My Worst Wedding Shoot Ever!!

In less than three weeks from now, will be walking down the aisle with my daughter at her wedding.  

Doubtless I will be feeling an element of stress at that moment, although not necessarily for the reasons you might expect (with the possible exception of the constant thought that later on that day I would have to give the "Father of the bride' speech).  

No, the main reason for the stress is elsewhere.  I love being a wedding photographer, being able to photograph couples on the happiest day of their lives, it's an honour and privilege.  Although much of my work is in the Sutton and Croydon area, increasingly I find myself at weddings in throughout Surrey and much of Sussex and Kent.  Sally's will be in Chichester, only 70 miles away.

I was thrilled when Sally asked me to photograph her wedding, I was fully prepared to get another photographer in, but she wanted me.  Last year I photographed my son's wedding.  That was a lot easier.  The father of the groom has a lesser role to play, and I had greater freedom to roam around with my cameras.

Not so when your daughter is the bride.  How do I photograph myself walking down the aisle?  How do I photograph myself during the speeches? 

Fortunately Sally has a friend (Luke) who is going to step in at those points and take some photos with my gear.  We have already arranged to meet up at the wedding rehearsal and give him a chance to practice.  

Luke will be unfamiliar with my Canon 1D, and he will have to practice the skill of photographing myself and Sally walking towards him down the aisle, keeping constant focus as we get closer and closer.  A tough enough assignment under normal circumstances, but when it's your first time, and it's not your own camera, and there's no second chance, and the father of the bride is walking towards you...  THAT is pressure!  

As soon as I get to my seat, both my cameras will be waiting for me - and that's when I stop being just 'Dad'.  That's when I snap into 'Wedding Photographer' mode and begin the photograph the rest of the ceremony.  

The stress I was talking about??  Not being able to photograph my daughter as she takes the most important steps of her life.  The 'walking down the aisle' shot is iconic, and for once, I just have to relinquish control and enjoy the moment.