2017 was definitely a year of growing and reevaluating and making room and taking risks. I mean, I guess I would like to live a life where I look back on every year and say that’s true.

Photographically, I tried to fight my instinct to constantly fill the silence and instead, just take some time to slow down and feel the quiet. It wasn’t always easy, talking is my strong suit, but I feel like it resulted in a bit more honestly in my images, something I’m always striving for.

I’m trying to be present more. God, I hate that word. It’s become such a cliche. “I just want to be present.” Gag me with a spoon. But in reality, slowing down on a wedding day and allowing myself to sit in that mind frame has lead to more rewarding work. I don’t need to take as many photos as my memory card will hold. Sometimes it’s okay to just bring the camera to my eye and wait. Wait until I feel like moving on and then wait more. Wait until I can’t stand it and then wait more. Wait until I start to think “Everyone is noticing how long I’ve just been standing here waiting” and then wait more. Just wait for it to happen, and then it does, and then I photograph it.

I don’t know how to define what “it” is that I’m waiting for, but I think some of these images do an okay job at showing what “it” is.

My ever expanding gratitude to these couples who brought me in to their wedding days this year. Thank you.

Here are some photographs I waited for.