Woody and Jillian Wedding at The Benson Hotel - BlackFire Photography

About a year ago, I met Woody, a bartender at the local Red Robin. Despite being in his twenties and not knowing me well, Woody consistently remembered my order perfectly—even after months without seeing me. I was just an average customer, so his attention to detail always amazed me.

Fast forward to 2024, and during a chat with Woody, he mentioned he was getting married in August. Although I usually don’t hand out business cards to people I don’t know well, I suggested he check out my work at BlackFire Photography if he needed a wedding photographer. A month later, he reached out, interested in discussing photography for his wedding.

I scheduled a meeting with Woody and his fiancé, Jillian, to understand their needs and expectations. I find that face-to-face meetings are the best way to build trust and distinguish myself from other photographers. After a thorough discussion, I sent them a quote with various package options.

A few months later, we finalized the details for their wedding at The Benson Hotel. With no wedding planner on site, I knew I’d need to stay adaptable, checking in throughout the evening to stay on top of the schedule.

On the wedding day, I started with the groomsmen photos outside the hotel. We kicked off with a Reservoir Dogs-style walk, inspired by their “Mad Men” references.

Next, I went up to photograph the bride and her bridesmaids. I focused on using mirrors and natural light but had to manage a few hair emergencies first. Once we got rolling, I captured shots that showcased the bride beautifully and employed Rachel Traxler’s tip of having the bridesmaids say something funny to get genuine, candid expressions.

The ceremony itself had a few hiccups, like arranging flower petals for the bride’s grandmother, but I’m good at adapting and helping out when needed. Before the ceremony started, I checked the white balance, adjusted the flash, and set my ISO, using a Nikon 50mm 1.4 lens to handle the low light effectively.

After the ceremony, I took family and wedding party photos. I recommend doing these before the ceremony if possible, as post-ceremony time often feels rushed. We had about 20 minutes, which wasn’t quite enough, but I let the couple guide the flow while offering my experience-based advice.

Finally, it was time for the dancing. I’ve learned that using slow shutter speeds and avoiding flash results in more dynamic, lively dance photos. Despite the challenging lighting, I adjusted the ISO and used post-processing to refine the images.

Back home, I realized I’d shot 4,945 images—a lot, but it ensures a good selection of shots. Many of these were from the dancing, which can be hit-or-miss. I’ll send over some teasers for Woody and Jillian to share on social media and with friends and family.

Overall, the wedding was a success, and the couple is pleased with the photos so far. I’m glad I started using CloudSpot for sharing, as it’s more efficient than meeting in person and provides an easier way for clients to share their photos.