Lara Swanson, who also runs So You’re EnGAYged with me, and I met through both being wedding photographers. And even though our friendship has grown so much since that first meeting, being able to shoot with Lara is still one of the funniest things to do. A lot of photographers have egos the size of Texas, and when your second shooting for them- you feel that. You’re second. Your just there for them to look good.

With Lara, I LOVE second shooting. I feel like were a team and we have one goal: to get kick-ass pictures of this amazing wedding. And one big thing: she trusts me. She trusted me and let me go creatively even when I just started doing weddings. Since then? It’s only become better!

So I was lucky enough to second shoot for Lara at Liz & Nick’s wedding at Hollin Hall in Alexandria, VA. With tons of etsy details and the personalities to match, it was so much fun to shoot this wedding. I cracked up when I saw their cake toppers- a bride and a knight in shining armor!

Ayana and Penee got married in Richmond, Virginia in a small park close to their house. This wedding was a long time coming! They had been together a very long time but had to delay the wedding several times due to Ayana’s cancer and medical bills. Finally, they decided there is no perfect time and contacted me. The small, intimate ceremony was a total tear jerker. I literally was trying not to sob as they exchanged vows they had written each other. I only somewhat succeeded(“must. keep. shooting.and.not.choke.on.tears.”) and was so happy to be there to shoot their ceremony.