I started doing this last month and got a good little response so I think a tradition has been born.  It’s time to jump back to May of 2009 and take a look at some of my favorite images from the month.  It’s crazy for me to think that I shot these frames last year, some of them only feel like I took them 3 months ago.

:) Past couples, this is your chance to leave a nice comment about me and how much fun I was to work with. :)

Every now and then when I’m meeting with a new bride, she will timidly say… “I hope you don’t think this is rude, but what if you get sick the day of my wedding.”

It’s funny because I can always “feel” when the question is about to be asked and I can see the hesitation on their faces.  Almost like it’s rude of them to even mention it.  I’ll share with you what I say to them and save you the “embarrassment” of having to ask the question yourself.

First off, it’s a great question.  Seriously, this is your one and only wedding day, so knowing what your photographer or any other wedding vendor will do if they get sick is something you HAVE to ask about.  If you ever talk with a vendor who says anything like “Don’t’ worry about it, I never get sick. Things will be fine.”  You may want to start looking for someone else.  People unwilling to talk about backup plans, typically don’t have a back up plan.

So, without further a due, here is my What If I Get Violently Ill The Day Of Your Wedding Plan.

Phase One:  Call My Father In Law
My Father In Law is not really a great photographer, but he is a great doctor. :)  If at anytime leading up to your wedding, things start to go downhill for me, it’s nice to know that I have an on-call family practice doctor who can prescribe crazy doses of medication. :)

Phase Two:  Shoot Sick
If I’m not feeling well, that does not necessarily mean that I’m too sick to shoot a wedding.  I have shot about 5 or so weddings when I was “sick” and I never mention it and you past brides out there didn’t know it was happening. :)  I would never show up and get you sick, but shooting when I’m a bit under the weather is not a big deal.

Phase Three:  Call A Professional Wedding Photographer
I literally am friends with about 20 wedding photographers in the East Texas area.  These folks all shoot a very similar style to me and are people I know would do a great job documenting your day.  I would cover for them at the drop of a hat and I know they would do the same for me.  I have a list with their names and numbers printed out and it sits in the top drawer of my desk.  Danielle knows that if for any reason I am unable to make it, she can pull it out and start calling down the list.  These folks would show up, shoot, and deliver amazing images to you.  The only thing you would miss is my witty and charming personality. :)

The good news is that in over 5 years of shooting I have never missed a wedding for any reason.  The better news is that if for some reason anything were to happen, I have a plan in place.

Also, I thought It would be fun to show a little video of me about 30 minutes after I had my wisdom teeth removed last year. :)  Hydrocodone was my friend. :)

Brandy was a bit nervous as we started her session, but as the session went on, she relaed and found her groove.  I really like some of the images we got.  It’s funny because she booked me about 1.5 years out, so it feels like she’s been my client forever.  I can’t believe we finally got to do her bridal session and her wedding is just around the corner.

Brandy has the perfect smile/laugh combo.

So I’m thinking of starting a new little tradition here on the site.  Once a month I’ll feature my 10 favorite images from a same month 1 year ago.  (Wow, I feel like I made that sentence much more confusing than it needed to be.)

I think it’s important for brides to see a “history” of work.  Anyone with a decent camera can shoot a good image every now and then. However, shooting a wedding week in and week out is what really helps me “know” what’s going to happen next on your day.  So, this is a way of showing you that I’ve been shooting for a little while, and it’s also a way for my past brides to flaunt their stuff on my blog again. :)

Anyway, here they are, in no particular order, my favorite images from April 2009.

Hey, just a quick heads up.  This coming Sunday, March 21, The I Do Bridal Show will be held at the Longview Mall from 2-6PM.  It’s hosted by the lovely folks behind VOW.  (Read their vendor interview here.)  Anyway, there will be all kinds of prizes and goodies to win.  (Vanessa McKellar will be giving away about 1,500.00 worth of video goodness.)  The Mug Machine & I will be there in full force as well. :)

Come on by, say hello, meet some great vendors.

See you soon.

AlexM