March 19, 2026

I am so excited to share the story of my first wedding photography gig. I harp on it, I know, but in everything we do, we have opportunities to learn about ourselves and grow as people. Life lesson, incoming.

This blog post is a long one.

Let me start with how I’ve always understood myself as an artist. I’m known for trying every crafty hobby I can find. I love trying new things, and I’m always proud of whatever I make, no matter my skill level. For a long time, I held this idea of what an artist was, and I didn’t think it applied to me. I used to think “artist” meant someone who could draw a lifelike portrait by hand. I don’t know a less silly way to say it, but I was limiting the word to people who draw or paint, and I didn’t realize that crafting is an art too. Being crafty was my way of creating. I enjoy making things, showing my own vision of the world, and I’m finally getting more comfortable calling myself an artist in that way.

A couple years ago, I picked up photography as my newest hobby, and it has stuck longer than most. I genuinely enjoy taking pictures. I’ve found a way to combine it with my love of learning by joining photography forums and reading advice from established photographers. I’ve learned different rules and techniques, plus some editing tips. I also love taking my camera on adventures with my husband and making photo memories, or taking home a picture of a cool bird we see along the way.

Photography feels like such a universal hobby because it fits into everything else. It lets you capture everyday moments. I’ve gotten plenty of practice and have been really happy with my photos. More recently, I’ve even been able to turn it into a small, very beginner-friendly side gig.
Several months ago, a couple reached out to me on an ad I posted for family photo sessions and asked if I did wedding photography.

Important note: photographers sometimes try for years to get their first wedding. I’ve learned this from the forums. It’s not easy to get that first one, and usually it’s a friend or family member’s small gathering that you volunteer to photograph just to get something wedding-related in your portfolio.

I told them I had never done a wedding before and that I’d be happy to do it if they didn’t find someone more experienced. They only get one wedding day, and I didn’t want to make a beginner mistake that left them with poor photos of such a special day. I was really surprised when they messaged again asking if I was still willing. I doubled down on my inexperience, and they still said they’d be happy to have me there.

Seriously, wow.

These two strangers gave me the chance to add a wedding to my portfolio. I was so excited and so nervous leading up to the event. I messaged them a few more times before the big day to remind them that I had never photographed a wedding before, which is not the best way to present yourself, but I didn’t want to mislead them. Every time, they thanked me for my time and said they were happy to have me.

My photography research changed from general tips to wedding etiquette and what to expect as a first-time wedding photographer.

A couple of the most important things I learned were to always have backup photos in case something happens to your memory card or camera, and that your first wedding is one situation where you truly can’t take too many pictures. Usually you want quality over quantity, but for your first wedding, the more photos you take, the more likely you are to have great shots to offer. You don’t want to miss a candid moment from their day.

I made sure to cover all the basics. I even bought my husband a camera and asked him to second shoot for me. He spent time learning the camera, and we practiced together. We watched wedding ceremonies on YouTube to figure out where we should stand so we could capture everything. That meme of Charlie Day with all the sticky notes on the bulletin board… that was us, planning how we’d move through the ceremony. When the day came, we hit the road feeling confident that at the very least, we had done our homework. We talked strategy the whole way there.

I can make this part short because it isn’t my story to tell. We arrived, met everyone, and photographed a beautiful wedding.

On the way home, we had an hour-long drive to debrief, not just about the day but about how all our preparation lined up with what actually happened. No two ceremonies are the same, so even with all the prep, the layout was still a surprise until we got there. We flipped through our cameras, pointing out the photos we were most excited to see on a bigger screen. I’m so thankful my husband was with me because his presence always gives me peace. And honestly, aside from certain angles we each knew we took, it was hard to tell our photos apart once they were in one gallery. He took it seriously and got some great shots, especially considering I threw him into the hobby a couple weeks before with a crash course from my very novice perspective.

Even though I’ve taken many photos, this was the first time I felt like a real photographer. My confidence grew so much when I heard that they liked the photos. I don’t know if they realize how much energy went into preparing for their wedding, but knowing they were happy made me genuinely proud of my work. It helped me feel confident calling my photography art.

That is the lengthy short version of my first time photographing a wedding, and as promised, here are a few lessons.

1. Give people a chance. They could have hired someone more experienced with better equipment, but they chose me. They helped me grow. If I ever get the chance to offer someone an opportunity to level up their skills or build their portfolio, I will.

2. Give people grace, including yourself. Everyone is learning, and everyone is at a different experience level. I don’t just mean photography. I mean school, work, your bowling league, anywhere you’re collaborating with others. Offer advice when you can and be open to learning when you can.

3. Preparation affects confidence more than you realize. Do some homework before your metaphorical first wedding, and you’ll be amazed at how much more confident you feel. It reminds me of something my dad told me over a decade ago when I was nervous about a public speaking final. I was afraid I’d freeze or forget what to say. I’ve thought about his words many times since. He told me, “Talk about something you know. You’re smart if you know your topic, you’ll talk about it just fine.” I thought about that while preparing for this wedding too. Learn your topic well, and you’ll do fine.

Below are some photos from the wedding, and you can see more of my portfolio by clicking HERE.