First Wedding Photo As A Professional Wedding Photographer

My first wedding as a professional wedding photographer took place in June 2007 in Portland, Indiana. As I was just starting my photography business in Dayton, I listed my services on Craigslist. Julie was the first person to take a chance on me, and I am grateful for that. I did not charge her to photograph her wedding. I traded my services for her willingness to go with an unkown.

Portland is a northeast Indiana farm town, the kind with one long road through it. The two-hour drive from my home was not at all filled with nerves. For most photographers, it might have been. My wife came to the first few weddings with me including this one. I was unprepared for this wedding. No backup equipment, since memory card, etc. Everything worked out, however.

My Very First Wedding

We gathered my very limited gear and made our way into the old church. Looking back, I cringe because I didn’t have a backup camera, the most basic must-have. We didn’t see anyone anywhere, so we entered the sanctuary to set up. It was an octagonal sanctuary with white walls and a bright red carpet. Little did I know, I’d be photographing many more weddings in churches with bright red carpets like this.

I clearly remember thinking “What the hell am I doing here?”

The childcare center doubled as a makeshift wedding suite. I walked in, introduced myself to the bride and bridesmaids, and took my very first wedding day picture. This was June 2007. Since that very first photo, I have never once been nervous or anxious before or during a wedding. It made me feel like “I can do this” and “I am meant to do this.” The photo below, my first, is of Julie sitting behind a door, looking in the mirror, and putting on her makeup.

When I look at this photo today, I am still about 90% proud of it. The bride is mostly in focus and appropriately lit. What I don’t like about this photo is the harsh shadow falling off of her right hand. It isn’t a big deal and wasn’t the best photo from the day. All that matters is I captured the moments before the wedding ceremony. The remainder of the wedding photos were adequate. I delivered everything on time as per the contract. She was happy with her images, and I had one wedding under my belt.

I will forever be grateful to my first wedding couple for choosing me and for giving me the confidence to do what I do.