Emily + Chris | Backyard Tennessee Wedding

The first week of 3D-Design class my freshman year of college offered me several opportunities to pee my pants... This was a crucial class for any art major, intended to weed out the flaky and break down only to strongly rebuild the dedicated. I can't remember what we were asked to share during that first class but I do remember fumbling over my words and turning red while the confident young gal across the room stood strong and articulated her opinion with ease. I wanted to know her. 

Emily was one of those crazy people that decided to double major; but even crazier because she picked two areas of study notorious for long sleepless college nights : art and nursing. One of those ridiculous people whose brain crosses the line of art and science, that possesses both a passion to create beauty and one interested in the in's and outs of how life itself is sustained. We became room mates with another dear friend our Junior year and I had the privilege of seeing firsthand how she balanced the two.

A year later Emily played Clair de lune on the piano as I walked down the aisle to my Benny and I cry every time I hear it not only for the memory but because I know she did it purely because she loved me and zero because she loved playing in front of people... And then when we skyped and she gushed over this boy named Christopher...

Knowing people is my favorite part of this job - to know the stories that have lead them to this place of uniting with another human being with an equally grace-filled journey. What an honor to photograph Emily and Chris' love. They were married during an intimate ceremony in Emily's parent's backyard in Tennessee. Thank you for sharing it with me dear friends.

Backyard Southern Wedding | Lily Glass 
Backyard Southern Wedding | Lily Glass 
Backyard Southern Wedding | Lily Glass 
Backyard Southern Wedding | Lily Glass 
Backyard Southern Wedding | Lily Glass 
Backyard Southern Wedding | Lily Glass 
Backyard Southern Wedding | Lily Glass 
Backyard Southern Wedding | Lily Glass 
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography
Southern Backyard Wedding | Lily Glass Photography

Fujifilm shot with Canon 1v processed by Richard Photo Lab

Wedding Photography | Tips for Starting Out

Welcome to the wedding industry, friend. It can be an intimidating market to jump into especially when brides are on the hunt for a bargain and always have an "Uncle Bob with a nice camera" in their back pocket. And so I offer you six things, in no particular order, that you can do to set yourself apart as a wedding professional even if it's your first season in the industry :

Wedding Photography | Tips for Starting Out

Second Shoot | Seek out photographers whose work you admire and inquire about second shooting for them. There's no better experience than tagging along with someone who knows what they're doing -- see firsthand how they give direction, anticipate emotion and handle the stress of a fast-paced wedding day. Most established photographers can pay you for your time; confirm that you can use your images to build your portfolio. If a second photographer isn't something they need, offer to lug around their bag or hold a reflector at an engagement session just for the chance to observe.

Get a Real Email Address | Would you be more inclined to invest in susie@susiephotography.com or suisetakespics@gmail.com? No further explanation needed.

Rent Equipment | Selling yourself as a professional means having professional-grade equipment but rather than using your life-savings to purchase all the newest gear, shop around for the best rental options near you. I use Midwest Photo Exchange for local events and Camera Lens Rentals for out-of-town gigs.

Wedding Photography | Tips for Starting Out

Create a Timeline | As a professional it's your job to work with the couple and/or their wedding planner to establish a day-of schedule that allows ample time for well-lit photographs. I send sample schedules to my clients as soon as they book and then meet with them one month prior to iron out a timeline that includes a fair amount of cushion time in-case any portion of the day runs behind.

Shot List | I get butterflies in my belly just thinking of the nerves I felt when I shot my first solo wedding -- and heavens knows they were there for good reason! It's a priceless day and two very excited people have paid you a lot of money to be 100% alert as you capture every last detail. Be proactive and carry with you a list of detail and group shots, checking it throughout the day to avoid sitting straight up in bed at 2am when you realize you forgot to grab a picture of the rings.

Wedding Photography | Tips for Starting Out

Styled Shoots | This is a wonderful way to connect with other wedding vendors -- contact a florist or a wedding planner and offer to buy them coffee as you discuss a few theme or location ideas. Be careful to pursue vendors with a similar style or the aesthetic you'd like to achieve so your work complements one another. Styled shoots are a labor of love; be sure to make all final images available to each participant for their own promotional use.

Wedding Photography | Tips for Starting Out

and best of luck.
Xo

Lauren + Ben | Northbank Park Wedding

Lauren + Ben's First Look took place at a small park just down the street from their house -- how special to regularly pass the place where you first saw each other on your wedding day! We had a great time strolling through German Village before their ceremony at Northbank Park where guests witnessed a beautiful wedding and then danced and sang (karaoke!) and ran through the fountains (little ones and dads alike) -- all night long with a full moon over the Scioto River.

Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding
Lily Glass Photography Columbus, Ohio Northbank Park Wedding

Thank you for allowing me to celebrate with you two, Lauren + Ben. Here's to remembering how warm you were in August during these frigid days. xo

Ceremony + Reception | Northbank Park
Wedding Coordinator | Jennifer Drew, Something to Remember Events
Stylist | Erica Vitori
Catering | Shane's Gourmet
DJ | Buckeye Entertainment
Florist | Bloomtastic