RF Wedding of the Week: Illinois Apple Orchard Wedding Ceremony by Steve Sangalang

For another chapter in the book “Professional Photographer Hiring Fellow Professional Photographer to Shoot His Wedding,” we give you the nuptials of a couple that we’re all a little enamored with.

All images © Steve Sangalang

Marcus Smith (a commercial photographer who was named one of PDN‘s 30 in 2014) and adorable bride Courtney were married at the All Seasons Apple Orchard in Woodstock, Illinois. Smith asked his buddy, Steve Sangalang—by day an editorial and documentary shooter—to be on hand for the event, and the results are raw and natural.

“This wedding was special for me because Marcus happens to be a good friend of mine,” says Sangalang. ” We have worked together, played basketball together, and even sat on a bridge for 14 hours together. I was honored when he asked if I’d photograph his wedding for him.”

Sangalang says the main challenge of the day was weather. “Not an hour before the ceremony, it began to rain very heavily. We all held out hope that the rain would abate, but Courtney had to make the call so that the wedding venues’ staff could prepare for an indoor ceremony. This also meant that instead of doing all of the couples portraits outside on the pastoral farm, we would have to settle for indoor portraits.  The couple’s wedding planner and the staff at the venue did an amazing job setting up for the ceremony, and it all went off without a hitch.”

“Luckily, the rain let up during dinner and we were able to hustle outside and get some great shots,” he continues. “Courtney and Marcus were great sports about getting a little wet and dirty.”

As far as gear, Sangalang brought in his Think Tank Retrospective LC3 bag a Nikon D800, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART (“Love this lens!” he says), Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I, 105mm f/2.8 macro and a Nikon SB-800.

“I’ve shot plenty of weddings for friends before, but to have another photographer (not to mention one as talented as Marcus) ask you to shoot their wedding, it’s about the highest compliment I can think of,” says Sangalang.

See more of Sangalang’s work here.