Katie & Josh | Nationals Stadium wedding

Now I went to school in New Orleans, folks, so hurricanes are not exactly big news to me. But having a hurricane crash your wedding? And still partying it up like no other? That's pretty sweet. The unflappable Cassidy DuHon had me out to second shoot Katie and Josh's rockin' Hurricane Irene wedding at Nationals Stadium. And even though there were no portraits on home plate or the planned outdoor ceremony, it was still an awesome time. I mean, they got to have their first dance in front of this: wedding photographer Amber Wilkie The whole week before the wedding, there were a lot of anxious brides and vendors watching the storm move. I grabbed a screen shot just in case we'd all forget that yes, this was seriously crashing peoples' weddings. I was very happy for Katie & Josh that their wedding was inland. Some couples who planned events on the beach were not so fortunate. Wedding day rain boots! wedding rain boots mother of the bride watches her daughter get ready bride laughs with bridesmaids I didn't realize you could get married at Nationals Stadium before Cassidy called me up about their day - what a cool venue! Teddy came out before the ceremony to warm up the crowd. Teddy Roosevelt mascot during wedding ceremony wedding ceremony at nationals stadium reading during wedding ceremony at nationals stadium bride and groom at nationals stadium first kiss at washington dc nationals stadium wedding sign at nationals stadium decor at the wedding reception patterned flag name cards for wedding reception under the bar at nationals stadium wedding reception bride takes pictures on wedding day Their slideshow played in the main screen over the field. Everybody watched from inside, so there was plenty of cool reflection action going on for a photographer willing to brave the wind and rain. wedding photographer Amber Wilkie first dance with bridal party at nationals stadium family sings at nationals stadium wedding reception dance floor at wedding reception in washington dc bride and groom dancing at nationals stadium hora at nationals stadium wedding reception father of the bride hoisted for the hora dancing at the wedding reception in nationals stadium dancing at wedding reception - funky! wedding cupcakes with eat me sign Little vendor secret: we love when brides and grooms have cupcakes. Then we can steal one to take to our loving spouses, who patiently wait for us to come home every Saturday night. I normally don't like cakes of any sort, but these cupcakes really were divine. Congratulations Katie & Josh! I certainly won't forget this wedding!

What is second shooting anyway?

You'll see me talk about second shooting a lot on this blog.  Because I am constantly second shooting.  In fact, this season (so far and planned out through November), almost every single Saturday that I have not had my own wedding, I have been seconding. Rust Manor House wedding So what is it?  Most of the time, photographers want to have a second photographer for weddings, particularly large weddings.  The second photographer is someone hired by the primary - the person the bride and groom paid to shoot their wedding - for a whole bunch of reasons:
  • Contingency. If the primary photographer trips and breaks her ankle, or both her camera bodies fail, the second photographer is there with a whole set of gear to step right up.