It was so fun to be able to shoot a wedding as Monica’s second photographer. Last year I spent a week in Colorado being mentored by Monica. Monica has been my mentor for a couple of years, but we go way back. Like, 20 years ago back. That’s right! We’re from the Mallard Landing hood! Boo ya! Rep-ru-zent’n! Just kidding! I’m a nerd. Anyway… Seriously, we grew up a couple of houses down from each other but as I mentioned in my last post, we didn’t really hang out because her sister, who is my age, is my best friend and kids who are 4 years older than you don’t hang out with you! That’s just how it works!

Before I go into anything further, please go check out Monica’s blog by clicking here!

I have a TON of funny stories I could tell you from the wedding. From the groom’s mom shakin’ her thang to Baby Got Back, to the beautiful tears of the bride’s father right before he walked her down the aisle and during the father/daughter dance, to our equipment malfunctions, etc. We had a blast! Here’s my favorite photo of the bride and her father during their dance. Just the raw emotion is so beautiful.

This wedding was top notch. Every detail was carefully planned. The wedding took place at First Christian Church of the Beaches and the reception took place at none other than the fabulous Ponte Vedra Inn & Club.

When I met Kristen on her wedding day, I was surprised at how calm she was. She was such a sweetheart and even on her wedding day, was totally selfless. She was glowing with anticipation of marrying her best friend. Here is my favorite of her getting ready.

As we got the church and all of the girls changed into their dresses and the guys changed into their tuxedos, Monica and I were told of the very strict limitations of the church on photography during a wedding. Basically, we had to stay in the back 1/4th of the church. I saw a baptismal up front and off to the side and asked if I could shoot from in there if I was discrete because if we had to stay in the back of the church, we wouldn’t be able to get any shots of their faces. She said no one had ever asked to do that before so she’d have to ask the pastor that was coming in to do the ceremony but she never got back to me. So… When the ceremony started, I put on my “photo-journalist pants” and didn’t ask questions. I just high tailed it to the baptismal. This is a view from the balcony. You see the baptismal off to the left side of that large cross window? It kinda looks like a framed painting on the wall? Yup. That’s where I was. The funny thing was that I wanted to get a couple of different perspectives, so I had to crawl back and forth on my hands and knees on the floor of the baptismal between the two sides so as not to be seen as I crossed. I almost cracked myself up doing that. Monica has better gear than I do, so she shot from the aisle. Anyway, so instead of seeing this view the whole time, you got to see….. (scroll down)

… this one! Ta dah!

And I’m pretty sure no one ever knew… That’s a pretty awesome story eh? lol!

All in all, I had a fabulous time. I also caught a shot of Monica in action. Have a look below. She’s soooo good at what she does and I appreciate her sooo much! I know I always gush about her, but seriously, she has such a giving heart and has helped me with so much that I owe her sooo much!

So, without further ado, here are all 66 photos that I couldn’t choose between narrowing down further for my blog. So… Enjoy!

Jen Shannon Photography

Jen Shannon Photography

Hi there!
I’m Colby, Jen’s husband. I’ve been helping Jen from the start of her business. It’s been amazing watching her go from just a dream of being a professional photographer to blossoming into the professional she is. I’ve been helping her since day one, which was March 24, 2008. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was finishing installing the baseboards in our living room while she was on the couch, pondering starting her own business. Like she usually does, she just made the decision to jump in with both feet. She grabbed her computer, came back to the couch, went to the IRS website and read up on everything she needed to do to start a business. Then she decided to apply for a tax ID. Part of the tax ID required a name. That’s where she got hung up and I stepped in! At the time, she had planned to do both graphic design and photography. She said she wanted something with the words, “Art and Design” in it. To me, Starlight fit perfectly in front of it, but she didn’t like it at first. She loves stars and I like to call her my, “sweetness in starlight” so why wouldn’t starlight work? After she thought about it for awhile, starlight began to grow on her and before I knew it, she was officially Jen Avril-Rae Shannon DBA Starlight Art & Design. She applied and received her tax ID right there and off she was. In August of 2008, she decided graphic design was not for her and went full force with photography. She kept the name Starlight Art & Design for awhile but decided Jen Shannon Photography was her best bet to have people know her name as a photographer.

So, this section is supposed to be about me right? Well, here is where I fit in. I help her in any and every way that I can. In the beginning I helped her with all sorts of technical stuff, then when she’d go on photography jobs I’d set up her equipment while she chatted with her clients. When she started doing weddings I started second shooting with her which is also what I currently do. So… I help her on her portrait sessions with her equipment, accompany her on every job and I second shoot for her at weddings. I also help her when she has IT issues. I’m her “go to” guy

So, with that said, you’ll be seeing more of his work soon!

When asked how Bob met Colleen, Bob grinned and said they met in college in Iowa.  They had dated for five years with one year being long distance from Iowa. He was happy that their big day finally came. As the groomsmen arrived, it began to sprinkle rain and concern for outside pictures grew. Luckily the rain held out for the formals took of the men before the wedding. Doug arrived at the church shortly before the wedding with the bridal party where I met Colleen. As many brides usually are, she was being pulled in about a million different directions but kept her focus on one thing.. She was about to marry her Prince Charming. Here are some photos I second shot for Doug McGoldrick yesterday.

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer

The day started early. Colby and I got up at 3am, were out the door at 4am, at Midway at 5am, and caught or 6am flight to Islip. We arrived shortly before 9 where we learned we would pay ridiculous amounts of money in public transportation costs. We went from the airport (McCormick?) in Islip in Long Island to the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road). After an hour ride we switched to the Flatbush train, rode for about 15 minutes, then switched to the subway and finally arrived in Brooklyn. As we were walking to the hotel, we ran into my two other brothers on the street. I thought, “Oh how nice! They came to greet us at the subway and show us where the hotel was.” Uh, no. They were leaving to go explore Manhattan while they still had time. Apparently we weren’t that special. We saw how it was… hahaa JK Love you guys! Colby went with the guys. I had photos to take so I couldn’t waste any time. I got to the hotel just after 11am and quickly did my make up, ate some lunch, got dressed and got my gear together. From there I took the subway 20 minutes to Crown Heights. All these trains… Good thing I live in Chicago or I would have been totally lost… The train systems are similar, but of course, much better in Chi town

I arrived in Crown Heights and made my way to where Sharon was getting ready. I saw a woman with what appeared to be a bouquet of flowers so in my head I said, “Follow the woman with the flowers!” Sure enough, it was Devorah, the wedding planner for their wedding so I had no trouble finding the house It was there that I was met by Sharon’s best friend who took me to see Sharon. She was so beautiful! Pictures don’t do her justice! From there I started snapping away. To make a long day short, the wedding was beautiful. I was confused for awhile because I’ve never been to a Jewish Chassidic wedding but after all was said and done, I was so happy and proud of the two of them.

Unfortunately for Colby and I, we had to leave the wedding early (just after 9pm) because we had to get up at 4:30am to be out the door at 4:40 (yes, I can get ready THAT fast!) catch the subway and all those other fun trains back the airport to catch a 7:45 flight. Well, let’s just say we didn’t get to bed until midnight, woke up at 4:30am and started the day. Brian, my oldest brother, decided to join us we we ended up out the door a few minutes late, missed the subway train (the next one didn’t come for HOURS!!!) so we ended up taking a $40 cab ride to the LIRR. Everything went smoothly getting to the plane and then getting home around 10am (11am NY time). We came home and went straight to bed. I slept until just after 5pm. I’ll be going to bed again here soon… I’m a sleeper. What can I say? Anyway, here are some photos from the wedding. Enjoy!

The boys in my family… They are so goofy! From left to right. Brian, my oldest brother (glasses), Kevin, my youngest brother (right behind Brian), Menachem (the obvious one… hahaha), Jerry, my Dad, and Colby, my husband.

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer

Jen Shannon Photographer, Chicago Wedding Photographer