LIZ & BRIAN // SOJOURN LAKESIDE RESORT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY // GAYLORD, MI

For years I have been thinking about what our roles are as wedding photographers and I've come to a lot of conclusions about what I feel is truly important. Somehow, the amazing folks over at We Are The Parsons (a tremendously inspiring husband and wife photography team) are writing about many of the same things that I've been thinking. There have been times when I feel like they're reading my mind - and then taking those thoughts even one step further. Ideas about letting go of a rigid "shot list" and instead allowing yourself to truly watch what is happening in front of you. Then capture that. The moments that you let unfold before you will inevitably be the most realistic. The way a dad looks at his daughter. The ring bearer's pouty face before portraits and then a complete 180 degree mood change as he RUNS down the aisle during the processional with a huge smile on his face. An offering of flowers at the beginning of the ceremony to honor those family members who are no longer physically present. Feeding your new mother-in-law a bite of your wedding cake after you cut it. Does this mean I'm never going to pose anyone ever again? Absolutely not. BUT, it helps to have this refreshing perspective about shooting. That you are doing it for a specific group of people each weekend. They are all unique. Don't follow the same "rules" every time. Liz and Brian are awesome. Their family is awesome. I hope we captured some images that could only have happened with this group. Cheers!