Movin' On Up! (To Shotbyjohn.com)

Hello my dear blog followers!

I'm very excited to tell you that John's Photography has a brand-spankin' new blog/website over at Shotbyjohn.com. This blog that you're reading right now will still be around for a while, but all of my new posts will resume over at the fancy new blog.

As always - thank you for visiting. I'll see you over at the new site!

Sioux Falls, South Dakota Wedding: Melanie + Steve

There's nothing quite like stuffing cake in someone's face.

Just a little more than one year ago, my Stacy and I tied the knot in the beautiful Minnesotan countryside. That day was the best day of my life, but the few months before that day were filled with once-in-a-lifetime decisions. Who's going to be the flower girl? Who's going to be the ring bearer? Are we even going to have a ring bearer? and What's our first dance song going to be?

By far the most difficult question for me to answer was: Who will my groomsmen be?

I've been blessed to have several reliable, close friends in my life. Narrowing my male friends down to four groomsmen was a mental and emotional struggle.

My (only) brother and my (only) brother-in-law were shoe-ins. They're not only blood, but they're also a couple of my closest buds. It was an easy decision. Filling the other two groomsmen positions was tough. To make a long story short, my closest friends Brandon and Steve stepped up to the alter with me and the rest of our wedding gang. (Jeff, Ryan, Brandon and Steve (and my ushers Jeff and Otis): If you're reading this, thanks again for being there for me. I owe beers to you all.)

BTW: Here's my advice for grooms-to-be who are picking their line-up: Don't over-think it. True friends will still be your friends even if you don't pick them to be in your wedding. Don't stress over it.

What you should stress over, if anything, is how you're going to clean the frosting out of your nose after your bride smashes a slice of cake on your face.

When Steve and Melanie asked me to be their wedding photographer, I was even more honored than I would have been if Steve had asked me to be a groomsman. For me, capturing someone's wedding day is just as fun as being in the party. In my mind, the only difference is that I don't have to rent a tux - and, of course, I have a camera in my hand all day.

Steve and Melanie had the most beautiful outdoor wedding I've ever seen. There's always a risk with doing anything outside in South Dakota, but they were blessed with a gorgeous August Saturday. It was a picture-perfect day.

I was honored to be there for Steve and Melanie, but I'm even more honored to have them as friends.

Brookings, South Dakota Wedding: Brittany + Scott

Standing attentively in the church lobby, he removes his hands from his pockets to check his collar, his hair, his tie and again his collar. I thought he looked sharp. Great, really. But he didn't appear to feel likewise. As I try to banter with him, he asks me where I want him to stand, and if he should smile.

These are the symptoms of a groom who is about to see his bride for the first time.

I tell him to take a breath and attempt to soften his expression with a bit of dry humor. He needs to smile. Believe me, I've been in his shoes. (Almost one year ago, BTW, but that's for another post.)

As he sighs and forces a smile, I see a brilliant white dress appear over his shoulder. Carefully trailed by the helpful hands of her maid of honor, she brings her gleaming smile into the lobby, and he brings himself around on his heels.

The effortless, natural version of his smile comes forth, directly reflecting the beauty of his bride.

They promptly approach each other with silent, gleaming observations. She asks him how she looks, and he answers by smiling even brighter.

It happens for every bride and groom, but this type of scene highlights every wedding day in its own unique way. Some are reserved with respect, some scream with joy, some cry, some bring forth cheek-cramping smiles.

In any fashion, I'm always honored to be there, out of the way. Silently and respectfully recording a meaningful moment, just over a shoulder.

Congratulations Brittany and Scott! I was sincerely honored to be part of your big day. THANK YOU!