We talked on the phone earlier the week of the wedding and after Jennifer and I had finalized all the final wedding details, we had no concerns. Everything had really fallen into place and I was starting to wrap my head around what the wedding weekend would look like.
And then…the curve ball. Around Tuesday of last week, the weather channel was predicting that Tropical Storm Lee was picking up. I told Jennifer I would say my prayers and hope for the best. She had been dreaming of her destination beach wedding for months and now that it had finally arrived, a tropical storm was moving in.
With that being said, the weekend didn’t go as planned, but it was a weekend I’ll remember forever.
There are a few moments in life that I will treasure. They create feelings of euphoria and pure happiness….times when nothing feels wrong and life is just….good. As Amelia and I rode into Pensacola Beach, we rolled all the windows down and pulled back the sunroof. The wind was BLAZING through my vehicle and we were laughing SO hard at how amazing it felt. “If I die Young” was playing on the radio and we were living the dream. For that, I’m thankful.
It’s funny how the little things can make life so special and that’s exactly what happened. We spent the weekend with wonderful people, relaxing in the protection of a beautiful beach house and I truly feel blessed for the opportunity to be there.
As you can see, the rain and wind were “no joke.” Amelia and I were toughing out the storm to grab shots of the beach and the beachhouse. Thanks to Amelia for this shot above so that I can remember these moments.
I love how Jennifer + Daniel look perfect! Perfect together and perfectly put together. 🙂 Amelia and I….well, let’s just say that we were going for the wet and windy look.
Jennifer + Daniel decided that although they didn’t get the destination beach wedding they dreamed of, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t have the photos they wanted. Despite the rain and the wind, after the ceremony commenced and before the reception, we made our way to the beach. I changed into jean capris (in case I would happen to get wet) and I placed my camera into an underwater housing. (Thanks SO much to Kaylynn for allowing me to borrow this for the weekend.)
Things started out fine…I was on the beach and Jennifer + Daniel in the water. And then, I decided to get all crazy with it…laying in the sand with the waves crashing in.
And then it happened. Thank GOODNESS my camera was encased in the underwater housing because as I was looking down at my camera and lifting myself up, a wave caught me and sent me tumbling COMPLETELY under the water. This is the shot Amelia capture just after it happened.
So, yes…I did walk dripping wet and full of sand into the reception. And yes, it was totally worth it.
That last image is perfect!!! I’ll never forget the feeling of shooting in the ocean. Photographers and couples alike need a HUGE fist bump for this. For a couple to pose naturally and BE natural in a COMPLETELY unnatural environment is so so difficult. Waves tend to feel like herds of liquid cattle rushing by you. I am SO glad your camera was protected!!!