Kim King Smith (a local Indianapolis wedding planner) reached out to me looking for advice on hiring a photographer for her daughter’s wedding in NYC… Ummm… waaaait a seconnnnd Kim King Smith… your gorgeous redheaded blue-eyed daughter is getting married in NYC and you’re looking for a referral… UMMMM… STOPPPP RIIIIIIGHT THERE!!!!! I KNOW JUSSSST THE PERRRRRFECTO PHOTOGRAPHER!!!!

….me!

Courtney and Adam met as neighbors. From what I remember of Adam’s toast, Courtney had a crush on Adam so looking for an in… she eventually knocked on his door and asked for a bowl of sugar.

However, Courtney says she was just a midwestern girl innocently in need of sugar.

Based on what I know of Courtney, I believe Adam. 🙂 She’s not a girl who sits back and waits for life to happen to her; which is what I love about her most!

…of course it was only appropriate to photograph the ring in a bowl of sugar.

Adam, his brother Jon and his dad Michael all getting ready in a tiiiiiny hotel room with amazing light. When it comes to photography, light > decor.

Also, Meg$$$ NAILED this! Back in my BBMK days, guys seemed to be more comfortable allowing a guy photographer in the room as they got ready. Well now that we’re a two-lady show it seems that guys a little more apprehensive. Hey men, get over it!  Megan is a very happily married woman and isn’t going to be staring at your man parts! Man buns, however… different story. 😉

As many of you know, I often shoot on 8 minute timers. If things are running behind, if the weather is less than desirable, if the brides feet hurt, you get the idea. Welllll… the high that day in New York City was 29°… needless to say, I went to WORK! The Uber dropped us off on the way to the church at two different spots. Both times I set my timer. I don’t want to brag (on brand!)… but… both times I finished before my timer went off. BOOOM!

Same thing for the pre-ceremony groomsmen photos.

COURTNEY!!!! AAAARE YOUUUUU KIDDDDDDINNNNNG MEEEEEE WITH HER BEAUUUUTY???!!!

Gettin’ married time!

When Courtney, Adam, Megan and I initially started talking through their timeline, they had wanted to do a first look so that they could get photos all around NYC. Well, about a month before the day, Adam had decided that he wanted to have that open-the-doors church moment instead (which I totally get!). Welll… their ceremony was set to end 15 minutes before the sun was scheduled to go down. At the time, we suggested that as sooooon as they walk back down the aisle that the bride and groom would just keep walking out the church doors and we would shoot right in the vicinity as quickly as we could while the guests exited the church. Two things we didn’t anticipate when we made that plan: 1) unseasonably cold temps. 2) the entire block that the church was on would be covered in scaffolding. AHHHHH!!!!

So, the bride, groom, wedding party exited… “ALRIGHT FRIENDS! GET TOGETHER!” ::30 seconds later… “Looks great! Wedding party go back in.”

Then I was on 8-minute-timer mode again! Megan came rushing out to switch me a lens and said, “okay, I’m going to go back in and set up the lights for family photos.”

Freaking out a little I say, “Ummm… no you’re not, you’re going to shoot this with me right now.”

She throws the lens in her suit coat pocket and responds with a smile, “alright, let’s do this!”

Don’t let their comfortable disposition fool you… let me remind you once again… IT WAS FAREEEEZINNNNG! By this time in the evening it was 26°F. WHAAAAA??!?!

I shot this with my 35mm 1.4L.

…they take one more step and I shout to Meg$$$, “HAND ME YOUR CAMERA WITH THE 85!”

Click. Click. Click. BOOM! I give her her camera back.

Side note: shooting this photo on a suicide mission was TOTALLY worth it. 😉 Okay, that was a biiiiit dramatic but really… standing in the middle of the street while dodging cabs in downtown NYC isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

BEEP BEEP BEEP! Timer done! Courtney and Adam were serious troopers. I can’t thank you two enough for rolling with the punches that day. 😀 😀 😀

Starting a reception out surrounded by friends and family standing around you while you do your first dance, PERFECTION! Ohhhh how I love their love.

Courtney and the dads. 😀

And here’s the famous Mother of the Bride (who, as I mentioned before, is a local Indianapolis wedding planner) Kim King Smith.

Such a fun day full of really great people!

Behind the scenes

I’m hilarious, the best man Jon agrees. Oh, and watching Megan with her boss swagger haling a cab at the end of the night was in the top five best moments of my day. She was nervous to do it that morning (she never had).  To go from being nervous to being a boss… well that’s one of the mannnnny reasons I call her MegMoney!

I can’t thank you all enough for entrusting us with your memories.