Weddings are all about the love story. Despite the difficulties presented to all of us in 2020, our incredible clients found new ways to tell their stories in safe ways. As wedding photographers, we navigated the difficulties of COVID-19 weddings along with our wonderful clients. It was amazing to still be part of so many beautiful weddings and experience so much joy, even during difficult times. For us, the challenges of 2020 included everything from navigating virtual planning sessions to using longer lenses for more distance to photographing subjects wearing masks. These issues proved to be minor given the circumstances, and our photographers were universal in saying their memories of 2020 will be of the intimacy of smaller gatherings, many of which took place in stunning outdoor settings.
Here’s what else our photographers had to say about shooting weddings in 2020, and more importantly what they’re looking forward to in 2021.
Tara Sloane
“I think 2020 asked everyone to slow down and really get clear on our values and priorities, both personally and collectively. I'm looking forward to seeing how that shift impacts weddings moving forward—to seeing if all the quirky, thoughtful, and intimate gatherings that came to define weddings in 2020 will become more of a norm. With every season, I look forward to the people—to connecting with clients and their loved ones, to collaborating with the endless creative talents of other vendors, to just being in the electric, unbridled joy of a wedding celebration. I hope it's not just wishful thinking, but I'm also looking forward to the first self-serve dessert spread of 2021 more than I can say!"
Nicole McCoy
“The thing that felt the oddest was seeing so many people in masks, and not being able to photograph their facial expressions. This made it especially different for me when shooting candids. But, this is definitely a sign of the times! And, I feel good about the many moments where people were outside and allowed to not wear a mask, so the couple was still able to get some nice images of their guests.”
“It's been a hard wedding year for so many people, having to give up their wedding plans or change things last minute. I know it's been really hard wanting to celebrate with so many guests and it's been really difficult to do that in a safe way in 2020. Depending on what 2021 looks like, I think it's a great idea if couples can have an outdoor wedding, that way they can see more people and have their wedding day feel mostly normal! I look forward to 2021!”
Melissa Hesse
“Smaller weddings are easier on the budget and offer a more intimate guest list that I think couples are enjoying (no more guilt around who to invite!). There isn't a big to-do for the day and it is much more laidback, so this might be opening doors for future themes around weddings.”
”I am looking forward to smaller weddings and perhaps brunch weddings because who doesn't love brunch?! I'm also looking forward to seeing the ways couples adapt their wedding day plans and themes now that there is more inspiration out there and guidance on how to properly social distance at a wedding.”
Jess Ekstrand
“I love a big wedding, but these smaller, backyard weddings have been so lovely! It was quieter than previous years and COVID presented us with some challenges, but I still got to photograph some beautiful weddings and couples.”
“I hope that in 2021 COVID is under control, and we can safely have packed dance floors again.”
Ben Lansky
“The weddings I shot this year were obviously much smaller and more intimate than years before. It was nice to be one of the few guests honored with the chance to be at such an important event in the lives of the couple, but it came with the understanding that my role was even more important. The images I captured would be the only way that many of the couple's loved ones would experience this important event.”
“I think including photographs of people through windows, wearing masks, socially distanced, using hand sanitizer or any other ‘new normal’ action associated with COVID-19 is a way to commemorate the time and more vividly remember what was going on in the world when the couple got married.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know my clients in person again in 2021!”