The sun came up slowly, the mountains turning from soft painted grey shapes to lines of blue and purple. As we walked up to the end of the paved dead-end road and onto the snowy gravel that headed out among the trees, Emily admitted how nervous she was. It’s a scary thing, to tear yourself open and stand in front of a camera as your true self. It’s scary to be vulnerable. Hannah, steady and confident, held her hand and assured her that she looked amazing and that they could always just be awkward together. Five minutes later they were laughing and kissing, whole world spread out below us and their easy love like the warm glow of dawn. Despite being unsure, a little bit of spinning and running through the snowy grass was all they needed to fall right into who they usually are, the most fun and sweet couple. Watching them through the camera, it looked like they did this every day. The way Emily looked up from the ring she’d chosen at Hannah and smiled as if she could see their entire life stretching out into the distance ahead of them made me feel like I was witnessing something precious and honest, something far outside those initial nerves.
Let me tell you a little secret. It is SO normal to be nervous about the idea of a session. So normal, in fact, that I’m nervous before every single one that I shoot! I have so many years of experience with photography, I know exactly what I’m doing, and still that little flutter of anxiety wakes me up each time. Will I be able to capture real love, real moments, a story that feels like theirs? It’s a big job to take on, turning love tangible. All that to say, if I’m allowed to feel nervous even with all my experience, then of course you are too! But rest assured, once we’re out there having fun and romping around together, those nerves will fade. I won’t make you wear something you don’t like, or pose stiffly in shapes your body doesn’t usually make. I might make you run or skip or jump up and down, and I will definitely make you laugh, but I won’t make you feel out of place or unsure. You are here to have fun and be in love, and I will be there beside you reminding you how stunning you look. All love will be cherished in front of my lens, I promise.
I do want to add though, that there can be an extra fear in having your photos taken as a queer couple. Maybe there are some people you love who you aren’t out to yet who may see the photos. Maybe you have only ever seen cis straight couples in the engagement photos you looked through on Instagram and Pinterest and you don’t know how you will pose or dress. So I want you to know that when I say I cherish all love, I mean that. You can wear whatever the heck makes you happy, and you don’t have to share the photos with a single person if you don’t want to. You can be as traditional or nontraditional as you want to. This is your love story.
Also, how cute is their sweet little corgi Hank? You better believe I’m crossing my fingers that that furry little charmer will be in their wedding too!
