And then it happened. Someone wanted me to photograph their wedding! I had avoided this moment – even telling people I was exclusively a portrait photographer… Me and my fears. I told him I don’t have any experience, I never photographed a wedding before, but Mario insisted. He said they liked my portraits and they wanted me to do it. To shoot their wedding. And so I did it!
The fact that it was a short coverage (1,5 hour) and that I was bringing Jaanus to help me and second shoot during the ceremony made me feel a little more confident. The weeks before the wedding I was a nerve wreck. I was so scared! And so excited at the same time! I was wondering how it would feel… I studied about wedding photography, posed family portraits, photo-journalistic coverage… I orchestrated my moves together with Jaanus and off we went. Our first work together! Our first wedding!
After the first clicks I was feeling more relaxed. I decided to not worry about the photography. I know my limitations and so did my Bride & Groom. And I also know my strengths. And so we relaxed, we mixed with the guests, talked to them, made them comfortable – my language skills came very handy, as some of the guests could only speak Spanish (I also speak Portuguese, English and French – hoping to speak Swedish too one day! haha!). We became invisible and snapped some amazing candid shots of the kids playing, the bride’s parents playing with their grand-daughter and the bride and groom being cute to each other.
Then it was time for the ceremony. Butterflies in my stomach. Big responsibilities. And so much love. That little family starting right there, in front of us. Young like us. In love, like us. I covered one angle and Jaanus the other. And we did our best. We relaxed and let the emotions do the job. We shot everything that got our eyes, everything that touched our hearts. The surprising expression the groom did when asked if he wanted to get married. The proud look in his father’s eyes. The loving eyes of her mother. The tears in the eyes of my Bride. The tears in my eyes.
Mario and Ulrika got married at Stadshuset, Stockholm during late August 2012. It was the first time I photographed a wedding and I am so grateful for their trust. I am proud of what I achieved and they are very happy with the results. And you know what? I guess I got hooked to it. Can’t wait for the next wedding!
I want to thank Grow by Kelli & Caisa for the beautiful bouquet. It was so beautifully executed, so fresh, and the roses were BIG. Little note for eco brides: Grow only works with 100% ecologic and local products.
And another big thanks to Fatma Tuncer of Ecohair! The hair-do was beautiful, perfect for the warm summer day we had, and the company is 100% ecologic. My bride was happy :)
Little sexy moment :)
Mario and Ulrika asked me not to publish photos where they and their family could be recognized and that’s why I blogged only detail shots and creative portraits. But it doesn’t matter. You can still feel some of the love and the mood of the day. Enjoy!
Photography: Maira Martins & Jaanus Kalli | Ceremony venue: Stadshuset / Stockholm City Hall | Hair: Ecohair | Flowers: Grow
~maira
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