Keri Baker Photography: Staci & Zach {a northeast indiana wedding}

I don't enjoy photographing events. I feel awkward, I never know exactly what to capture, I feel like I'm in the way, I'm afraid I'm annoying the guests, the list goes on. But you can see in my list, everything revolves around "ME".

I am learning the key to photographing an event (or anything, really) is to take the "ME" out of it. I want my work to be centered around the one or ones who are trusting me to document their milestone...whether it be a party, a dinner, a non-profit event, or just a time to update the family pictures.

If I am focusing on the ones I'm serving, I don't have time to worry about me or my feelings. Which is good because, in these moments, my feelings are not important! If I am only thinking about the ways in which I can document whatever event it is I'm photographing, if I am only focusing on what would most bless my client, there is no time for "ME".

This revelation started to sink in during Staci & Zach's wedding day. I had sworn off weddings, because of my feelings about events. But in ONE WEEK I had SEVEN brides ask me for details on my wedding photography. SEVEN. I turned away SEVEN potential brides who I could have met, spent time with, became friends with, and eventually documented their special day.

"Ok, time to rethink weddings." I said to myself. Any photographer knows, however, it's impossible to serve a bride in the best possible way if you have no idea what you're doing. A wedding is not something I'm willing to just "wing it" and hope for the best. A wedding is a big deal and you get one shot at getting it right. So where in the world do I start??

I sent messages to two extremely talented and established wedding photographers in my area, whose work I admire and adore. They both graciously responded and agreed to allow me to shadow them, or, "second shoot" a wedding with them. (For non-photographers...to "second shoot" means you are not the main photographer, you are simply there to assist and supplement the main photographer's work.)

My first wedding (and only wedding as of right now!) was Staci & Zach's. I was second shooting for Hannah Arnold with Visions Photography. She does amazing work...you should definitely click that link and check her out!

I learned more than I can adequately express in this post. AND I had so much fun! Hannah was extremely patient with me, she never got annoyed with my questions and she was very gracious if I messed up or got in her shot. As second shooter, my focus shifted to the bride and groom, because the pressure of being the only one responsible for catching everything was removed. My only goal was to come up with all the ways I could get them as many quality photos as possible.

Since then, I have been pondering this. I need to have this approach on every single session. I need to ditch the fear and insecurity and move forward, thinking only of my client. Because my client is the only one who matters during any session or shoot.

So will I do weddings? Honestly, I still haven't decided. BUT...I know I could do them and do them well. I know there will be growth, as in all fields of my work. And I know that the bride and groom and their desires and dreams come before anything else.

Here are some of my favorite shots I captured of that sweet bride and groom.