As with any wedding, there are always memorable moments and milestones throughout the day, and Steph and Jon’s wedding was no different. However, their wedding is and always will be special to me for many reasons. Not only are they just a fantastic and adorable couple, but Jon has been a friend and photography mentor to me since the first day I picked up a DSLR camera. He is an amazing photographer and lighting artist. If you will, picture me pestering Jon for his opinion on pictures I took my first year of photography. Picture me pestering Jon about flash photography, using strobes, different camera settings, and anything else in between. Then picture a mentor eager to share knowledge, eager to listen, encouraging, and always willing to offer advice with a smile. That is the type of person Jon is. Steph is equally just as nice and a pleasure to be around. It’s quite easy to see why these two are madly in love.
Steph and Jon’s wedding was my 20th wedding. Two years ago that number seemed very distant to me and to have my 20th wedding milestone be for a friend and mentor made it even more special. Jon and Steph originally planned for a golf coast sunset beach side wedding. Jon and I collaborated often about the photography aspect of their wedding quite often. We talked about sun angles, sunset timetables, timing of the day that would allow for the best scenario in photography. Instead, a storm blew in that produced 47 MPH wind gusts on the beach that seriously chilled the air and lasted the entire day. Jon, hoping that the winds would settle down and become tolerable, waited until the last possible second to make the call that ultimately would send the wedding indoors into a ballroom. The Sheraton hotel staff handled the situation like pro’s and transformed a ordinary ballroom into a wedding ready ceremony location complete with an isle filled with rose pedals and lit by candle lanterns.
Jon and Steph braved the cold strong winds for a few pictures outside with family and a few portraits of just them while the sun was setting, then finished the night with a lot of dancing surrounded with loving family and friends. Congrats Jon and Steph. Your wedding day will always be special to me.
And of course, one of Jon’s groomsman was also a photographer who does fantastic work…..so I handed over the camera for a shot of me with the awesome couple. Thanks to Lee for the great shot, and thanks Jon and Steph for allowing me the honor of being part of your very special day.
