All Photos © Nikki & Chip Photography

“This. Wedding. Rocked,” say Nikki and Chip of Nikki & Chip Photography in New Jersey. “From the moment we arrived, bride and groom Shanna and Hank and their families welcomed us as if we’d known them forever. That right there set the tone for the entire day—relaxed, fun and filled with so much joy. That also helped take off some of the self-imposed pressure we put on ourselves. Shanna is an accomplished photographer and many of her guests were our photography colleagues and friends. We bring our best to every wedding, but there was a certain feeling of being watched by our peers—although it was all in our heads because, of course, they were enjoying themselves and not paying attention to us!”

The photographers had an earlier start than they’re used to—getting ready started at 7 a.m., Nikki says. “The ceremony, which took place in the charming church Shanna and Hank attend each week, was packed. There was one main aisle and no side aisles. Fortunately, prior to the wedding day, Shanna gave us the heads up about the layout, and told us that we might be limited to where we could move, if at all. That prompted us to have one of our associate photographers, who was a guest, bring his camera and capture what he could from his seat. It allowed us to get images from a different vantage point, which we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to capture.”

By the time Nikki and Chip started shooting portraits, it was high noon with harsh light. “Fortunately, we were able to utilize the awning out in front of the venue, which provided lovely, even lighting for the family portraits and some of the bridal party images,” Chip explains. “When it was time for the couple’s portraits, we walked around the grounds, using open shade where we could find it but also played with the light and shadows. Shanna and Hank were up for anything, which always makes our job easier, and more fun.”

“There was so much to love about this wedding and this couple, but the one thing that stood out the most to us was how their day was so uniquely them,” Nikki and Chip sum up. “From Shanna’s signature glasses, to her wearing her sister’s wedding dress, and their entire wedding color palette being themed around her green tourmaline engagement ring, to the Jeep cake topper—they both have Wranglers—everything represented them perfectly. When I asked Shanna to describe her wedding in one word, she said: ‘Us.’ We couldn’t agree more! Their love was palpable the whole day through, and we were honored to capture it all.”

GEAR OF THE DAY

Cameras: Nikon D5, Nikon D750

Lenses: Nikon 24mm f/1.8, Nikon 35mm f/1.4, Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 58mm f/1.4, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, Nikon 85mm f/1.4, Nikon 105mm f/2.8, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8, Sigma 35mm f/1.4, Sigma 135mm f/1.8

Lighting: Flashpoint R2 Speedlights (on and off camera)

Makeup Artist: Daylin Laine

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