Rylee & Justin’s wedding day at Elizabeth Furnace felt like the dream you don’t wanna wake up from. The summer sun blazing down on us, people laughing and crying, party bumping, and all the time the sound of my cameras absolutely slapping . We chased the most golden light, took a stroll through the gardens, and in the end just let the story unfold.

Scroll slow. These frames say it better than I can. 🎞️⚡️

When it was time for the bride and groom’s first look, Rylee’s bestie came through—holding the flowers, using a fan to cool the couple down between shots, and volunteering to hold the light. Behind the scenes, she was holding it down for her friend so we could lock in the moment. Other bridesmaids and maids of honor shall aspire to be like her. Legends only. ✨

With the heat cranking, the ceremony got moved into the barn. Moody, dim, and definitely not ideal lighting conditions for photos. Curveball? Maybe. But I had my strobe from portraits ready to go, plugged it into the wall, and lit it up.

Photographers that can only shoot natural light? They would’ve been cooked. ⚡📷

Ceremony moments hit just right—framed, lit nicely, I was totally locked in. Family shots? Done before anyone broke a sweat. Heard a few people say “omg that photographer was so smooth” on the way out the barn doors.

Golden hour’s kind of a myth. It’s really just a quick 20-minute window where the light looks the most dramatic. Glad that these two were down to sneak out for a couple of minutes during dinner and make the most of it.

Back inside it was time to cut the cake and get the party started!

Midway through the night, I looked down—my camera had shapeshifted into an electric guitar! 🎸

At my feet, two glowing effects pedals: Tilt/Shift and Off-Camera Flash. The band turned to me, “Alright kid,” one of them said, “almost time for your solo. Let’s see what you’ve got.” 📸⚡

 

Look at these barn door shots I forgot to include earlier…