May 13, 2008. We where living a very different life a the time. Photography was not even on the horizon yet. I was still grinding out a living at the Casino, two kids and we would welcome baby D later that year. Budget was tight but we where about to have so many life changes very quickly. Marriage, baby and house.
We already had this trip to Vegas planned and booked. Figured "Let's save some money and elope". We aren't into having attention on us and this was the perfect plan to do things our way and not take on debt.
If you are curious, I found the CHEAPEST chapel off the strip. Did a google search and booked the bare bones package. Total cost WITH wedding license and limo to and from the hotel was $240. While there we got talked into the photography package. For $60 bucks we could at least have photo proof that it happened. Keep in mind that cell phones took terrible quality photos at that time. In fact the header photo with the date stamp was from my little canon 2.1 megapixel digital camera. Had to tip the limo driver extra to get him to take the photo on my camera.
After the very fast ceremony, the gentleman quickly uploaded the photos from the camera to a CD and handed them over on site. So, clearly editing did not happen.
19 photos. That is what we got. We looked at them when we got back to Winnipeg, laughed in horror how bad they where and I put them away. They where never given to family. Never printed. Never even saved to a computer.
I had zero knowledge of what made a good photo back then but I knew these where not it. From the weird posing next to a completely fake stained glass window, to crooked photos at very unflattering angles, to me being mid blink and them thinking "yeah that's a keeper". I just could not have these photos adorn any walls.
Fast forward to 2025 and I find the CD in storage. Guess what, none of our computers even had a CD drive anymore. (Tip for all of you who use CSBs or CDs to store photos, don't). Yes, I had to get an external CD drive just to access these beauties.
How did this make the cut????
I am well aware that $60 would not get us much. But this....
I had a good laugh going through these years later but also admit it is one of my few life regrets. I regret not finding a good photographer in Vagas and having real wedding photos. We have done some amazing couples shoots since our wedding, including one in Red Rock right outside Vegas for our 10th anniversary, but I cannot get that wedding back.
I have also been fortunate enough to capture dozens of gorgeous weddings in my career. And I would always have those moments of "ugh I wish I had that of me".
And just for reference, my husband has aged like freaking fine wine. But that photographer did him dirty. The second photo I took last month during our family session.
Life lesson here. The milestones happen once. Budget for what matters to you. For me, photography is one of those things you just don't want to regret years from now. Cell phone photos are great, cameras are incredible now, but nothing can replace the skill and eye of an experienced photographer that captures the real you.
- Sunny
PS. These photos have NEVER been posted online. So I hope you have a good laugh with us.
0 Comments