I have to admit, I would never be where I am as a photographer and a businesswoman without my husband. Although I have been photographing people long before I knew Mark, I was scared to really GO FOR IT until after we were married and he supported me all the way. Throughout the years, there have been times when I’ve wanted to quit. There has been frustration, fears, tears… Times when I thought I was failing and I couldn’t face it. Mark has been there through each of these times to say, “You can do it. You’re talented. You’re strong.” When he started working with me on weddings and other shoots, my skills only improved, and Mark grasped the artistry and skill of photography quickly. I couldn’t do this without him, so here is a little glimpse of the man behind the woman.
Q: What’s your least-favorite thing about working with your wife?
A: When we are setting up a shot and she asks me to run back to the camera bag for one single thing at a time, and then another single thing, and another, and…. Well, you get the idea.
Q: Is it true she taught you everything you know?
A: Of course not, I taught her everything she knows.
Q: Is it true that she fires you on every shoot?
A: Yes. Every time. And then she still expects me to work after being fired. Talk about an Evil Task Master. At least now her intern McKenzie knows my pain.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about photographing weddings?
A: One of the things is Cake. It is one of the perks. Also, getting to spend the close time with a couple starting their married life together and seeing the love between them.
Q: Is it true that you are a man of few words?
A: No.
Q: Is it true that you’re the brains behind the operation?
A: Yes.
*Editor’s note: This is false.
*Interviewee note: Yes, it is true. Ok, maybe not all of the brains, but just the important one.
Q: Why is your cat so mean?
A: Why are you saying she’s so mean, Elmira?
Q: Why do you constantly get fired?
A: Because I talk back. And my boss can be a real idiot. She thinks she owns me or something. You all have had a boss like that, haven’t you?
Q: Who is the most beautiful woman in the world?
A: Charlize Theron
Q: Who’s the SECOND most beautiful woman?
A: ………..
*Editor’s note: Mark got hit in the arm.
Q: Why do you insist on leaving your shoes all over the house?
A: Cuz I can. It’s my house too.
Q: What element makes a husband and wife photo team so powerful, in your opinion?
A: After attending so many weddings, (and yes I know what some of you are thinking right now), you come to know what is going to happen throughout the day. That helps to make a good photographer. Being a husband and wife photo team, we not only know what is going to happen and when, but we are able to communicate with each other without having to really talk to each other. As a married couple, we already know what the other one is thinking. So that really helps us to operate like a well-oiled machine when photographing a wedding. (Except when she starts asking for that one-at-a-time item from the camera bag.)
Q: How many car accidents has Dawn been in?
A: What does this have to do with anything? And FYI, more than me. That’s the important thing, and that’s why I drive when we go to weddings.
Q: What’s your least favorite thing about wedding photography?
A: Really, nothing. My least favorite thing is photographing a wedding when it feels like it is a thousand degrees outside in the blaring sun. I know that I’m feeling the heat, and I know the wedding party is too.
Q: Why do you have stuffed animals on your dresser?
A: Because every time I throw them off you put them back.
Q: What’s your favorite meal that Dawn cooks?
A: She can cook??? Kidding. Her chicken cacciatore.
Q: Do you REALLY think you do not snore?
A: I don’t snore as much as you claim. I have the recordings to prove it!
Q: What’s your favorite photo shoot so far?
A: There have been so many shoots that were fun, and so many that we have gotten wonderful shots at, but I would have to say Morgan and Paul’s wedding. It was simply that once we arrived at the family’s beautiful country home for the back yard wedding that had a stunning cliff top view overlooking a valley, everyone treated us like we were simply another set of old, close family friends. The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was a good ole simple country style one, at the local fire station. We got some beautiful unique shots of the couple in the fire station and with the fire truck. At the end of the night, when everything was wrapping up and we were saying our good byes, and how much we really enjoyed working with them and their family, Morgan and Paul thanked us and revealed to us that our fee was actually half of their wedding budget and that they were really happy that they chose us. That impressed me in two ways: one, that you can have a full beautiful wedding and reception without spending a fortune, and second, that they were so impressed with our work that they would spend that much of their budget to hire us. So that became my favorite shoot. I’m not saying that others haven’t treated us like friends, but that time just really stayed with me.
I guess I do have to admit that, even though “I” am the brains behind the company, Dawn is really the talent. So it is really thanks to her talent that we get hired by couples like Morgan & Paul, Allison & Tyler, Christina & Tim, Lauren & Josh, Julie & Cody, Jessica & Bobby, and way too many others for me to list here. Thank you to ALL of the couples and others that have hired us and allowed us to share in your big day or your special photo shoot.
See, I’m not a man of few words. Told you so!
*Editor’s note: Now I’m going to make Mark some of that special chicken cacciatore (my Nonnie’s recipe) because he’s so awesome!