12 Years Ago I Photographed My First Wedding!

May 17th is a date that will always be incredibly special to me. May 17th, 2008, 12 years ago today, I (begrudgingly!) photographed my very first wedding and started my journey into portrait photography.

Begrudgingly?

Yes! I was on a photographic journey that involved things that didn’t speak; flowers, sunsets, nature, etc. But then a coworker hounded me for MONTHS to photograph his wedding and I turned him down for months. Fast forward to a few weeks before the wedding and he’s still hounding me with no other photographer lined up. I reluctantly agreed. I had no experience, I had no desire to photograph weddings. I took photos of plants, nature and landscapes, for goodness sake! For fun. That was all! People were too complicated, especially high-pressure weddings. I wanted no part! At least that’s what I told myself. I mentioned all of this to him. He still persisted. I caved because I couldn’t bear them not having any photos of their day. I showed up to photograph that wedding, sweating the whole day because I had NO idea what I was doing. Seriously, no idea. Zilch. Zero. Nada. But something happened that magical day. I fell in love. With portrait photography. With weddings. With documenting people, and the big moments in their lives. That day kicked off my career and brought me to where I’m at today.

Shane knew that I had wanted to be a photographer for years, and I think he knew that I needed to be pushed in order to take a chance on myself.

While my journey into documenting people’s lives may not have started in a conventional way and I pushed the idea away for years, I know now that it was purely my fear (of both failing and succeeding) that kept me from pursuing my dream. But he and Victoria saw something that I was too scared to see, and took a chance on me. Yes, I made mistakes that day and I cringe when looking back at my work from the beginning. And yes, I have made many more mistakes along the way but I’ve come a long way, baby! I’ll keep making mistakes. We all do. You can’t grow without making and learning from your mistakes, and it’s all part of the journey.

Happy Anniversary Shane & Victoria!

See my first wedding and my last wedding (2019) below.

I’ve always been all about the details!

For the first time in my career, I’m extremely relieved that I did not have any weddings booked for 2020. My heart goes out to all couples, as well as my fellow photographer friends and all vendors, trying to navigate this stormy season of life right now in what was supposed to be the happiest times of your lives. I’m thinking of you - we’ll all get through this stronger, together.

Erin and her Getting Ready Story

My sweet, beautiful friend Erin asked me if I would swing by her hotel last week before she got married(!!!) so I could take some photos of her details. If you know me, you know details are my absolute faaaaaaaaaaaaavorite thing to photograph; especially wedding details. The prettier the better. The sparklier the better. The blingy-er the better. I just made up words to prove a point - you get the idea! I showed up to a hotel room at The Langham and was greeted with squeals of delight from all of the girls and a giant hug from Erin. Her girls and her mom all surrounded her and the love and excitement was just infectious. I mean, I was so thrilled for Erin before arriving, but after spending the morning with this crew, I was excited beyond words. Erin's posse is legit! And her MOM... You can just see the pride beaming out of this woman for her daughter. Not gonna' lie, my eyes were welling up in the room with them and did so again while culling through my photos. These photos are some of my favorite wedding moments I've ever captured and I've done this a lot! Enough talking, let the photos speak for themselves!

I'm so excited to share these with you all and am so honored, Erin, that you asked me to document your special morning for you. I love every detail that you put into this wedding almost as much as I love you and Kevin! I'm so happy for you both and I hope this helps cure your post-wedding withdrawals! I can't wait to see the photos from the rest of your perfect day! Congratulations!

XOXO

Bryann & Derrick

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and I'm feeling extra thankful this year to get to be able to do what I love doing for a living. I also get to work with the best people around that trust me to document the most special times in their lives! This was my last big event for the year and my heart is so full and grateful. 

I met Bryann a few years ago when I was living in Sun Prairie and we lived in the same building. I was having Valentine's Day mini sessions and she brought her then-two year old daughter Daylin by for photos. I fell in love with this sweet little girl instantly and have been photographing their growing family since. Last year they welcomed little Ellie and this year she asked me to photograph their small intimate ceremony where they officially tied the knot with their girls in tow. So much love and happiness! Also, don't they make the most adorable babies ever?!?! Take a peak at some of my favorite images from their day.