2019: Behind the Scenes, Part 1
Athens Atlanta Georgia Photographer

January 11, 2020

It’s time for my annual “behind the scenes” blog!  If you missed it in past years, I did it in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 as well! It’s fun looking back through the years and seeing how my journey has evolved… from my equipment to the outfits I’ve worn to the venues I’ve photographed at.

This is always a fun post for me to put together, because I never know what it’s going to look like. It’s 100% dependent on what moments other people happened to capture. Throughout the year, assistants or second shooters or even my clients’ friends/family will snap photos of me working (I never know when it’s happening!). And any time I stumble across a picture of myself in action, I store it in a folder and forget about it until the end of the year. So this post is a compilation of the random moments I’ve been caught on camera in 2019. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s real. :)

I also love putting together this post each year because it reminds me of all the INCREDIBLE weddings I am blessed to photograph and clients I get to work with.

Some key takeaways from looking through these images…. 1) I apparently swore by one specific jumpsuit for 99% of my weddings this year. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? Thank you, Old Navy, for providing this polka dotted piece! 2) My trusty dusty orange crate is still the best step stool I’ve found. And it’s apparently something I’m becoming known for, as people will mention spotting me from far away by seeing my orange crate.

Anyway, this is the most photos you’ll ever see of ME on my blog, so enjoy! :)

And stay tuned for PART 2, where I’ll show some “before and afters” of the images I create and my thought process behind them.

Most importantly, THANK YOU to every couple and client who trusted me and my team to capture your memories in 2019. Truly. It is the greatest honor and blessing.

georgia wedding photography teach mentorgeorgia wedding photography teach mentorgeorgia wedding photography teach mentorgeorgia wedding photography teach mentorbehind scenes georgia photographer weddingsbehind the scenes atlanta athens photographeratlanta wedding photographer behind the scenesgeorgia wedding photographercallanwolde wedding photographerbehind scenes georgia photographer weddingsgeorgia photographer mentor teachbehind scenes georgia photographer weddingsbehind the scenes atlanta athens photographerathens georgia photographer mentorbehind scenes georgia photographer weddings

When you’re too short and don’t have time to get a stool…

behind scenes georgia photographer weddingswedding photographer athens georgia

When you don’t realize you’ve planted yourself in mud until you get up…

behind the scenes atlanta athens photographerbehind the scenes atlanta athens photographergeorgia photographer mentor teach

Sometimes I quietly scoot up the aisle to snag a specific shot (seen above), but 99% of the time my team stays far away and shoots with zoom lenses during ceremonies so that we aren’t distracting (seen below). It’s funny how many guests will tell us at receptions, “We didn’t even see photographers at the ceremony!” Mission accomplished.

wedding behind the scenes georgiabehind the scenes rain weddingphotographer georgia studio mentor teachbehind the scenes atlanta athens photographerathens ga wedding photographer

I promise I’m not bossy, despite what these next photos indicate…

behind the scenes atlanta athens photographerbehind scenes georgia photographer weddingsbehind the scenes atlanta athens photographer

This next photo shows what “family photos” looks like on a wedding day. My assistant always holds the list of specific groupings, and we cross them off to ensure not missing any important people.

georgia photographer mentor teach

Speaking of assistant, I’ve talked about my dream team in past blogs… But basically, my assistant is there to be an extra set of hands to help out where necessary. From carrying long dresses to fixing hair to pinning boutonnières to fetching the bouquet — we do it all! Our goal is that our brides and grooms don’t have to worry about a thing on the wedding day! We will make sure everything is picture-perfect… and even help create some “veil magic” when there simply isn’t enough wind. :)

behind the scenes atlanta wedding photographerbehind the scenes atlanta wedding photographerwedding assistant georgia photography studiowedding assistant georgia photography studiobehind the scenes atlanta wedding photographerbehind the scenes atlanta wedding photographerbehind scenes atlanta photographerwedding photography assistantbehind scenes atlanta wedding photographergeorgia wedding photography studiogeorgia wedding photography studiogeorgia wedding photography studio

I love this next photo because it shows Melissa, my AMAZING assistant who was with me at every wedding for 2+ years, still working as long as she could while pregnant. She’s a true champ and served my clients so well while she was on the team.

wedding assistant georgia photography studio

She even helped transport bridesmaids around a venue when the ground was too icky to walk on…

athens wedding photographer

I call this next sequence “Standing in random spots to test lighting.”

behind scenes atlanta wedding photographerwedding assistant georgia photographerwedding assistant georgia photographerwedding assistant georgia photographerwedding assistant georgia photographerwedding assistant georgia photographerwedding assistant georgia photographerwedding assistant georgia photographer

I love everything that being a photographer entails. Here are some random things I loved throughout the past year…

When I got to take home stunning floral arrangements by The Holly Garden at the end of the night.

georgia photographer

When I was surprised by having the most adorable 4-year old assistant join for a session. You can see her holding up dog treats in the photo on the right … helping me get the dog’s attention.

photography assistant cutephotographer georgia studio mentor teach

That time my second shooter & I accidentally showed up matching.

georgia wedding photographer

That without fail, I am always pulled onto the dance floor at least once every year…

georgia photographer

When I get to see PAST brides & grooms of mine at weddings!!! ALL THE LOVE!

georgia wedding photographergeorgia wedding

Finally, I want to give one more shout out to my amazing assistant, Melissa. This was her last year on the team, and I can say confidently that every client who got to meet her loved her. Thank you, Melissa, for all you’ve done for us!

georgia assistant wedding

Hope y’all enjoyed getting a glimpse of the “behind the scenes” of the photos I take. Stay tuned, because soon I’ll be posting PART 2, where I take you into my thought process while creating the images I capture.

Claire Diana
Latest posts by Claire Diana (see all)