Shannon and Chip – Married @ The Perry House in Monterey, CA

Photographing another photographer is nerve-racking. Especially when that photographer is one who is incredibly successful and whose work you greatly admire. When that person is also a good friend, there is added pressure to not only produce technically beautiful photos but also to capture something a little deeper – the emotional spirit of the day.

So, when Chip, who is an accomplished architectural and fine-art photographer (plus friend of ten years), asked me to photograph his Monterey wedding to Shannon, I was not only very honored but, I’ll admit, a little daunted.  That said, I’ve been photographing weddings for more than ten years and I always love the opportunity to up my game another notch. It’s great when opportunities like this present themselves and encourage you to stretch your skills; so, yes, of course, I said: YES! YES! YES!

I first met Shannon when she and Chip decided to come clean and admit that their “just friends” act was no more than that… an act. Chip contacted me to photograph him and Shannon at Larsen’s Park back in 2010 (yor can see the session here.) Then, recently, on the weekend that Chip was planning an elaborate hot-air balloon proposal, they found out that they were expecting their first child. In a matter of a few months, an absolutely stunning wedding was planned at the Perry House in Monterey.

Along with many of their family and friends, I joined Chip and Shannon on the coast for a weekend of fun and celebration, starting with a BBQ beach party complete with fireworks and whales surfacing off the shore.

Sunday was the big day, although it didn’t go off without hiccups. As happens with just about every wedding to varying degrees, the schedule got thrown off quite considerably and early on, meaning I had to work with Shannon and Chip to make some adjustments to our photography timeline. So, after getting ready, we arrived at the beach for some couples shots to see the whales again breaching right off shore. Unfortunately, we only had about 15 minutes to appreciate the scenery before we needed to get back and keep the ceremony on time.

This is where I am so grateful for all those weddings under my belt: knowing how and where timelines can be shortened and being able to quickly work with a couple to get shots that look like they were taken on a much more laid-back timeline, becomes essential in these situations. It also helps to have a wonderful assistant on board to help (big thanks to Jerri Nokes). There’s also a certain “calm in the storm” feeling that experience can bring you too, which helped me keep the mood light, playful and romantic with Shannon and Chip. Lucky for me too, both Chip and Shannon were very easygoing about the whole thing and ready to roll with however it all played out.

By the time we got through the family photographs after the ceremony, we were basically back on schedule.

Thank you to Shannon and Chip for choosing me to capture this special day for you. The spectacular location, the time spent with you both, and seeing the support of your family and friends, were all just a huge treat for me. I’m excited to meet your newest family member in January – what an exciting first year as husband and wife is ahead!

If you would like to see Chip’s work, here are his two websites:Architectural Photography – http://chipallenphotography.com and Fine Art Photography – http://www.chipallenart.com/

Venue: The Perry House, Monterey  |  Coordinated by: EVENTS by Classic Group, Jana Sumavska  |  Videographer: Ryan Wood Cinema  |  Musician/DJ: DJ Andi  |  Florist: Melody King  |  Cake Artist: Room For Dessert  |  Hair Stylist and Make-Up Artist: Lincoln Lane |  Photographer’s Assistant: Jerri Nokes