I set out to create an image that honored Janine & John’s story and their union. John is an astrophotographer and a rocket engineer for SpaceX, so he and Janine have spent aloooot of time under the stars. This afternoon day-after shoot turned into a night sky session that lasted about two hours as we waited for the Milky Way to cross the sky to the exact position we wanted. So we had worked through some ideas and a few nearby spots, but I knew this was where the shoot would culminate.
Day-after wedding sessions are a great way to create inspiring and epic portraits away from the business of a wedding day. Plus, as ornately decorated as some places might be, there could be very few options for fantastic scenery or intimate moments. Janine and John’s wedding venue was in Springdale, Utah, just outside of Zion National Park, and the park is actually the reason for their destination wedding. So it was a no-brainer to head over the day after their wedding.
I especially loved this shoot, and encourage couples to book an extra hour so they can have casual images in their everyday wear. This helps create a more dynamic start to their visual legacy together, especially if they are coming to Utah for a destination wedding and we haven’t had the opportunity to work together on an engagement shoot. The couple then changed as the sun started to set and we made some awesome photos in their wedding garb. A picnic basket full of snacks and beverages provided a great opportunity to chill out and chat as the stars came out. And just wow, this night sky session was off the charts fantastic!
