Can I just start by saying that yesterday, I shared something really deep and heart level on the blog about my dreams for 2016, and was blown away by the response?  Comments, posts, emails, texts, messages from so many dear to me, and so many I have never met and did not even know where there, ushering support and love and interest and investment in Jill Gum Photography. I was moved to tears multiple times (which let’s be honest isn’t saying a TON for me but trust me, it meant SO much) by those gestures.  And all from taking the scary step to say my dreams out loud.  Friends- if there is something you are hustling towards- don’t be afraid to utter it.  I have already seen the power it can have.  I am so so grateful for each and every set of eyes that is reading this- and I am talking to you. Thank you, for taking precious time out of your day to join me on this journey.  I cannot express what it means.

But…today on the blog? Today was scheduled to be funny- entertaining- and TRAGICALLY embarassing on my behalf…it’s our first (now annual) behind the scenes of wedding posts! We hashtag on instagram #GumsBehindTheScenes occasionally and share some of these and other iphone shots of us working- but for the most part, these are unseen!  Among the hustle and work of the wedding day, Michael always tries to grab a few images of me at some point working, and I of him usually carrying dresses or as test shots!! I laughed SO hard while putting this together at my ridiculousness of appearance as I photograph!  Here are a few things I noticed:

1). How often I look like I’m conducting! I guess that is fitting for a recent HS Choir Director  in her first year out of the classroom.

2). How I need a little more variety in my wedding clothing! This seemed to be the year of cobalt blue, I can tell you that!

3). How much less crazy Michael looks than me all the time! I did reference this in our wedding vows so I guess I knew…

4). How I also have apparently developed a wedding hairdo…braided and a low side pony.  Where’s my creativity!?

Jill The Conductor:

That one time the combine was harvesting…IMMEDIATELY next to the outdoor wedding venue! No worries, they stopped in time and it was all beautiful!

Michael, the flash tester (on family formals!).

Caption these??

Sometimes, I play bridesmaids also!

Or I REALLY play bridesmaid also!

Michael hard at work…

Ok that’s just unfair…he was just waiting for me!!! 🙂 Shoes and purses aren’t quite his thing! But…dresses are!

And mine too 🙂

In seriousness, Michael is amazing at what he does, and I am blessed beyond measure to have him by my side!!

(don’t fall in!)

Heading to first looks!

Wow, super crazy (excited??) here!

And when she is my best friend, and I’m in the wedding too, sometimes it involves a hug 🙂

That time I forgot to dress up….

Just kidding- for Amy and Seth’s destination wedding, we photographed a few details the day before to avoid excess sweat and sand in a bridesmaids dress (and to help us PHOTOGRAPH and be IN a wedding at the same time)!

My beautiful new House of Flynn camera bag (#adventuresofgoldyblush) that I adore looking pretty sweet on a party bus!

SOMETIMES I forget that I am not babysitting or hanging out with my little BFFs at home, and make new little BFFs! This one stole my heart.

But friends, I have saved my favorite for last. Michael is an AMAZING dress fluffer and veil floater (technical terms!!)…but one time, he didn’t get out of the way quite fast enough…!

Love you, sweetie!

Friends, it was an amazing year and I can still hardly believe our 2015 weddings are done!  We still have a few more favorites posts to show, some personal 2016 dreams, and one final engagement session from 2015 and then it’s wrapped up and we are off to a new year! We cannot wait to see what it brings! Thanks for being along for the ride! We love you, 2015 #JGPcouples!!!

To view the best of 2015 JGP wedding portraits, click here!

To view the best of 2015 JGP wedding details, click here!