06/19/2026
Angela and Liane recently celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary, and I found myself revisiting their photos. This wedding holds a special place in my heart. Angie and I grew up side by side. Her siblings were like family to me, just as mine were to her. Our parents had known each other since school and stayed close over the years, so it always felt natural that Angie and her sisters became like my sisters. 🥹🫶🏻
Even though I had been in the wedding photography industry for 3 years, this was my first ever wedding shot under my name. Angie and her wife, Liane, trusted me to capture such a pivotal moment in their lives, and I will always be grateful for that. I was the lead photographer, with my trusted colleague and longtime friend, Mackenzie, by my side as my second shooter. It was equal parts nerve-wracking and exciting. I went in with just one camera— my reliable Canon Rebel T3i with its 18–55mm kit lens, and a budget on-camera flash I picked up on Amazon. That flash overheated more than once, including during key moments like the cake cutting. 🫣 I definitely wouldn’t have called myself a professional at the time, but it’s a reminder that everyone starts somewhere. Gear can make things easier, sure, but it shouldn’t be the reason you hold yourself back. 🤍
I come back to this wedding every so often. Recently, I re-edited a few photos, applying what I’ve learned over the years about color and refinement. There’s something valuable about revisiting your old work and seeing how far you’ve come. And that’s something to be proud of, always.
Like Liane’s tattoo says: “greatness from small beginnings.”✨
