Beyond the Lens

A story behind behind the lens of a wedding photographer

By Sophie Shannon

Wedding Date: August, 30, 2026

Location: York, Maine

Who am I?

Chapter I

Before I started photographing weddings, I always pictured myself becoming a wildlife photographer. I wanted to spend my time outdoors, photographing animals and using my camera to tell stories about wildlife and conservation. That changed unexpectedly when I met my mentor, Cat.

I originally met Cat in November 2025 when I bought a camera lens from her through Facebook Marketplace. After talking with her and learning that she was a photographer, I asked if she ever needed help with her work. I offered to assist her at weddings or wherever she needed an extra hand. I never expected that simple conversation to turn into a mentorship and a new opportunity for me to grow as a photographer.

Since then, Cat has brought me along to three weddings between August and now. Getting to work alongside her has allowed me to experience wedding photography from behind the scenes and learn how much goes into capturing someone's special day. What started with buying a lens from a stranger online became the beginning of an experience that has taught me more about photography than I ever expected.

Typically My Wildlife Photos Consist of

This

Or This.

However Recently, My Wildlife Photos Have Been Looking Like

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Chapter II

The beginning Process:

My first experience as a second wedding photographer taught me that there is much more to photographing a wedding than simply taking pictures of the couple. Working alongside my mentor, Cat, I learned how important it is to look beyond the main events and pay attention to the small moments happening around me. While Cat focused on the bride and groom and made sure she captured the most important moments between them, I had the opportunity to capture the emotions, reactions, and details that could easily be missed.

One of the biggest things Cat taught me was to pay attention to people's faces and emotions. During the ceremony and reception, I looked for the parents watching their children get married, friends laughing together, and the small expressions people made when they thought no one was watching. These moments may not have been the main focus of the wedding, but they helped tell the larger story of the day. I learned that sometimes the most meaningful photographs are not the ones that are planned, but the ones that happen naturally.

I also enjoyed photographing all of the little details surrounding the wedding. While the bride and groom were getting ready, I photographed the rooms, decorations, flowers, dresses, rings, and other objects that helped create the atmosphere of the day. At the ceremony, I captured the scenery around the location, including the landscape and the details that made that particular place special. These photographs helped preserve not only what the wedding looked like, but also what it felt like to be there.

Before the Ceremony Gallery

The Moments In Between

Chapter III

Guest Candids:

One of my favorite parts of being a second photographer is capturing candid photos of the guests. While Cat focuses on the couple and the main moments, I get to look around and capture the smaller moments happening around me. I look for natural reactions, like people laughing with friends, parents getting emotional, or guests enjoying themselves on the dance floor. These photos help tell the story of the wedding and capture moments that the couple may not have seen. I enjoy being able to preserve these genuine moments and turn them into memories that people can look back on for years.

Although my main goal is still to pursue wildlife photography, my experience with weddings has given me a different way to tell stories through my camera. At a wedding, I am capturing the emotions and connections between people, while in wildlife photography, I hope to capture the behaviors and relationships of animals in their natural environments. Both allow me to photograph moments that happen naturally, which is what makes photography so meaningful to me.

Guest Candids Gallery

Capturing Forever Memories

Chapter IV

Final Portrait Photos:

Being a second photographer was not always easy. I was constantly on my feet, moving from one part of the venue to another and trying to stay prepared for whatever might happen next. I had to pay attention to my surroundings, keep track of my camera equipment, and be ready to capture a moment at any time. Weddings move quickly, so there is rarely an opportunity to stop and take a break. At the same time, I had to make sure I was not getting in the way of the main photographer or the guests. It taught me how to work as part of a team while still finding my own opportunities to create meaningful photographs.

Despite the challenges, the joy I experienced made the long hours worth it. There was so much happiness throughout the wedding, from the excitement of getting ready to the laughter during the reception. I enjoyed seeing people come together to celebrate two people they cared about and being able to preserve those moments through my camera. Every photograph became a small piece of someone's memory that they could look back on for countless years.

Being a second photographer showed me how powerful photography can be. I was not just documenting a wedding; I was capturing the emotions and small moments that made that day unique. Following Cat's advice to look for the faces, emotions, and details that she might not have time to capture helped me understand my own role behind the camera. It gave me confidence in my ability to tell a story through photography and made me excited to continue growing as a photographer.