The other side

So, I truly love photography. I love looking at the art that other photographers create. Yet I have rarely stepped in front of the camera. The only 2 times I have done so with a professional had excellent outcomes. Jeremiah at Stone Blue Productions did an amazing job at my wedding and inspired me to take my hobby to the next level with his work. We also worked with Kellan Studios way early in the beginning of their career. These are 2 of the many outstanding Lynchburg studios and I highly recommend them and continue to be inspired by them to do better and work harder.

Since then, I have stepped into the professional photography world without having gotten in front of the camera again. That changed this weekend. An impromptu stop on the side of the road with the equipment we happened to have with us was quite a blast. What a great reminder to the people for me that I work with  are brave, relaxed and comfortable to pose for portraits staring down the lens of a Nikon d700 with me on the other side. This was especially evident when I got out of the car in a downpour and got almost as soaked as Amy did during her trash the dress session in the lake. It was such a valuable (and wet) experience. I really needed the reminder for the many photo shoots I have coming up in the not too distant future. A busy late summer/ early fall awaits and this was what I needed to set my eyes on the target.

I learned 3 lessons last weekend:
1. Get back in front of the camera when I can.
2. Be spontaneous.
3. Everyone should get completely drenched at least once, preferably while being photographed :)

Below are a few of the images shot by my wife, assistant and second photographer, Melissa, who like me is no longer producing photographic images simply as a hobby. She too is very talented, as you will see below.