Stories | amanda & Dan

I rarely shoot weddings anymore, but I'm convinced that if I never shoot another one again, it's all good- because of this couple. A quick backstory: I met Dan and Amanda through my dad. He's one of the funeral directors at Morrisette Funeral Home, and was asked to do the funeral for their son, Ryan, who tragically passed away last January from SIDS. When they told him that they were planning a summer wedding and were still looking for a photographer, my dad gave Amanda my contact info. She and I hit it off instantly and began planning for their engagement session later in the Spring.

But what I couldn't tell you in their engagement session post, was that I had been let in on some exciting news. A week before we did their session at Maymont, Amanda texted to tell me that she was pregnant. After losing Ryan, her oldest son, Mason, began asking if there would ever be another baby. It was early, but her ultrasound looked good and if all went well, by the time of their wedding, she would be far enough along to announce it at the reception. So we did a few announcement pictures at the end of their session- one of which would be included in a slide show during their reception. (Which meant that no one other than the three of them, myself, and Amanda's best friend would know about this little secret until then. Pressure! ;-) ) . And yet, the timing of it couldn't have been more perfect or poignant. On the day of the wedding, I think I was just as nervous and excited as they were. I was so afraid of saying anything that would give it away. To make matters more "tricky," Amanda was also dealing with some bouts of nausea, so we did our best to make sure she was able to keep something on her stomach.