Last week after I kicked off my 2013 wedding season I was thinking back on all the weddings I’ve shot over the years. I realized that this April (the 19th) to be exact was the anniversary of the first wedding I shot as a lead photographer in 2008. Prior to that I had been doing some second shooting, families etc., but it was my first wedding as Becky Brown Photography. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since that day. It truly feels like yesterday. I spent a couple hours this week going back through all the weddings and sessions I’ve shot over these last few years and realizing how truly lucky I am to be doing this.

Just like with everything in life there have been amazing moments and there have been awful moments. It’s cheesy to say, but I’ve laughed and I’ve cried – heck I laughed and I cried just writing this blog post! I’ve been so happy that I thought I would explode and there have been days I wanted to throw my camera in the lake. But at the end of the day I wouldn’t change any of it. The hard times have helped me grown as a photographer and a business woman. The great moments will forever live in my memory as a reminder why I do what I do.

So I say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has let me be a part of your wedding day, let me photograph your family , or let me capture the newest member of the family coming into the world, let me take your engagement photos and share in your love.

Thank you to my friends, boyfriend, parents and family for supporting me and listening to me during the ups and downs over the years!

Thank you to all my amazing assistants that have spent hours shooting with me at weddings and held reflectors and lugged around my gear! I wouldn’t be where I am without you all!

Thank you all for an amazing 5 years of business. I look forward to the next 5!

Becky

Although I don’t have a favorite wedding or a favorite session, but rather favorite parts of every shoot I wanted to do a recap of some of the ones that stood out to me over the last 5 years! I’d love to recap them all, but this would be the longest blog post ever! Enjoy!

I have to start with that first wedding. I went back and re-edited a photo from that wedding … its amazing how far I’ve come in my editing process!

This wedding wins the award for Most Random Wedding I’ve ever shot! I was in Cancun on vacation (also 2008) with friends when I saw this couple about  to get married on the beach right near us. Of course I noticed right away that they didn’t have a photographer and I went an introduced myself to a bridemaid and offered to shoot it. I literally ran up to my room to get my camera (yes I brought my camera on vacation) and shot their wedding on the beach while I was still in my bathing suit and cover up! haha…. thanks to Emily and Darci for this photo of me in action!

I spent about 3 and half years working as a freelance photographer for Cummins in Columbus. As part of those duties I took a lot (thousands) of headshots. This was how I spent every other Monday for most of that 3.5 years!

2009 was a crazy year of weddings and personal projects. I had a show of my personal work in Bloomington and Columbus, which also landed me on the cover of the Columbus Republic’s She Magazine. I had no idea I was on the cover until it came out and that day was wild as I got calls and messages from tons of people! I felt like a mini celebrity for the day 🙂

One of my favorite venues this year was Martha’s Orchard which is on the west side of Indy. Thanks to Kristen and Derek for allowing me to shot their wedding there:) You can see the full wedding HERE. Hint, Hint…. I’d love to shoot at this venue again 🙂

2009 was also the first year I did Help Portrait which is an amazing opportunity to give back with photography. You can find out more about this event here – http://help-portrait.com/

I’ve shot at Clifty Falls Inn 3 times now – in the summer , in the fall and in the winter. Who is getting married there in the spring? I need to round out my seasons!                                                                   This is from Kelsy and Alburn’s 2009 wedding.

I started off 2010 with some snow! One of my  best friends and roommate at the time was engaged and we’d been waiting for some snow to come along for photos. Luckily she and her fiance were home when a big snow storm came through and we braved the cold for a spur of the moment session! HERE  is Lindsey and Brad’s full session.

One memory I’ll never forget is my sister’s wedding in 201o where with the help of my amazing cousin Heather I was the maid of honor and the photographer…. thank god I only have one sister because it was crazy! (I swear I don’t drink while I’m shooting, but I couldn’t resist this photo of beer in one hand, camera in the other in my bridesmaids dress!). See there full wedding HERE.

My first Brownstown wedding was in 2010 and every year since then I’ve shot a wedding there with a reception in Pewter Hall! Thanks to Becca and Phil for being the ones to kick off this tradition!See their full wedding HERE.

201o was also the year I shot Ashley and Tyler’s wedding in Bloomington, which is hands down has had the most wild weather and events of any wedding I’ve ever shot. They were amazing throughout the entire day despite the curveballs that kept being thrown their way. Between the power outage at the resort, the scorching heat during the day followed by a summer thunder storm and a trip to the hospital for one guest it’s one I’ll never forget! You can read their entire story HERE.