The first wedding I ever photographed.

The first love story. The first union between two people who trusted me to capture their intimate celebration with honesty and individuality.

I went in with sweaty hands. Trembling confidence. My camera was fifteen years old. I had practiced recklessly. I had devoted every second to learn everything I needed to know before photographing this wedding.

It was a very pivotal day. Not just for the couple, but for my perception of the wedding industry. I had no idea what to expect documenting a small wedding. I’m a severe introvert, and the thought of talking to people for over eight hours, trying to be perfect, and emulating a style that wasn’t fully realized yet..

It all left me quaking.

But, from the moment I walked through the doors of their venue—a private log cabin reserved for veterans in Arlington, Washington—I knew I was given the most blessed opportunity possible.

I’ll never forget the genuine emotion that radiated from person to person, the narrative unfolding between bouts of laughter, breaking tradition, and weaving the threads between two people who valued each other’s appreciation of each other more than the promise of glamor, traditional beauty, or fanciful venues.

This is a glimpse into that day.

I hope you enjoy revisiting this as much as I did reminiscing, writing about it two years later.

For this wedding story, I’ve included only black and white photographs for viewing. Mostly because I want to—and while I love color and tone, black and white has my heart—but also because I think it beautifully captures the timeless, more candid moments of a celebration I will never forget.