Annapolis Wedding Photos on a Yacht

I’ve never been one to step away from a challenge. So when Rebecca and Clay met with me to discuss shooting their wedding on a moving yacht in Annapolis, VA, I was stoked to be a part of their big day. Rebecca and Clay are a dream couple to work with. The two are entrenched in geek culture, going so far as to do a Star Wars-themed engagement session at Asbury Park. They laugh at each other’s silly jokes, listen to punk rock and love their furry children.

The day of their wedding started off quiet enough. I had to get to one side of Annapolis to photograph Rebecca and then head over to Annapolis Landing Marina to meet up with Clay and document his bridal party. Rebecca looked fabulous in her vintage-inspired gown bespoke with a skull butterfly in her hair. Not to be outdone, Clay and all his groomsmen were decked out in matching kilts and traditional adornments from the waist down and tux suits and bowties from the waist up. You couldn’t ask for a more dapper bunch.

So what was so challenging, you might ask? Immediately after boarding the yacht, a black cloud of doom appeared over the Severn River. The captain smartly anchored the boat and encouraged us to expedite the nuptials. The couple’s close friend, Luke Powell, officiated a lovely ceremony on a packed top deck while I attempted to learn how to shoot while balancing on one leg. Let’s just say walking backwards on a moving ship while focusing through a lens is not an easy thing. Luckily, I didn’t fall. Clay smashed the glass, kissed his bride and the party was on.

The weather held up for portraits, which we banged out as quickly as possible on a lower deck while the crew moved everything inside for a very intimate (and dry) reception. Rebecca and Clay didn’t seem to mind one bit. As the storm whipped up around us, friends and family danced, ate and drank the night away. Nothing but smiles permeated the room, even as the Annapolis waterfront flooded over in front of or eyes. The scene was surreal, and it took an extra hour or so to get off the boat, but it was so worth it. They say that rain on a wedding day is good luck. If that’s the case, Rebecca and Clay banked enough luck that night to last a lifetime. Mazel tov.