They say the devil is in the details and when you’re planning a wedding it’s more true than ever. Couples pick everything from the perfect shade of blue to delicious favors for their guests. So here’s what we consider the best captures from all the details we witnessed in 2008. For an explanation of Best of the Best, click here.

Aaron’s picks: 

Okay, so I usually have an affinity for the elaborate. That being said, sometimes simple is best and this is definitely one of those times. Simple, beautiful, wonderful … I love it.

So simple may just be the theme for this category, but this time let’s add a little abstract. Just in case you can’t figure it out these are upside-down wine glasses at the bar. I really just like the depth and wonderful lines that leave you feeling a bit lost.

We really have an odd relationship with food at weddings. It’s often a work of art in itself, but we seldom eat it. Ususually we’re just too busy running around to worry about it. Besides that it’s somewhat of a tradition for us to pick up Chinese food on the way home. Anyways, this is probably my fav food shot of the year – fun plating and great lines to boot.

Sometimes I wonder why this is one of my favorites and yet I always come back to it, so now it’s on the list. Deal with it.

I didn’t really feel right not having a ring shot so this just slipped in the end. We have tons of great ring shots from the year, but the light makes this jump out at me.

Heather’s picks:

I absolutely love the details at the weddings so this is one of my hardest categories to choose for! I love how they set the tone for the day and pull everything together. Plus I know what it feels like to hem and haw over which shade of pink rose would make the best centerpiece. Yeah, I’ve been there.

Aaron and I almost agreed on our favorite pick, but this one edged out the bouquet because of the reaction it gets from people. There’s something so simple about this picture and I think people identify with that. And it’s a little tongue-in-cheek nod to the passion of a wedding – it just wouldn’t be the same on the “cold” faucet.

That being said, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture. Sitting here now, I almost feel bad that it got the silver – but I’m sticking to my choice. Not only is this bouquet amazing on it’s own, the photography treatment is perfect!

Unlike Aaron, I know why I love this picture – it’s simple but also has amazing depth. I notice the gorgeous name cards and then I’m drawn past that into the reception hall itself and that’s exactly where I want to go!

There are times when you’re shooting and you just know you nailed a shot. When the chef pulled me into the kitchen to shoot these desserts I was in heaven! Great light, beautifully staged desserts and rows and rows of them! This picture makes my mouth water!

If I could give an award for best details as a whole at a wedding, Michael and Ashley would win easily. The centerpieces at their reception were various succulents potted in an array of cigar boxes. Touches of orange, candles and tissue paper balls strung from the ceiling of the the Berg Event Space created an inviting and fun atmosphere!

I think this picture perfectly captures the decadence of a wedding. I love the attention to detail that Kindra gave to every part of her day and the cast of gorgeous yellow light from the chandelier is the perfect accent. Plus this has to be my favorite cake – possibly ever!

Next up – Reception!

You may have missed – E-sessions, Getting Ready and Ceremony

It’s time for the main event - we now pronounce our best of the best. For an explanation of Best of the Best, click here.

Aaron’s picks: 

I’ll be honest, although the ceremony is the most important part of the entire wedding day it always presents the most problems for me. We have that constant internal conflict of how intrusive do we be, how can we be different, etc. The simple fact is that with the millions of wedding ceremonies that have been shot over the years it’s very difficult to be original.  In the end it’s always magical and special, we really feel fortunate to be part of so many beautiful moments.

All the difficulties I mentioned earlier are why I love this image. Simply a beautiful capture at a beautiful moment.

Nothing is better than the genuine emotion that brings tears. I could honestly fill this list with crying mothers… and be happy about it.

This is actually my favorite moment of the ceremony, as the father brings the bride down the aisle – so many thoughts running through both minds. I really think this image tells both stories. 

 Like I said… I love this part. This just happens to be that gorgeous.

Heather’s picks

This picture for me is all about the raw emotion. All involved are trying to hold it together and Kerrie isn’t doing a great job. I love it because anyone who has been married has this moment – this “Oh my god - this is real – I’m getting married”.  I also love that she’s made it down the aisle and there are very few people who even have this vantage point. It adds a bit of “stolen moment” feel. 

We love anything out of the ordinary – even priests stepping into the aisle and away from the couple to give a blessing. I think this is beautifully shot and edited.

This image elevates the ceremony to art. It’s something we’re always striving for but we can be handicapped by our respect for this part of the day. This is just a beautiful image.

Next up – Details!

You may have missed – E-sessions and Getting Ready

Round two of our Best of the Best series finds our couples (mostly our brides) getting ready on their big day! For an explanation of Best of the Best, click here.

Aaron’s picks:

In general, looking over the getting ready images for this year was really fun for me because it’s a chance to highlight Heather’s work. It’s not that I don’t shoot this part, it’s that the girls get to do so much more of it … and Heather enjoys it a lot more than I do. You’ll mostly see my work in the other categories, but this category is definitely her show! 

This is one of my favorite shots of the entire year. I loved it from the moment it came up on screen. Just about perfect in my opinion. 

I love this shot for pure fun factor. We worked Kenzie so hard before the ceremony, she was around for all of the creative time. By the time the ceremony came around she as ready to sleep … even after she got on stage.

Not a lot of words here – just gorgeous!

I love images that tell a story all by themselves. For me this shows the wonderful, nervous jitters before seeing the person you’re about to marry for the first time on your wedding day.

I’ll be honest. I can almost always articulate what I love about an image. This is not one of those times. It’s just one of those random, candid moments … and I love it.

Heather’s picks:

Aaron and I actually overlappped in the getting ready category and this is extremely rare as you’ll see. I think it’s because there were a few images that really floated to the top of the pile. They are gorgeous examples of what it feels like to prepare for the biggest day in your life. I think I’m drawn to the getting ready part of the day because it’s not just about putting on makeup or a dress – it’s about friends and family coming together to help a bride. It’s tender, it’s filled with trust and it’s usually a lot of fun!

The fate of this picture was sealed a few months ago at Aaron’s Professional Photographers Assocation meeting. He grabbed a bunch of images to review as possible entries in an upcoming print competition. When this flashed on the screen, a handful of photographers gasped. What more can I say.

Prior to the PPA gasp, this would have been my favorite image. It’s one we both love (and another that we see each day in our studio). Samantha was a dream to photograph. She is strikingly gorgeous and honestly I could have picked a few favorites from her getting ready shots alone.  

I LOVE Annie’s eyes in this picture! It’s that simple for me. Just stunning!

Next up – Ceremony!

You may have missed – E-sessions

Another fantastic year in the books and we’re so thankful for everyone we met and photographed in 2008. As always, our style continues to evolve and we fall in love with new images after each shoot.

What is best of the best:

We like to take our winter down time to reflect and show you our “best of the best”. This is actually one of the hardest things we do all year. How do you encapsulate an entire year in three (or four or five) images? We’re sure going to try! We have 9 categories (engagement, getting ready, ceremony, details, reception, bride and groom – solo portraits, wedding party, couple, and best overall) and we’ll work to post one or so a week, so be sure to check back often. If you found yourself in front of our camera in 2008, you should definitely keep watch! Feel free to leave comments and let us know if we left out one of your favorites!

First up – Engagement sessions!

Aaron’s picks:

Hands down, don’t even question … this is by far my favorite e-session pic of the year. I really wouldn’t change anything about it – it was taken in my fav area to shoot with one of my all time fav couples. The depth, the emotion … there’s a reason it’s a 40×60 in our studio … believe it!

As clear as the first pic was in the #1 spot – this was clearly #2. It’s another near perfect in my own mind. It was such a gross, drizzly day and poor Carl is as bad as I am about having pictures taken. Beyond that I love the feeling of seclusion mixed with intamacy at the same time. The pink umbrella just finishes it off.

This is one of my faves for many of the same reasons as the one above … seclusion, intamacy … are you sensing a trend? This image also speaks to me because of the subtle emotion in Anna’s expression and simply how much they rock a fashion look.

Okay, so this might be cheating a little. Either one of these separately is no big deal, but together I love it! So the back story is Beth has a pretty ridiculous forced frown and Chuck doesn’t  … they compared and these are the results. Pure emotion and fun – it’s as simple as that!

Heather’s picks:

Aaron and I never pick together – maybe it’s part of our independent nature or just that we never agree on the “best” images. When I told him this was my favorite he immediately started talking about the quality of the picture. I’m just going to put it out there: I don’t pick based on that. Look at this image! How could you not love it!? It makes me laugh and smile – everytime I look at it. Even now. This is life and love - pure and simple.

 I LOVE kissing pictures, especially during an engagement session. Think about it – you are so in love with this person and you can’t wait to get married. It’s natural and intimate and always different. Chuck and Beth won a spot on my list because I particularly love the “just before kiss” shot – the anticipation….

I broke the kissing theme with Kelly and Jason, but I just like this image. I think it’s so cool and fashion. Kelly and Jason are that super cool – always put together and completely loveable - couple, and it’s totally captured here.

Next up – Getting Ready!

Sarah is one of my oldest friends. We met early our freshman year of college and forged a strong bond as two women who were intent on taking over the journalism world at Truman State. Luckily we had our eye on different publications – the school newspaper, The Index, for her and a student produced regional travel magazine, Detours, for me.  I truly believe that Sarah put the circumstances in place for Aaron and I to meet each other. For that I will be eternally gratful to her.

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