I posted a super sneaker portrait last week of the wedding I got to shoot with Lauren Clark. It was a really great opportunity for me to kind of hang behind the scenes and watch someone I greatly admire run a wedding. I don’t know that it will functionally change anything about the way I do things, but there are a few really key things I learned from the experience.
1) The prime angle isn’t the only angle. Now, I already kind of knew this, because I love some of the shots Mack is able to get when I’m in the primary shooting position. But I had never really been forced to search for those interesting secondary angles. I really love the shots I was able to get, while trying to stay out of Lauren’s way! 
2) I learned I need to do this once a year. Once a year, I need to travel somewhere and second shoot with someone who I trust to run the show completely splendidly, and allow myself to have my eye refreshed with no pressure and no expectations. This was really great for me.
3) I learned some portrait tricks.
4) Most of all, I learned that I must viciously protect my sanity and my family time, so that I always love what I do as much as I do right now. If we stop loving what we do, we just plain won’t be as good at it anymore. Lauren is so brave for actively pursuing what she wants in life, even when people think she’s crazy, and she really inspired again to take control of where my business goes.
Thanks, Lauren!
Now, because I wasn’t the primary shooter at this wedding, I didn’t have any time alone with the Bride and Groom, and don’t know anything about their love story. But I CAN tell you that even as a total stranger, I felt completely welcome. Jennifer was a beautiful bride, the ceremony was lovely and intimate, and the party was so enjoyed by their guests. It was a fun wedding to watch!
Here are my favorite images from the day. Lauren has posted their blog as well, so go check her out and see what she captured!
The wedding was held at Old Glory Ranch in Wimberley, TX, and let me tell you, it was absolutely gorgeous. I’d give up one of my toes to shoot a wedding there, because all day long I saw little nooks and crannies that jumped out at me. I could probably spend a whole day there just doing portraits!
The flowers at this event were absolutely DELICIOUS.
The Chapel at Old Glory… love the color in here:
The following image is a good example of that “alternate angle” I talked about. I’d never have thought to shoot this moment from this angle had I not been trying to stay out of Lauren’s shot:
Unscripted moments like this are food for a photographer. Like TinkerBell and clapping.
Hello boys!
Green bowties… be still my heart!
Jerold’s face as he saw his bride for the first time…
After the ceremony, they flipped the room for the reception!
The little things at this wedding were wonderfully thought out… like the horse-drawn carriage & chandeliers in the trees:
… and the miniature donkeys with drinks in baskets on their backs!
My favorite of the moments I captured at the reception… a really big laugh from Jennifer during the toasts!
I’ll close with a few portraits. Lauren took the couple down to the river, and I hid in the bushes to get some alternate angles.
Lauren, thank you so much for the opportunity! You’re really an amazing talent, and it was a blessing to get to learn from you. I’m praying the best as you start your new venture in Oklahoma!
by Chelsea
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