

10)  Take portraits of just the bride and groom on temple grounds. Remember that it is a special religious building, so it’s best to save the running/jumping/goofy photos for the reception site.  However, the couple’s future children and grandchildren will want to see classic photos of the couple in front of the temple.

11)   In your wedding albums, feature photos of the temple.  If you had to shoot at noon on a sunny day, you may be tempted to include one or two and then move on to photos taken in more flattering evening light.  Again, this is the most important part of the day, and shouldn’t be minimized.  Temples have gorgeous architecture and landscaping, and can truly be a photographer’s dream to photograph creatively.  Some details that might be especially meaningful to brides are:

-          The sign by the entrance of the temple that says which one it is (e.g. The Boise Idaho Temple, the Chicago Illinois Temple, etc).  This is also a good place to position the bride and groom for portraits.  This is a great “scene-setter” photo for an album.

-          The top of the spire with the golden angel on it.

-          The wording that is frequently placed on the tallest spire that says “The House of the Lord.”

-          Any interesting architectural details, flower beds, etc.

-          Fountains, especially if you can get the reflection of the temple or the couple in the water.

Implementing these tips is a good start to better serve your LDS clients.  One other thing to note is that LDS receptions are often less splashy affairs than what you may be used to photographing.  Generally speaking, the most important event of the day is the sacred religious experience that happened in the morning, and many simply choose not to overshadow it with a lot of hoopla that can stress out the couple and family and detract from the experience of the sealing.  Receptions serve as congratulatory events for the couple, and though every couple is different, they may not see it as a huge social affair.

I hope this article helped you learn a little about the importance and culture surrounding the wedding day, and that it helps you as you serve LDS clients.   If you have any questions or uncertainties about what is expected of you, don’t be afraid to clarify with the bride and groom.  They would rather have you ask them than not know!  Also, feel free to email me if you have further questions.

Have a great day!

It’s also a season of transition for my photography – I’m planning out new gear purchases (hooray!), registering with the government and getting all legit, etc.  This fall should be a season of great things, including a newborn shoot in Chicago.  Right now I’m also taking part in the creativeLIVE course in wedding photography with the fabulous Jasmine Star.  Listening to her story, which mirrors my own so closely it’s almost scary, is inspiring me to make this fall bigger and better than ever.  By the way – for the photographer types who might happen upon this, the course is free if you watch it live, and you get a reduced rate on downloads if you purchase before the course ends.  (Click here to check out the course).   I do spend at least an hour every day studying photography, usually 3 or more, but participating in a live seminar has catapulted my motivation to a new level.  I love what I do, I think photography is important, and I’m so excited to improve and grow to have something better to offer to the world.

By the way, if you’re interested in having a session done, please contact me.  I am taking new clients.

I can’t end a post without a picture, so I’ll share a photo that I love but will probably never have a reason to share.  This post has been a random grab-bag of thoughts anyway, so let’s round it off with a few ducks and some fish:

Yep, ducks and fish.  I snapped this with a point-and-shoot in northern Croatia, at Plitvice National Park, which is truly one of the most spellbinding places I’ve ever been.  I love this photo, with the water so Caribbean-ly clear, the ducks just hanging out, making friends with the fish.  Never thought I’d see such a thing in eastern Europe, but the world is big and full of beautiful surprises.

Have a great day.

But I digress.

One afternoon I was trying to find the shooting range to catch the girls in action, and as I walked down the path though the woods, the most gorgeous blue butterfly landed right in front of me.

I froze and whipped out my camera, figuring he (she?) would flutter away before I could turn it on.  But he stayed right there, opening and closing his wings, as if he was waiting for his picture to be taken.  He even let me get a few close-ups.  I didn’t have a macro lens, so I was right on top of him.

It was amazing!  Don’t you love the orange flecks on his wings?  I even had time to play around with a few camera settings to get a variety of shots.

Then he fluttered down the path and I thought the “photoshoot” was over, but he landed again.  I guess he wanted a location change.

After awhile he flew off into the trees.  I felt so lucky to have had the chance to take multiple photos of this little guy.  Just when I was mad at Mother Nature for creating hot, sticky, damp Illinois summers, something simple and amazing happens and I’m reminded of why I love being outside.

Sorry for the radio silence on this blog, I was rained out of two scheduled photoshoots, and I’m off to Michigan for the next two weeks.  However, I have several really great things lined up for when I get back, so stay tuned as the adventure continues.  In the meantime, I’ll see what other things happen…maybe I’ll meet more camera-loving butterflies in Ann Arbor.

The Pottery Barn catalog.

“Wait a minute, you’re a portrait photographer, and there are never people in the Pottery Barn catalog.”  Exactly.  That’s the brilliance of it.  If they showed people in the catalog, it would look like it was someone else’s home.  Instead, they stage it so that every photo looks like someone is about to walk in.  And maybe that someone will be you…

They have created a world that is both lived-in and dreamy.  The blankets are not neatly folded, there’s one draped over an armchair.  On a cream-colored couch.  Next to a large window.  With a fire going.  Just waiting for you to curl up with a book and to pull that warm blanket over you.   Everything about the scene is real, it makes it feel that it is within your grasp.  Yet it rises above the every day, and gives you something to aspire to.

That is what I try do do with my photographs.  Create images that are real, capture the person’s expressions and gestures as they make them.  Only adding a spark, a new perspective, taking it up one level.  Creating something worth hanging on your wall as art.  Real, tangible, but beautiful.

Whenever the catalog comes in the mail, I flip through it like a master poker player shuffles cards.  Trying to devour the whole thing while savoring it too.  Then I usually march into my husband’s office, thrust it at him, and inform him that we NEED the ENTIRE Chesapeake collection, and a house on a lake to go with it.  He always says “Okay.  We’ll get there.”  And I know we will.

In the meantime, my dreams are filled with French doors, rich linens, and iron candle holders.  And that blanket by the fireplace.

These next two photos were requested as part of an inside joke…I’m sure you know who you are.

A little love:

After laying out all of the pictures I stood back to look at my creation.  It was overwhelming.   I used photographs taken over just the past six months, and what an amazing six months it has been.  As a photographer stepping into a competitive industry, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the sheer distance one has to travel to be considered a competent professional, let alone an artist.  Looking at these pictures, I see how far I have to go, but I also see a lot of other things.

Newborns in their sweet first days of life – newborns that are now chubby, happy babies.

Newly-engaged love.

A couple who have been together for years, but had never had professional photos taken.

Many gorgeous, impressive women who are working hard in graduate school.

Beautiful kids enjoying childhood.

Families interacting naturally.

It is really a dream come true to be able to do this.  I’ve found something that makes me willing to sit at a computer and wrangle with color management and monitors and geek speak of all kinds, because of the happiness that emerges from it all.

Panel One:

Panel Two:

Thanks to all who have been along for the ride.  Thanks especially to my husband, who is my greatest support, and who is probably tiring of hearing the phrase “Hey honey, look at this picture…”

More good things to come – including two shoots next week.

Welcome, Jensen.  We’ve been waiting for you.

Four generations:

With mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, and great-grandma:

He and cousin Lily are the best of pals already:

We did morning family photos in the park, and then took a break for a quick lunch.  I wanted to do a full newborn session, but I had about 15 minutes before I had to leave for the airport, so this will have to do:

A lot of thoughts have been churning in my mind lately about the nature and purpose of work.  I enjoy working hard.  If I don’t have work, I invent projects for myself.  But I only realize it was work in retrospect.

Does your work feel like work?  Can you do anything about it?

Worth considering.

Picture is from San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2009.