Why I Love Photographing Weddings (And My Favorite Moments!) Salt Lake City
Why I Love Photographing Weddings (And My Favorite Moments!)
There’s something truly magical about weddings—the emotions, the details, the once-in-a-lifetime moments that unfold in front of my lens. As a wedding photographer, I have the honor of capturing one of the most important days in a couple’s life, preserving their love story in a way that will be cherished for generations.
Wedding photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about storytelling. It’s about freezing those fleeting, emotional, joy-filled moments so they can be relived over and over again. I love the rush of a wedding day, the energy, the raw emotion, and the quiet, in-between moments that often go unnoticed. There are so many reasons I love photographing weddings, but here are a few that make my heart race every time I pick up my camera.
The Energy of a Wedding Day
Every wedding has a unique energy, a blend of excitement, anticipation, and love that fills the air. From the moment I arrive, there’s a buzz of activity—bridesmaids laughing as they get their hair done, the groom nervously adjusting his tie, family members exchanging warm hugs after traveling from near and far.
I thrive in this energy. There’s something so special about stepping into this world for a day, immersing myself in the emotions, and capturing it all as it unfolds. No two weddings are ever the same, which keeps my work fresh and exciting. I never get tired of hearing each couple’s love story and seeing how their personalities shine through in their wedding details.
The Emotional Moments That Take My Breath Away
One of the reasons I love photographing weddings is the incredible range of emotions that unfold throughout the day. Weddings are filled with moments that make your heart swell—tears of joy, bursts of laughter, and the quiet, intimate glances between two people deeply in love.
Here are some of my favorite emotional moments to capture:
The First Look
Whether it's a private first look between the couple or the moment the groom sees his bride walking down the aisle, this is always one of the most emotional parts of the day. The anticipation, the tears, the overwhelming love—it’s pure magic. Some couples choose to keep it traditional and wait for the ceremony, while others opt for a private moment before walking down the aisle. Either way, it’s always beautiful.
The Exchange of Vows
No matter how many weddings I photograph, the vows always get me. Whether they’re traditional or handwritten, there’s something incredibly moving about hearing two people promise forever to each other. I love capturing the raw emotions on their faces—the tears, the nervous smiles, the overwhelming love.
The Parent Reactions
As a mom myself, I have such a soft spot for the parents on a wedding day. Whether it’s a father seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time or a mother adjusting her son’s boutonniere with teary eyes, these little moments between parents and their children get me every time.
The Grandparent Moments
There’s something so special about capturing generations of love. Whether it’s a sweet hug from a grandparent, a loving gaze during the ceremony, or a slow dance at the reception, these are the moments that become family treasures.
The Beauty of Storytelling Through Photos
Weddings are full of stories, and as a photographer, I get to tell them through my lens. There’s the story of the couple—their journey, their love, their future together—but there are also the untold stories woven throughout the day. The childhood best friends reuniting, the generations of love in one room, the behind-the-scenes moments that no one else notices.
I strive to capture not just the big, obvious moments, but the small ones too:
The flower girl twirling in her dress, completely unaware of how adorable she looks.
The groom squeezing his bride’s hand as they sit at the head table, lost in their own little world.
The bride taking a deep breath before walking down the aisle, steadying herself for the moment she’s been dreaming of.
These little moments may not seem like much at the time, but years later, they become the most precious memories.
The Art of Capturing Beauty
There’s something deeply rewarding about capturing the beauty of a wedding day—not just the stunning details, but the beauty of love itself. The way the light falls on a bride’s veil, the golden sunset during portraits, the intricate lace of a wedding dress—it’s all art to me.
I love working with light, movement, and composition to create images that feel timeless and full of emotion. Weddings allow me to be both a documentary photographer and an artist, blending storytelling with creativity to craft something truly special.
The Dance Floor & The Celebration
After an emotional day, I love when the reception kicks off and everyone lets loose. The dance floor is always one of my favorite parts of a wedding. The joy is contagious—grandparents waltzing, little kids twirling, bridesmaids belting out their favorite songs, and the newlyweds completely lost in the moment.
There’s nothing quite like capturing a couple surrounded by their loved ones, dancing, laughing, and celebrating the start of their new life together. These candid, unscripted moments are some of the most genuine and fun to photograph.
The Lasting Impact of Wedding Photos
One of the most rewarding parts of being a wedding photographer is knowing that the images I capture will become part of a family’s legacy. These aren’t just photos for social media or a wedding album—they’re heirlooms. They’ll be looked at on anniversaries, shared with children and grandchildren, and cherished for decades to come.
I always think about the moment, years down the road, when a couple will sit together and flip through their wedding album. They’ll remember the way they felt that day, the people who surrounded them, and the love they promised to each other. It’s an incredible honor to be the one preserving those memories.
Final Thoughts: Why I’ll Never Stop Loving This Job
Being a wedding photographer is more than a job—it’s a passion. It’s about capturing love in its purest form and creating something that will last forever. It’s about being part of one of the happiest days of someone’s life and giving them the gift of memories they can hold onto forever.
Every wedding reminds me why I fell in love with photography in the first place—the emotions, the beauty, the fleeting moments that become lifelong treasures. And as long as couples keep saying “I do,” I’ll be there, camera in hand, ready to capture every beautiful, messy, emotional, joy-filled second of it.
Here’s to love, laughter, and the incredible privilege of being a wedding photographer. 💛