GO BROKE(N) OR GO HOME
the definition of doing anything for the shot
This is the story of how I shot my first wedding with a broken arm, proving that I will in fact do anything to show up for my clients, with only my best work.
Now it's not the longest story but it is one of my favorites. My first wedding was in March of 2020, for the kind, smart, and beautiful Hannah. I went to college with Hannah and she's the only reason I began to understand a single thing about my chemistry class. When she asked me to shoot her wedding knowing I hadn't had any experience, I felt so honored, my art so valued. And I also felt the most nervous I'd ever felt in my life. Weddings were one of my favorite things in the world, to be a part of the wedding world, to document one, nothing seemed cooler.
Her wedding was going to be in her hometown, a small commute from the city I lived in at the time. We were lucky enough to be close to Tahoe, so the morning of her rehearsal dinner my boyfriend and I decided
to spend the morning snowboarding at Heavenly Resort on our way to her venue. I'm sure you can guess what happens next.
On the very first run down this beautiful mountain, while stopped and waiting for Jackson to catch up, I caught an edge in the ice and fell backwards. And I know what you're thinking, I fell wrong, I let my wrists take the brunt of it. BUT NO. I've been taking karate since I was seven. I know how to fall. When my arm hit flat on the ice none of the witnesses believed I broke it, even Jackson didn't believe me as he caught up and helped me flip over. I couldn't put any weight on it though, and I knew what that meant.
I coooouuuuld tell you my theory about a run in with a skier who rammed into me a week prior and then ran over my arm, resulting in me leaving early and icing it for the night. But the how's and who's
truly aren't important for the current plot. Just know that I'd been snowboarding for years without any injuries.
After being rushed down the mountain in a sled (easily top three most embarrassing moments of my life) and taken to the creepy mountain doctor in what appeared on the outside to be a weird veterinary office, it was confirmed to be broken. The doctor kept telling me I needed emergency surgery. I'm telling you this place had three rooms, he wouldn't let anyone inside with me, I was not staying there and definitely not going under. And I had somewhere to be!
The conversation went a little something like this:
Creepy doctor laughing incredulously, "What do you mean you don't have time for this? You need surgery."
And with my arm in a makeshift splint I fired back, "I have a rehearsal dinner to be at in one hour, and I'm gonna be there."
Jackson helped me gather my boots and my fun little X-rays. I muttered something along the lines of, "my mom's gonna kill me", and we headed off to the cutest little venue at the bottom of the mountain. Along the way I strategized excuses for my sling, "it was sprained," and "it'll be just fine by tomorrow." I practiced using my left hand to take photos, perfecting the idea by the time I reached the parking lot. And just as I was getting all my words in order to explain myself Hannah beat me to it. "Oh my gosh, how did you break it?" followed by a series of professional sounding fracture comments that reminded me she worked as a physical therapist tech.
All I could offer in response was the promise that nothing would keep me from documenting her perfect day, and I was sure it wouldn't make me any less successful in doing so. It was almost like she forgot why we were there, she wasn't worried about herself at all. Like I said, kindest human. I toured the venue, showed off my left handed photo taking abilities and prepped myself for the scariest day that somehow got scarier.
I was in pain, I could barely unbutton my own pants and I definitely couldn't drive, but I could and would show up for this wedding. No doubt.
It was 9 am to 9 pm, a twelve hour venture with my lovely roommate Demi as my second shooter, and some might even say, "right hand man". And I was, maybe shockingly all things considered, entirely sold. It was the most special moment in my photo career thus far. Everything made me cry. It rained the whole day and stopped just long enough for the outdoor ceremony to catch some warmth. Then a light snow fell during bridals, it was so beautiful and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. They had the perfect clear umbrellas at target that saved the day and made the perfect addition to their vibe. And when we left the reception, the snow began to stick and we drove through a white wonderland to their hotel. I took our final shots as Ryan carried Hannah through the door of their room and we waved goodbye.
We spent the ride home exhausted, but more than that I was excited. Fulfilled. I felt like I found my place. And I totally forgot about how badly my arm was throbbing.
The next day my dad, who had driven up to get me from my college apartment in Reno, drove me back down to Vegas for emergency surgery. Only postponed one day due to the pandemic-imposed quarantine that started that very Monday. It was a wild few days, but I would have done it a thousand times over. I loved that day, the photos I got and the people who hired me for my very first wedding. It was such an honor to be the person who got to tell their story with my art, to be the person who continues to tell people's stories through my photos. And I hope I'll do it forever because I'm happiest behind my camera when a couple in love stands in front of it.
thank Jackson for the selfie
Demi, being my (literal) right hand man, love her.