it is no real secret that anslee willett of a.w. photography is a big fan of mine. i mean really, she just can’t seem to get enough of me. she’s always borrowing my equipment, badgering me with questions about the photo biz, asking to tag along to my shoots.

it would be annoying, if any of that were true. stop. reverse.

truth is, huge credit goes to a.w. for encouraging me to go after this, even when owning a DSLR was a mere glimmer in my eye. we met and became friends after i hired her to shoot my family’s photos. she almost couldn’t squeeze us in at the time. what if she hadn’t?? my life might not be what it is now.

i’ll never forget the day she found out from friends of mine and clients of hers that i was considering photo school, a truth i hadn’t had the nerve to tell her myself. i got an email. “so, what’s this about photo school?” gulp. “yes, well, i’ve been trying to work up the nerve to tell you i basically want to be you.”

she said, “speak up, woman!” i don’t know if she regrets having said that, because i haven’t shut up since. regardless, i will reiterate eternal gratefulness to her until i’m blue in the face. even if it makes her accuse me of kissing her you-know-what.

the following images are from a wedding she allowed me to second-shoot with her a few weeks ago. jeff and erin are such a great couple, and i was honored to be a small part of their day.

second-shooting tends to mean i hang with the guys while the ladies are getting ready. score for me, these guys were so fun and up for anything i asked of them. here’s some favs:

the were rightfully proud of their skull-and-cross-bone socks:

and one from the party:

thanks again, ans, for including me and a big thanks to jeff and erin for embracing me on their special day. congrats you two, and get home soon and safe, jeff.

happy weekend, all!

carly