Katie contacted me with less than one month to go until her wedding date. Right off the bat I loved her initial email, “Hey, I know you are probably booked already, but if not, I’d love for you to photograph our shotgun wedding! It’s a small family affair, but memories are so important to me.” The vibe was friendly and excited and really showed her overall enthusiasm for the wedding, the baby, and — best of all — the wedding photos.

To fit into her budget Katie and I worked out a short 3-hour package with just pre-ceremony and ceremony coverage. In that small amount of time, I tried to cover as many bases as possible, including details like rings, dress and bouquet, the back end of Katie getting ready and couples shots of her and James.

I saw this window from the outside of her house when I accidentally arrived at the back door instead of the front. I knew right away the shape and stained-glass elements to it would give photos there a little more flavor than the usual window photos. First thing I did was hang the dress there!

As quickly as I finished the detail shots, it was time to put the dress on. And while mom was super friendly and welcoming, I can’t say the family’s four Daschunds were quite the same. Even with all the licking, nudging and occasional barking, I stayed focused on the task at hand. The sweet, friendly little guys even found their way into some pretty cute getting-ready photos.

Katie and I also wanted to try to squeeze in a couple of bridal portraits at an old abandoned house on the street. She looked so graceful standing on the porch, and other than the Sepia photo of the whole house, the vintage-y feel to these images is completely natural, no special effects added!

James showed up and we kicked off the couples shots with the silhouette I had envisioned in front of the window I mentioned earlier. Afterwards we headed to the Walnutport Canal to take some additional photos and get these two love birds married!

The ceremony was simple and elegant. James in his Air Force dress blues and Katie in her elegant and well-fitted gown, the couple themselves — more than anything else — are what really classed up these ceremony photos.

Formals were taken and it was my cue to leave. It was a privilege to photograph such a beautiful bride and mother-to-be and be part of this couple’s oh-so-special day. Katie is a true lady and James a real gentlemen. Congratulations again you two on your real-life storybook wedding!