Why do I think it’s so important to state that I’m a highly experienced wedding photographer?

Because it’s crazy important.

In the last 14 years, and over the last 450+ weddings, I’ve gained invaluable experience through the variety of weddings I’ve photographed. I’m now confident to say I’m fully equipped as a wedding photographer to handle all technical photography situations, and as a human being to handle all social scenarios.

I feel like I’ve seen it all. Done it all. Said it all. Heard it all.

Seen everything that can go wrong.

Done some things that I would not repeat today.

Said a lot of things I cringe at.

Heard all the secrets and all the drama.

I’ve seen enough disasters to know how to be ready for any chaos and fix problems fast. I’ve heard enough intimate details to be both thick-skinned and trustworthy. I know every couple is different, so I never work on autopilot. What works for one wedding might fall flat at another, so I adjust what I do and what I say to fit the people in front of me.

The experience I’ve gained, and the mistakes I’ve learned from are invaluable.

The mistakes I’ve made have not been anything dramatic. I have never not shown up to a wedding, or lost image files, or anything like that. The mistakes have more been in the decisions, the timings and the social interactions. Knowing when to take the lead. Knowing when to speak up and when to be quiet. Knowing how to be humble. Knowing the line of what should and shouldn’t be said. Knowing how to find solutions to problems quickly and discreetly. Knowing what is the most important way to approach a wedding day.

Knowing my place.

The most important thing, I believe, is that on your wedding day you should be having a wedding. Not a photoshoot. Your interactions with your photographer should be whatever you like; it’s up to you if it’s minimal or in depth.

I’ve had many people treat me like a guest at their wedding, and had lots of feedback from couples that they felt like I was a friend they’ve known for years. I’ve also shot weddings where I’ve been Mr. Photographer and been kept at a distance. While the former is nice, the latter is okay also. I can align with whatever you need.

I look back at my 25 year old self, with my excitable nature, and I feel like it’s a completely different person. Sometimes my big personality was too big. Sometimes my excitable nature was too excited. Sometimes being Mr. Photographer, rather than a friend, affected my ego. Sometimes I didn’t know when to not say my inappropriate lines to get the big laughs. Sometimes I didn’t get it.

Now, I get it.

In 2025, I am proud to say I’m fully aware of what my existence is at a wedding. I know what works in each social scenario. I know what decision to make in stressful scenarios. I know when to blend into the background and when to step forward. I know how to read the room and ensure my presence adds to the moment, rather than take away from it. I know how to strike the balance between being professional and personable. I know how not to be intrusive.

I know my place.

While I wish I could say I’m fully formed as a wedding photographer, I’m pleased to say I am always learning. But for now, I’m confident to say that if I shoot your wedding in 2025 or 2026, it’ll be in a way I wasn’t equipped to do so in 2015 or 2016.