I wont lie, moving to a new town and starting your business up from scratch is not an easy process. It’s full of self doubt, hard work, and tons of networking! Luckily I am a social butterfly so networking hasn’t been terribly hard. In fact, it’s been one of the highlights of my journey here thus far. I’ve met some incredible photographers and wedding vendors!  One of those said photographers is Melinda of Melinda Jean Photography. We met at a get together last December and instantly connected. She’s immensely sweet and it reflects in her photography. So when she booked a wedding that needed a 2nd photographer she asked if I was free. Of course I jumped at the chance to 2nd shoot. In the 6 (almost 7 eeeee!) years that I’ve done weddings I’ve only 2nd shot a handful of times. I went from learning to full out head shooter very quickly in my career, so not having to be the main person at a wedding was pretty cool. Melinda also asked if I could shoot some video while I was there and of course I can’t do anything half way *cough* perfectionist *cough* so I shot the entire day in video as well as photo. I probably won’t be doing that again. As fun as it was to shoot, I prefer photography on a wedding day. It’s just my thing. To all of you wedding videographers/cinematographers out there I REALLY appreciate what you do now! It’s a whole other skill set that doesn’t come very naturally. I do hope to learn more in the future just to enhance my other video endeavors, but I wont be adding wedding cinematography to my pricing list. Sorry guys.

The other interesting part of the whole 2nd shooting thing is that I didn’t know Chris & Rebecca going into their day. It’s very odd just popping in on a couples big day “Oooooh hey! You don’t know me but I’m in your face!”  I probably terrified Chris & Rebecca with my crazy personality, I can only hope they’re not scarred for life! 😉 Otherwise, their day was so incredibly sweet. Melinda was their perfect pick for a photographer! It  helped me see the meaning behind “there’s a photographer for everyone.” It’s true guys, there is a perfect photographer out there for you. Someone who not only will take gorgeous pictures of your day, but who just “gets you.” That way, when your day arrives you have a friend shooting your day and not a random stranger. I also can’t stress enough the importance of meeting your photographer a head of time. That personal connection is ÜBER important! Take the time to find the right vendors, meet them, get comfy, and your day will be so much better for it! Ok let me get off my little soap box now. I can’t thank Melinda, Rebecca, & Chris enough for allowing me to be part of that special day. It was  fun just being creative with out the added pressures of being the lead as well as discovering new venues & vendors like Finch Chapel & the O. Henry Hotel. Please enjoy their wedding video and a few shots I got from the day. Thank you again to Melinda, you’re amazing! 🙂

XOXOXO,
Mabyn
P.S. Check out Melinda’s work here!

Chris & Rebecca’s Love Story

Melinda getting doin’ her thang!