Jenn and Casey’s wedding in Christiansburg, after the jump!

There are some unexpected benefits to being a wedding photographer.  I never dreamed when I started this that I would actually become friends with so many of my couples.  It makes sense when you consider how much time you spend with your wedding photographer, especially compared to the other vendors.  We kind of get a backstage pass – a personal, unfiltered look at you, your partner, your family, and your friends on an emotional day.  There isn’t much else like it.

So, Jenn and Casey.  OH, how I LOVE this couple.  Jenn has become a friend of mine as well as an assistant, coming along on many engagement shoots this spring.  She is learning how to shoot herself, and I think she’s doing really, really well.  I’m heartbroken that she and Casey are leaving for Pennsylvania this weekend, but I know the move will be a great experience for them both personally and professionally.

Jenn and Casey had a traditional church wedding, but their reception was in a very unique venue: Lucie Monroe’s Coffee in Christiansburg, VA.  Lucie Monroe’s just opened this winter, and it has already become a local favorite.  It has a pet theme, so there are photos of dogs everywhere and even a chessboard with little animals on it.  When Jenn told me her reception would be there, I knew I just *had* to shoot it.  I had my heart set on a ring shot with those animal chess pieces (you’ll see it below), and I knew it would be a challenge to shoot in a local restaurant.  It wasn’t as much of a challenge as I expected, though.  The light was beautiful, the decor was beautiful and interesting, the reception was a total blast, and at the end of the night I got to take home a hazelnut frappe!

Just like the last wedding post, I’m trying to be a bit more selective here on the blog.  If you’d like to see more of Jenn and Casey’s wedding, check out their Facebook album.

Jenn gets an A+ for giving her bridesmaids dresses with pockets, and for choosing a church that worked as a natural reflector.

I feel the next shot deserves a little explanation.  I do not usually like to do a lot of crazy posed shots of the bridal party unless the couple requests it.  (I actually prefer just to take a few lined up poses and then spend time capturing more candid moments.)  BUT since we had time scheduled for more extensive bridal party pictures, I figured we might as well use it.  The jumping shot has become kind of a cliche, but I sometimes throw it in just to get everyone loosened up.  In this case, I accidentally ended up with a shot I really love, not so much because the groomsmen are all jumping perfectly together, but because they are NOT.  I really love photos where everyone is doing something different, or where one person is not going along with the group, because I think they tend to show more of each person’s distinct personality.

Lucie Monroe’s turned out to be a GREAT place for a wedding reception.  (And as you’ll see below, I got the chessboard ring shot.)

Mug shot (ha!)

Jenn and Casey, I hope you love your wedding photos. And Jenn, keep practicing with that Nikon!  I can’t wait to see what you’re shooting in PA.