2019 Behind the Scenes of Abby Shepard Photography Weddings

featured, Personal, Weddings

December 25, 2019

As a wedding photographer, I do wayyyy more than just take pretty photos on a wedding day. I style details, keep everyone on time, set up photos like first looks and sparkler exits, manage family photos, direct portraits, fluff dresses, hold bouquets, coordinate with other vendors, drive golf carts….just to name a few. And I love every part of it!

This blog post will take you behind the scenes of what it really looks like to be a wedding photographer, and what it looks like to work with me! I’m showing you the good, the weird, and awkward. Enjoy!

Before the wedding day even starts, the night before I charge all my batteries and get all my gear ready. Including my cat. Don’t worry. She doesn’t actually come with me to weddings.

On a wedding day, I start by photographing the details, which includes invitations, dresses, rings, etc. This often involves completely taking over sidewalks…

Or hanging dresses on walls and gazebos. You bet I’ll find the best places to hang dresses and style details!

After detail photos, it’s time to photograph everyone getting ready. I have been known to squat, kneel, and squeeze into awkward positions to get the shots.

Then it might be time to set up the First Look! I’ll make sure you both get to the perfect spot without seeing each other.

Sometimes we use corners of buildings, and sometimes we just use an open forest. I may pretend to be the bride to test the location and light.

Next up is portraits! I love portraits. Gotta get those creative angles.

We may take photos on the beach, in the road, or on a boardwalk.

Wherever we are, you bet portraits are fun.

Throughout the day, you may find me carrying lots of things…

Befriending dogs….

Or riding on the front loader of a tractor to get an aerial shot of the venue.

I’m also there to help you carry your bouquet or brush off your suit coat.

Before the ceremony starts, I scout out the area to decide where the best angles will be. I also get some photos of just the ceremony setup.

On occasion, I have been known to have my second shooter pretend to be the bride and groom so I can test the lighting. (Thanks Shannon!)

During the cermeony, I get up close and I’m ready to capture all of the moments from the best angles.

After the ceremony, I direct family photos so that they are fast and fun! Here are a few photos of me setting up a photo with every single person who attended the wedding plus a boat in the Delaware Bay!

After family photos, it’s usually time for bride+groom portraits at sunset.

Bride + Groom Sunset portraits is one of my favorite times of the day because the bride and groom are finally married, they’re happy, and it’s a time for us to take really beautiful photos of just the two of them together.

Did you know I can expertly drive a golf cart? Sometimes venues let us borrow golf carts to drive to different cool photo locations!

Did I mention that I’m also great at positioning veils for awesome photos?

Sometimes my second shooters throw the veil for photos like these!

Now on to the reception! I love entrances, first dances, and parent dances.

I get really excited for food. Especially cake.

My face when I see cake….

And you may (ok definitely) catch me dancing at the reception throughout the night!

This group pretended to hold a mic to me so I could sing with them!

Upon request, I may take selfies with wedding guests.

I can entertain kids with my flashes. The diffusers are a very popular attraction.

I am a pro at setting up and photographing an epic sparkler exit!

But my favorite part, is getting to know all of you-the wonderful couples and families I have the honor of working with! Thank you all so much for trusting me to capture some of the most important times of your lives.

And a special shout out to all of my amazing second shooters (and videographer friends) this year. Thank you for capturing more moments than I could alone, holding my things, helping me to hang dresses, taking most of the photos in this blog post, and offering moral support and encouragement throughout the days. You all rock!