worst and most epic photography fail ever.

The title of the post should be enough to clue you in on how utterly embarrassing the following story really is. I only share it because my sensor broke years ago. I'm not disillusioned enough to think that the readers of this blog believe I'm anything short of a train wreck. And that's on a good day.
Today, sadly, wasn't so good.
I was scheduled to shoot a wedding in Salt Lake City at 3:00pm. Because my favorite lens is in the shop, I planned just enough time to stop by Pictureline to pick up a replacement lens. (No I didn't snag a doughnut...what with time being of the essence and all that jazz.) Per my usual crazed schedule, I found myself running ten minutes late. I kissed the kids good bye, hopped in the mini (van...not mini-cooper), and headed to Draper to pick up the lens. I rushed in, grabbed the lens, and continued on my way to SLC. When I pulled into the parking garage I was feeling snazzy because I, the amazing photog that I am, was ten minutes early! I wanted the garage attendant to give me a woot woot, but he wasn't feeling it.

I opened the side door of my van to take out my gear. Right then, the woot woot rushed out of me. And I wanted to cry. I, the not-so-amazing-photog-that-I-am, realized with a sudden sickening gut-twist that I had left my camera at home.
Yes, my freaking camera! As in, the very tool I need to actually be a photographer. As in, my life!
Brilliant, Erin. Way to rock that wedding. And not only had I left my camera at home, but I also left the lens that I use during 90% of wedding day.


So after a minor heart-attack, I realized not all was lost. I had randomly shoved a second camera body in the bottom of my camera bag. Until Karly, my awesome-life-saving-super-fly-assistant, brought my camera and lens, I used the back-up and made due with the lenses I had. In the end, the day turned out to be amazing. And oddly enough, I think that today I snagged some of my most favorite wedding pictures ever! Even it today was also one of my most embarrassing days ever.

so very cheesy.

I love to take wedding photos...and I love all my cute couples...and I think all their pictures are to die for. Gush, gush, gush. Yeah, I get that I sound like a total sap. Cheesiness to the max. But it's the truth. Well, most of the time. I'll not be speaking of any bride-zillas here so you can go elsewhere if you think this post has anything to do with the bride I encountered last week that nearly ripped my head off because I merely mentioned she might have to wait one minute longer to take a certain picture. Please, like I'm working on her time schedule. When will these brides learn that their wedding day is MY day? Mine, mine, mine. Where I'm the photog rockstar and they're just a momentary blip in my shot. 

 

Uh, did I just say all thought in out-loud cyber space? 

 

Pardon the serious tangent. The truth of the post is this, sometimes I really do love my brides and grooms to death. And sometimes I shed a tear. Like when I snapped this shot:

Sometimes I cry. (Note: should you mention this fact to anyone I'll deny it. I'm no sissy photog.)

So when my close friend's little sister gets married to an awesome guy, and then she shares a tear-jerking dance with her father...sometimes I get a little misty-eyed. Or a lot. 

And it's those times I realize that I love photography even if sometimes I get stressed; sometimes I feel as if I don't have time to pee; sometimes I wish I was writing instead of shooting; sometimes I want to just turn my ringer off and spend two hours taking a hot bath. 

Sometimes it's so worth it to be a photographer. And one of those times would be when the awesome father of the bride (pictured above) includes a little bonus on top of my wedding fee. A bonus that's not at all too cheesy for me and my queen of cheese. 

When the bonus is a can of COUGAR GOLD, then I say it's pretty darn great being a wedding photographer! 

Another Post?

I know what you're thinking.  She doesn't post for like a month and then puts up two in one day...WTfreak?

Well, it's because I just finished editing Karly and Rob's bridal images and I am in love.

They are my favorite, and I want you to check them out.

I mean,

only if you want to.

Uh, this feels all wierd like we're dating . . .

anyway, if you want to check it out, I've posted them on my photography blog:

www.erinsummerillphotography.com/blog

Does this make me like a total blog addict? 
sigh. 

Rob and Karly: Utah Wedding Photography

I love suprises.  And today I had the BEST one ever.

To be honest, when Rob, Karly, Me and Jaime (thank's Jaime for assisting) went to the SLC library to shoot engagement shots, I was a little bummed.  Not because I was shooting the coolest couple ever, but because the weather was BAD.  Not just overcast, but death-gray overcast without an ounce of good sunlight.  Which translates too--bad ambient light.  Which means--bad pictures.  We shot for about an hour, and I tried my best to capture their fun-loving-ness, but frankly, when we left the shoot I figured I'd be calling them in a week and suggesting we shoot again.  (This is something that has only happened to me once before in my entire shooting career...so obviously I was bummed.)  Anyway, I just pulled the images off my card, and HOLY MOLY!  I was suprised. 

They Rock.  Rob and Karly Rock.  The images Rock. 

So, I guess what I'm saying is, I wasn't as bad as I thought, and that's the reason for this uber-long photo post.  I hope you like them too. 

(Love in the StAcKs)

(Love in an elEVATOR)

And this last one, well, it cracks me up!  Who knew Cliquetionary would be such a compelling read?!?

Hey Rob and Karly, I had a blast.  Good Times at the SLC Library!

Finally . . . Tiff and Tuks Wedding Shots

Finally!  I'm Done.  Ohhhh, I'm so giddy about these shots.  First off, can I just say that New Zealand was beautiful!  That certianly made my job a little bit easier.  And thenTiffany was stunning and Tuks equally handsome.  Simply perfect for each other. 

The day of the wedding the forcast said it would rain.  Tiffany must have had an angel looking down on her because everywhere she went, the sun poured down on her, and not a drop of rain came close to ruining her day.  Here are a few of my favorites from the day. 

Thanks Tiff and Tuks for sharing your wonderful day with me.  I love you two!

I'd like to take credit for this one. . .

I've been frantically editing so I can finish off Tiffany and Tuks wedding shots, and then move into editing the awesome families in Washington.  As I scanned my files, I came across this one.  The strange thing is, I don't remember taking it.  And then I remembered.  I COULDN'T HAVE...I was laying in the road to get a wide angle.  This shot was taken by MARK!  Is this the bomb or what?  I left the shot pretty raw so you could see the SOC from Mark.  I did boost the contrast, but other than that, this is Mark's original work. 

Talk about beautiful Bokeh!  Dang, maybe all my business will go to him now. 

Tiff and Tuks : New Zealand Wedding Photography : by a Utah Photographer

We flew in last night . . . and more or less, came home for ten minutes before I was off to the doctor.  After the euphoria of seeing my sweet baby girl and wonderful boys wore off, the killing pain in my lower back took over my attention.  Diagnosis:  Urinary Tract Infection and Kidney Infection. 

Suck.

No, double Suck.

After a shot in the butt and a heavy duty antibiotic prescription, I came home and sorted the shots from Tiff and Tuk's wedding in New Zealand.  Sigh.  They are beautiful people.  And their wedding was equally beautiful.  From the first moment I met Tuks, I thought he was amazing.  The pefect match for smart, funny, talented Tiffany!  

Our time in New Zealand flew by.  We met wonderful people like Ana, and Anna, and Paige (the girls) and the awesome Salanoa family.  Then after just under a week, our time was over and we had to leave for Australia.  Thanks all you New Zealanders for educating me on how to say the letter Z.  (You guys say "Zed" for Z instead of "Zee" for Z...too funny.)  I only drove on the wrong side of the road 3 times...sorry Tiff for nearly taking your life.  And I gorged myself on all your great Lollies (code for Candy).  New Zealand Rocks. 

Luv, Erin

Without further ado, here's your sneek peek:

The Reception . . .

Held at a beautiful, quaint, art gallery in the heart of Auckland, the reception was absolutely stunning.  From the relaxed tunes of the band, the beautiful arched ceiling, to the simple yet elegant table decor, I loved it all and tried to capture a bit of everything.  Tuks sang to Tiff the most beautiful arrangement of songs, and I was in love.  Dang, that man can sing!  Tiff looked radient and shined.  The reception was simply magical.