There is something crazy special about getting to document your best friend’s engagement photos. Kody and Brent have been in my life since I was 13, so getting asked to not only photograph their engagement photos, but also their wedding, was such an incredible honor! Not going to lie, being “that wedding photographer” in my friend group has been pretty difficult. I usually miss out of every single weekend get together, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and every other thing you can think of. This is because life for most people happens on the weekend, and well, as you may have guessed- I work EVERY weekend. I know I have control over my own schedule, and life, but when it comes to being able to afford to live, and actually living- it’s like being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

So with all of that, I have always told my friends that they definitely don’t have to use me as a wedding photographer, and they definitely don’t have to have me IN their weddings, because regardless I will be there. I will show up for them on their wedding day, and I will be there if they every need anything in life. But with Kody and Brent- I guess I would consider myself “getting lucky,” because I get to be there for them on the best day of their life doing the best possible thing that I can do, which is to document their day.

I try my hardest not be too “known” in a room when documenting a wedding, so that people truly are able to be themselves without feeling the pressure of the camera. Removing myself from a room full of people I love so very much is probably going to be extremely challenging, but I can’t wait to be the fly on the wall and document it the most truth telling way. I get to see it all man. I get to see my best friend marry the love of her life, be invited into their personal space, and create images that live and outlive this life. What a freaking honor that is!

Until next time,

Stephanie