I have been shooting weddings for about 7 years. I have been a photographer in some capacity for most of my life. But a photographer is all I have been when it comes to the world of weddings. I am not a florist. I am not a planner. I am not a stylist, and I am not a chef. I am a photographer. I am comfortable with my Contax 645 and a roll of 400H. I love my clients, and I love what I do.
Rylee Hitchner is an amazing, highly sought after, fellow film photographer, who at 19 years old rose to wedding photography world stardom at a rapid pace. But to know her, you would never know she was a superstar in the wedding world. You would never know because she is a woman that is humble, full of kindness and sincerity. She is beautiful and I feel blessed to know her. She doesn’t try to be anyone but herself. She doesn’t seek out relationships with others to raise her status. She is who she is….she is real…and I love that. Rylee and I became friends about a year or so ago, and when she got engaged, I knew I definitely wanted to be there for her wedding. At one point, in one of our many texting conversations, I asked her if I could help in any way on the day of the wedding. She asked me if I wanted to shoot some video of the day, and perhaps help out the others who were planning and designing her wedding day. I didn’t hesitate, and said, “Yes!”
At Rylee’s wedding weekend, I was able to step into another part of the wedding day and events leading up to it. I had the joy of assisting Katie from Cloth of Gold, Joy Thigpen who is an amazing, world-reknowned, creative director and stylist, and Ginny Au of Bits & Bobs, who is also a wedding stylist and coordinator extraordinaire (whom I love so much, I brought her to Norway to style our vow renewal last month!). I cannot say enough about how much joy assisting all these amazing people brought to me. I was able to assist in a variety of ways…I held babies, I ran errands, I hung tree branches, set up chairs….I realize these all seem like menial tasks, but in actuality it’s all a part of the beautiful symphony that comes together to make a perfect and beautiful wedding. I loved watching and learning from such amazing creatives in our industry. I got a back-stage pass to an amazing event, and felt renewed and refreshed when it was all over.
Thank you, Rylee, for allowing me to be a teeny tiny part of your amazing day. It was perfect and beautiful, and full of grace and love.
Song: Come to Me by The Village Church
If you want to see the wedding photos, hop over to Oncewed, where you can see all the amazing photos that Tec Petaja took.
Laura Murray - I LOOOVVVVEEE it!!!!!!!!!
Stacey - I sooo so so so so love this!!!! You captured everything perfectly! I’ve been doing a bit of both 8mm app and my camera lately too and I feel like even just the phone captures the honesty and giggles of the day so well. This is a magical thing for Rylee and Andrew to have forever. Amazing!
Lynnesy - I’m in love Nina!!! I remember finding rylees beautiful work and I love getting to see a beautiful glimpse into her wedding day! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Adeline - Nina!! This really is SO sweet! You captured all the happiness organically and in such a touching, intimate way! You did a beautiful job!
suzyb - Beeeaaaauuuuuutiful Nina! Great job and congrats Rylee!
Toni Raper - Rylee is extremely adorable! Your footage seems perfect for them xo
Malissa - Oh my goodness. This made me cry. Just like her photos. SHEESH!!!! :’)
joy thigpen - Nina! This is so great! Geeze louise that Rylee is adorable! And I can’t imagine the day/weekend without you–both your help and your company. Thanks again!!