The Nerves of a Wedding Photographer & Videographer

The busy wedding season is over.  Just a few weddings left before our family seeks to wind down, focus on our family more and enjoy the holidays.

As our business grows, we meet more and more people, and we venture more into areas that we didn't know we would be in years ago.  Senior photos, maternity photos, and dance recitals were not on our radar when we started.

In 2001 we were focused on weddings, and today we are still primarily known as wedding photographers and videographers.  And you know what?  We are okay with that!  There is an excitement about a wedding day that you just can't duplicate.  In the beginning - our first few weddings, we were nervous - stressed out beyond belief.  Would we get the right shots?  Will they like the end result?  Will we miss something important?  Will our equipment function flawlessly?

Today we have over 200 weddings under our belts, and although the  nerves are long gone, we do still feel stress at times.  But it's only because we want so much to do the best job possible. When you shoot a wedding you ARE under pressure.  Under the pressure of expectations, both from the client and from ourselves.  Expectations of the parents and the siblings.  You're also under the pressure of time - keeping things on schedule - adapting and overcoming things that are not planned - acts of God (bad weather, other vendors not being on time, etc...)

This is where we always shine though.  We keep our focus on the couple.  They are our direction, and even when things out of their control can seem to scare them or get them nervous, we are there to calm them down, assure them that things will be okay, and that we are there for them.  This is one thing we couldn't do 15 years ago.  We are sure glad that we can today.  :)

Jim & Stephanie Wilkerson