It's a bit ironic, but I hated being photographed growing up. Half of my childhood pictures are of me scowling at the camera, or of me storming out of the frame. My middle and high school years aren't much better -- filled with embarrassing and awkward pictures that I hope never see the light of day again. I'm not exactly sure what changed since then, but photography has since become a major part of my life, and I can tell you why I pursue it today:

The Challenge. When I shot my first wedding, it was hands down one of the most challenging and stressful experiences of my life. Just about a million things need to go right with each click of the shutter. From behind the lens, all technical pieces that I can control need to be in place - the right camera settings, the exposure, the composition. Surrounding the lens, the scene must be interesting, free of distractions, with just the right lighting. In front of the lens, the couple needs to be at ease, relaxed and comfortable enough to trust us with one of the most significant moments of their lives. There are no do-overs in wedding photography -- everything has to be right the first time. I know that there is no such thing as the perfect picture, but it's still a goal that I can strive for.

The People. Whether they make a living flying helicopters for the military, or college students simultaneously planning their wedding and studying for finals, each of our couples have their own unique backgrounds and fascinating stories. Every groom has their story of their proposal gone awry. Every bride has their own elaborate vision of how they want wedding day to look like. But the one thing that we all share in common, is our complete and utter commitment to another person, and with each couple, I feel lucky to be able to document their own personal story.

My Wife. If I were to choose a single reason if why I love photography, is because it's one of the most important activities that I get to share with my wife. Photography is more than a hobby to us, it's the documentation of our lives together. It's the mutual help and encouragement that we give to each other. It's the healthy competition we have between us to get the "winning" picture. It's the the communication and teamwork involved that strengthens our marriage. And for every time that we have privilege to witness another couple begin their own journey together, wedding photography allows us relive one of the happiest days of my life, our own wedding.