I got my first taste of the wedding-photography-experience second shooting for Honey Stetson-Photographer. She came in to one of my photography classes in school and presented her journey from photo student to successful Wedding Photographer, while we all ooh-ed and aah-ed over the fact that here was a real working photographer in our midst. I had not really contemplated wedding photography before, choosing instead to focus on portrait sessions, but found myself interested in her open call to potentially fill a 2nd shooter position. My teacher kept telling us to break out of our comfort zones and try new things... I figured I could learn a few things from someone like Honey. Over the last couple years, I have done that and then some. I've gone from second shooting and assisting to associate shooting to booking my own weddings. It's been a fantastic way to gain real-life experience.
So, when Honey asked if I would shoot an engagement session for her clients, I didn't hesitate. I had never met Kim & Morty before, but after exchanging several emails with Kim, her enthusiasm had me giddy over meeting such a fun couple in a beautiful location like Del Mar (right on the beach - gorgeous light!). We met in a Starbucks, which far from being a random meeting place, turned out to be the location they first met, 10 years ago, as barista coworkers. Although the time wasn't right for a relationship to evolve, they kept in touch over the years and their friendship eventually turned into something much more.
One of my favorite things to do when photographing an engagement session is to watch the couple interact. In this, Kim & Morty did not let me down. As I watched Kim look at Morty, I could tell that she thinks he is the funniest, smartest, most capable man alive. And watching Morty look at Kim was to see the absolute adoration he has for her. In some ways they seem like opposites, but not in a square peg-round hole kind of way. More like a light & dark, day & night, yin & yang kind of way. Watching them together, you see that they complete each other.
Our session differed a bit from others because very little of it was posed. I mostly just watched the two of them together and clicked the shutter when I saw something I wanted to capture. It made for a very enjoyable couple of hours. Here are a few of my favorites from our session... (Click any image to see it bigger.)
Thank you, Kim & Morty, for such a lovely evening. I can't wait to see you guys at your wedding in October!
