Six plus weeks ago...

.....these two got hitched, and I was honored to take pictures of their special day. 

What they didn't know, is that for now - I'm calling this my last wedding shoot. I've been taking pictures at friends and families weddings for over 25 years. I have taken photos of my friends weddings, and now I'm taking pictures at their daughters. 

Time flies.

25 years ago I used to take pictures with film. Remember that?  My average was 6-8 rolls. I'd shoot a wedding, get them developed, and send them off. I'd be done. 

With digital, the workload has increased. It takes me six weeks to process a wedding, and the hours spent processing, tweeking, going through picture by picture - those hours far exceed those spent at the wedding itself. 

The problem is - I don't have those hours anymore. I don't charge enough to come up with those hours, and I'm not interested in charging any more than I do. I also don't have the luxury of knowing what my schedule is week to week, as my husband's schedule changes daily. Now with my only in-house babysitter also working, the stress of trying to plan anything for a Saturday has increased. 

It's been a fun 25 plus years, and I'm not saying I'll never do another one, but I'm saying that if you were to call me today - I'd say no. But then I'd add - if you really really can't find anyone else (and you promise me that you tried) and you're in a pinch, then call me again. But first I'd say no. 

But I loved doing Paige's wedding. I watched Paige grow up - having been good friends with her mother during my teenage years, and then watching Paige walk the halls of the same elementary school that my kid's go to. She'd peek out of her line of classmates and give me a little wave. 

Time flies. 

 

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As for today?

Mark's second day of preschool
I have to make a big stab at fighting through the piles over here
chicken something for dinner
and I have it on good authority that there just might be hot air balloons in the sky tonight

be good! 

Comments

[Mom]

Love the pictures, but I have to admit -- I was sort of thinking it would be fun to see a picture of the first wedding you shot.

[Sharyn]

I'd have to dig out my negatives

[Megan]

I forgot to tell you, when I was down there and driving towards Novi, I saw three balloons in the air over the freeway. My first thought was COOL! Then my second was to look and see if one was "your" balloon. It wasn't, but I thought of you. :)

[Vt]

You're such a lovely bride.