Sam & Katie
Being a second shooter for a wedding is one of the more challenging tasks for a photographer. Not creatively, mind you, as second shooting tends to be much less stressful than being a lead photographer but in building personal relationships. Often, when I second shoot a wedding, I've never met the bride and groom until moments before I start taking photos and that can be super awkward if the couple isn't easygoing and laid back.
Thankfully, it didn't take me long to see what kind of couple I was working with as I prepared to photograph Sam and Katie's wedding at Quidnessett Country Club back in April.
Right from the moment I walked in to see them already taking wedding party formal photos with the lead photographer on the day, I knew we were in for fun as the bride and groom-to-be were laughing, smiling and having a great time not taking themselves too seriously.
And for the my first wedding of 2018? I really couldn't have asked for more.
My time with Sam and Katie began about an hour before they said "I do."
I could tell from the way they interacted with their wedding party that Sam and Katie, who had just had a romantic first look moments earlier, were excited to get the show on the road and I can't blame them.
We had a tough winter in Rhode Island and Sam and Katie's wedding day was the first real "spring-like" day we had in 2018 and the timing couldn't have been better as it was a perfect afternoon to see two people in love share a day they would never forget.
Sam and Katie's ceremony was super personal and, thanks to the help of a friend turned officiant, really funny.
The two couldn't keep their eyes off each other during a special reading by the groom's father and the moment they were officially husband and wife, I could tell it was time to party.
But not before we stole them away for some more beautiful formal photos on the greens of Quidnessett Country Club, one of my favorite places to shoot a wedding day.
We didn't stay out long for formal photos and I can't really blame the bride and groom. The whole reason Sam and Katie did a first look and took care of family and wedding party photos early was to spend as much time with their guests as possible and, seeing as how fast their reception turned into an open dance floor party, I can't blame them.
I knew we were in for a busy night right from the first dance as Sam and Katie became my first couple of 2018 to dance to "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran for their first dance. They wouldn't be the last.
"Perfect" was a great way to describe how this reception began as Sam and Katie welcomed their guests on the dance floor for a few songs before taking their seats and getting ready for a trio of great toasts and dinner.
I always love the dinner period of a wedding reception when I'm a second shooter. It's the one time of a wedding day when I can just relax and get creative and, thankfully, Sam and Katie's wedding was Disney themed, which allowed for a number of cool detail shots of the decor. I especially love that Mario and Princess ring shot. I have a feeling that's one that may find its way into my portfolio at the end of the year.
Following dinner, Sam and Katie kicked the party portion of their wedding off with a pair of parent dances, the second of which really tore at my heart strings as Sam and his mother danced to "Slow Down" by Nichole Nordeman.
Add in a fun cake cutting and the formal portion of the night was officially over. And that was great news for me as, by the time we got to the open dance floor part of the night, my time was coming to an end.
I couldn't leave without getting more photos of the bride and groom dancing together though.
Seriously. What an adorable couple.
By the time I got ready to leave Sam and Katie's wedding reception, I knew I had captured plenty of great memories that they'd cherish for a lifetime.
And, I'll be honest, it was tough leaving this one as I have a feeling the party was just getting started with this crowd.
Thankfully, though, that's the beauty of being a second photographer. I may not be there all night but I am there long enough to capture the big moments of the evening.
And Sam and Katie's wedding was definitely one defined by the big moments.
-PJS
* These photos were taken as part of my work for George Street Photography and are presented here strictly for portfolio/display purposes.
Tags: Quidnessett Country Club, Outdoor Weddings, Rhode Island Weddings, North Kingstown,
Paul J. Spetrini Photography
Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:
Location: Meadowbrook Inn,
Charlestown, Rhode Island.
Date: May 1st, 2018
Nathan & Amy
Location: Quidnessett Country Club,
North Kingstown Rhode Island.
Date: November 18th, 2017
Keiran & Jessica
Location: Crystal Lake Golf Club,
Mapleville, Rhode Island.
Date: October 28th, 2017
Got a thought? Leave a Reply
