The Circle is Complete

I got married in 2005.  I know.  Shockingly surprising...but I did.  At a restaurant, no less.  I actually had not one, but two receptions.  Even after 6 years, I still haven't figured that one out.  The 3.8 people that read this who know me will think this is mildly entertaining, but understand why.  I'm getting to why this is important...just bear with me.  At the time, we wanted to splurge for our wedding photography, because we thought that if you're going to have one thing that you can physically document and keep, it should be be timeless, right?  So spend the money where it counts.  To us, that was photography.  We didn't need a $4000 wedding cake, and my wife spent WAY less than that on her dress.  And trust me, you're not going to eat that leftover cake slice on your one year anniversary anyway.  You'll take one look at it and think, I'd rather punch myself in the face.  With a shovel.  Twice.  Please note that these photos are NOT mine.    

After careful weeding out of the photographers we didn't want, we hired the best one for the job.  Soon after the wedding, we got our prints back.  This was a moment of shock and awe for me.  I was taken aback by the quality and the moments that our photographer captured in a photojournalistic style.  

Ever since then, I made it my mission to someday be THAT good.  To be the one that captures those moments.  To be the one that provided people with that same shock and awe that I felt when I first opened our print book.  I'm on that road still.  I may be traveling by horse and buggy, but I'm moving forward nonetheless.

A week or two ago, I was asked by my good friend Kiely to be her assistant photographer at a wedding this weekend in Indianapolis.  After careful consideration, I accepted it.  We're going.  She's taking me under her wing so I can learn.  At a wedding.  Where it all began.     

Piece of Cake, Right?

I have a completely new respect for photographers these days.  Last week, a gentleman in our department at work was retiring.  Over the last few weeks, people began planning party for him.  As time went on, a co-worker noticed I had a decent camera, and asked if I would be interested in shooting the party.  I responded, with absolutely!  Sure!  While thinking, holy crap, what did I just step in to?  The dog lover in me lifted my foot to my nose to double-check.  Nothing there.  Jon, what the hell are you thinking?  You're not a photographer.  Oh, shut up...it'll be a piece of cake.  


Almost immediately, I sunk myself in Google and photography books.  I think I was reading with one hand and typing Kiely with the other.  Thank you for the tips Kiely!  


As a result, my perspective on photography has changed.  You have to approach the meanderings of the event, whatever it may be, with a different set of eyes.  A different angle.  For instance, there were several speeches given.  During those times, most people's eyes would be on the speaker.  Not mine.  I was looking at the recipient's reaction to those spoken words to get the shot.  I feel like in some ways I missed parts of it because I was trying to so hard to capture it all.  Being responsible for someone's memories is tough.  And this was just a retirement party.  A wedding?  Senior pictures?  Those are the things that only happen a few times in someone's life.  No pressure or anything, I can do this.  


Ironically enough, my favorite photo among the 120+ photos I took, ended up being of a slice of cake.  I probably shouldn't post pictures of all the photos I took because most of them have the 56,786 people who attended, whom I don't have permission from to do so.  I don't know where it goes from here and if I have the ability to the learn the profession at that level.  But I know one thing for sure - My father asked me over the weekend, so after all that, would you do it again?


In a heartbeat.