It’s still something that makes me laugh, the way I stumbled upon this love affair with photography. I obsessed over planning our destination wedding in Akumal, Mexico for about two years. Tommy says there wasn’t a day that went by where I didn’t have my hand in the wedding pot during that 24-month span. Looking back, he was right. I was a “bride” enough for 12 weddings. I was nuts and I loved it 😉

One of things I completely went bananas on was looking at wedding photography blogs. OK fine, more like drooling over them. I visited my favorite blogs daily, including our fabulous photographer, Stephanie Williams (now known as This Modern Romance.). But a funny thing happened, after our wedding was over, I continued to visit these blogs. Religiously. Until one day I decided to buy a camera for myself and teach myself to shoot. Some months later, I ended buying another camera and Tommy inherited my first love, my Canon Rebel Xsi. And before we knew it, we were shooting sessions together and the first true challenge we both experienced together was the opportunity to shoot a wonderful wedding on the Dominican Republic shores. After that, the rest they say was history.

Today I am proud to say that Tommy and I are partners in life, love and in business. When prospective clients contact us, they sometimes ask if I have a second shooter. And yes, Tommy is that second shooter, but he’s also so much more. And I say that not just because he’s kinda cute 😀

And extremely corny …

While I am usually the “in your face” photographer giving you directions and tips on posing, Tommy is there getting the shots that I often love even more than my own. And yes, I will not hesitate to express my jealousy over the images he captures …

In a gist, when people ask me, “Can I just have you as my photographer so that it might cut down on the costs?” I then reply with the many reasons why we are a two-person package, but most of all why it’s totally worth it!

So you ask, what exactly does Tommy do? Well …

• He will climb up trees, trample rocks and hide in bushes while capturing shots that you’ll have no idea he took, resulting in images that often leave you breathless

• He will set aside his pride and make you laugh all for the sake of making you comfortable in front of our lens (P.S. my husband is a pretty funny cat!)

• He will not hesitate to jump in the midst of all the action and get those shots that my 5’4 vertically challenged self cannot get but his 6’2 self can get with ease (yes, I am admitting I am short :p)

• He will make sure to get the most important shots, from different angles, so that we make sure not to miss a beat. (Unfortunately, my super power ability to be at more than one place at a time hasn’t kicked in yet, so thank goodness for my hubby!)

• He will not hesitate to tell a bride just how exquisitely gorgeous she looks, then show her proof with a photo that leaves you in awe …

• He knows exactly how to make our grooms laugh and feel at ease just moments before he sees his beautiful bride

• He knows how to make our grooms and groomsmen look cooler than a polar bears toenails

• He often endears those around him so much, they start taking pictures of him, taking pictures 😀

• He rocks the ‘ish outta our tilt-shift lens to get some of the most creatively beautiful shots

• He’s not afraid to get on the dance floor to help the party get started (despite me giving him “the look” AKA “OMG, stop it right now!”) Note, Tommy was dancing too hard so he wasn’t in focus, but look at our groom to the left watching him. hahaha. Oh and to top it off that blurry arm on the right is Cheyenne’s, who worked as our assistant for the day. Yes, I shot them both the evil eye for getting their groove on while we were shooting! LOL (An image from the iPhone archives!)

• He carries all our bags, lighting and equipment when my feet hurt (sorry this one’s a selfish reason, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it. Thanks love!)

• He reminds me how lucky we are to be able to do what we do when I’m feeling down or frustrated on a bad day (P.S. image from our iPhone archives!)

• He gives me motivation, and a consistent supply of ice cold drinks, when I feel like I’m drowning in editing and totally behind on the to-do list 😀 (P.S. image from our iPhone archives!)

I could probably go on and on about the many things my husband does to make our business tick, but most of all, he is my other half and together, we promise to always rock the heck outta your session or Wedding Day because we know how important photos are in preserving wonderful memories. So while our business is currently known as MarieSam Sanchez Photography, Tommy is so much more than just a second shooter. We are a package deal and you are essentially getting two primary shooters when you hire us — yes he is that great of a photographer! Oh before I forget, the kids ALWAYS  love him, especially the little girls … Exhibit A. (A photo that one of the guest took from the wedding we just shot in New York!)

But my husband is not only a great photographer, he’s my partner, my love, and an integral part of what makes this business of ours “go.” And if you ask any of our past clients, they will tell you how much fun it is to work with him. By working alongside him on every shoot, every session, and every wedding, it reminds me just how lucky we are to get to do what we do. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way … (image by the incredible Stephanie Williams Photography aka This Modern Romance)