Through Their Eyes: Wedding Day Moments Our Photographers Love Most

Every wedding is a collection of unforgettable moments, some bold and breathtaking, others quiet and beautifully unplanned. We have asked our principal photographers to share the shots they love capturing most on a wedding day. Their answers? Just as thoughtful, creative, and full of personality as the couples themselves. Take a peek behind the lens for a look at the moments that truly make the magic.

John:

1. All-time favorite moment would have to be the ceremony recessional. The flood of relief and the overwhelming joy is palpable. When the bride and groom exit their ceremony, it’s probably the most unrestrained celebratory moment on the wedding day.
2. A very close second would be everything happening between a father and a daughter before the door is open and she walks down the aisle. Similar to this, would be when dad walks into the room after she’s dressed and does a first look with his daughter.
3. A very close third would be the moments immediately after the bride is dressed and her mom and her sisters and maid of honor helping her, and reality really sinks in quick and it’s a very special moment.
4. Fourth might be the reception details themselves in the 20 minutes before guests walk in to the party. I think there is something so beautiful about all of the intentionality and thought that goes into preparing for a stunning event. It feels like a hunt for details in thoughtful places.
5. Lastly, beyond capturing, what is of course going to be playing out in front of us as photographers, I love when we are given the opportunity to truly create beauty that otherwise wouldn’t have happened because they willfully prioritize and value our capabilities and allow us time to do so in the ideal settings (location/daylight). For a variety of reasons, it doesn’t always happen, but when we get to create portraits for a couple on their wedding day with incredible scenery, fashion, environment, and (most importantly) joy-yeah it’s really magic.

Stephanie:

1. Grandparents seeing the bride for the first time! There’s something so sweet about capturing this tender moment. A beautiful mix of nostalgia, love, and pride as generations connect and emotions overflow. It’s a genuine, heartfelt snapshot that feels timeless and deeply personal.
2. Moments before the bride walks down the aisle with dad. The quiet anticipation, the nerves, and the unspoken bond between a father and daughter create a powerful, emotional pause. It’s the calm before the most significant walk of her life, one her father has likely envisioned since the day she was born, filled with a blend of excitement and vulnerability. 
3. The bride is getting ready and having her moment of realization. That instant when everything clicks, whether when the dress fits perfectly or the makeup is done, it’s the reality of the day sets in. For every bride it’s a different moment when it sets in and is so beautiful to witness and capture. It’s a fleeting yet unforgettable expression of joy, calm, and readiness that captures the bride’s true emotions before the whirlwind begins.
4. When the bride comes out in a second look. Whether it’s a dress change or a new hairstyle, this moment signals a fresh burst of confidence and excitement. The shift in energy is palpable, often turning the day’s rhythm into something lighter, funnier, and more playful making for some of the most dynamic and joyful images.
5. The private last dance can be one of the most intimate moments of the day, making it a favorite. The world fades, and it’s just the two of them, fully present for possibly the first time all night. It’s quiet, intentional, and beautifully unposed, the perfect ending to their story.

Matt:

1. As the bride is getting into her dress the morning of. She and her mom see her in her dress, all their hard work and effort putting everything together suddenly comes to fruition.
2. So often dads underestimate the impact of that pivotal moment seeing their daughter in her wedding dress and any effort to keep it together comes crumbling down in a beautiful display of adoration and vulnerability.
3. Just before the bride and dad walk into the ceremony, there is quiet anticipation between dad and bride. They are about to share this gift with everyone at the ceremony and just before, the world seems confined to just the two of them.
4. Just after they exit the ceremony, it hits them that they’ve made it. They’ve done it. The execution of the ceremony can be a tremendous responsibility and suddenly it dawns on them that they are married and now it’s time to celebrate.
5. During sunset portraits or after just after the ceremony portraits, bride and groom immediately after ceremony before seeing everyone because in the moments I am forgotten, genuine emotion comes out and the most beautiful authenticity shines. Weddings are about joy and family and union and during these times, the best of that experience comes through unfettered. The moment when the bride and groom have almost fully experienced their day and so they understand the joy and beauty of it. It’s written all over their faces and this time allows for them to step back and breathe it all in before returning to their guests.