When it comes to wedding photography, there's so much more to capturing stunning images than just pointing the camera and clicking. As a photographer, I spend a lot of time planning, thinking, and strategizing to ensure every shot not only looks great but also tells the story of the couple's special day in the most beautiful way possible. So let me take you behind the lens and into my brain... the scariest location of them all.


Recently, I had the pleasure of shooting a wedding at the breathtaking Sugar Bowl Resort. While the venue itself is stunning, it presented some unique challenges when it came to finding the ideal spots for pre-ceremony family photos. And if you’ve ever been to a wedding, you know these moments are often the most challenging to capture—they’re fast-paced, emotional, and require a careful blend of technical skill and creativity.

The Struggle of Finding the Perfect Light

One of the biggest challenges I faced was the lighting. It was 1:30 p.m., and there was no shade to be found—just a big, bright sky and harsh sunlight. Now, if you’ve ever tried to take a photo in bright sunlight, you know it’s not exactly flattering. The shadows can be unforgiving (hi there every wrinkle and fine line on your face) and the light can wash out all those little details that make a photo special.


So, there I was, looking at the only option available: an insanely backlit grassy area. I wasn’t thrilled about it, and I knew I had to do better. I refused to settle for less than perfect, especially for the important family formal portraits.

Determined to Get It Right

My second shooter, Caitlin, and I decided to take matters into our own hands. We only had 15 minutes to spare (honestly, where we found those 15 minutes, I have no idea), but we used every second of it. We walked around the resort, scouting every nook and cranny. We looked high, we looked low, we looked in, we looked out. We argued, discussed, and debated over numerous potential locations. We took like 82,234 test shots (like the one below) to see how the light played in each area.


Finally, after what felt like a mini-marathon through gravel, dirt, and ski resort stairs (if you know, you know), we found it: one tiny sliver of shade cast by a group of tall pines. But there was a catch—this spot was only going to work if I stood, nay, crouched on an embankment, half-hidden in some bushes. Not ideal, but I was up for the challenge of going up and down and up and down and up and down. Functional step ups anyone?

Making it Work

Once we found this spot, it was all hands on deck. Caitlin had to hold back the leaves so they wouldn’t be TOO prominent in the photos. And while it may have looked like we were going for some artistic "leaf layering" effect, the reality was far more chaotic. (The layering do be lookin' nice tho IMO) But in the end, we got the family photos I wanted.


The result? Beautiful, evenly lit photos that showcased each family member perfectly, without any harsh shadows or too many overexposed areas. And it was worth every bit of the struggle.

Why All This Matters

So, why am I sharing all of this behind-the-scenes chaos with you? Because this is why you should vet your wedding photographer... so you can trust them with decisions like this and KNOW they are going to work for you. It’s not just about having a nice camera; it’s about knowing how to use it in every situation. It’s about understanding light, composition, and the little nuances that turn a good photo into a great one.


When you look at the photos from this wedding, you might see beautiful smiles, gorgeous dresses, and a backdrop that looks effortlessly perfect. But behind every one of those photos is a story of determination, creativity, and a whole lot of experience.


So next time you’re planning a wedding, an event, or even just a family portrait, remember that there’s so much more going on behind the scenes (in my brain) than you might think. And trust me, it’s always worth it.