Shannon VanDyke Photography

Thanks so much for your kind words Anna! It was truly a joy photographing your special day and I’m so happy to hear the experience felt smooth and that you love your photos — that means the world to me! Thank you again for trusting me with such an important moment, and for recommending me to others. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness! 💕📸

Unfortunately, I was not told that the Bride and one of her Bridesmaids had a disability until I arrived at the wedding. If I had known this information prior to the wedding, I definitely would have advised on adding time and a second shooter. I always ask on my pre-wedding questionnaire if there are any special things I need to know before the wedding and the Groom stated there was none. I also had several phone calls with the couple prior to the wedding and it was never mentioned. I cannot help prepare for a wedding day if I don't have all the needed information. Upon talking with the Bride's Mom and Sister while they were getting ready, I learned that the shuttle was scheduled to pick them up at 12:30pm instead of the originally mutually agreed upon 12:00pm which caused a 30 minute delay that was out of my control. I was then to meet the Groom and Groomsmen at the church to try and make up some of that time but they were not there when I arrived. I was at the church for about 20 minutes before they arrived which caused another delay. Unfortunately, due to all of these time issues, the remainder of the formal photos were rushed and there was nothing else I could do; It was out of my control. As far as my delayed response to emails, I take between 24-72 hours to respond to all emails and do not respond on the weekends, since I am usually at weddings. When this Groom texted me while I was at another wedding, I responded when I got a chance that day to let him know I was at a wedding and I would respond to him the next day. At the time he understood, but it is clear that he didn't understand that I was not going to address his concerns while I was working at someone else's wedding. When I'm at a wedding, that couple deserves my 100% focus. All of the traditional wedding moments were included in their gallery and in regard to any additional requested photos, none were ever mentioned nor sent to me prior to the wedding. I never once refused to take anyone's photos at the reception area. I even took my camera back out of my bag when I was packing up at the end of the night when a guest asked me to get photos of the Bride who had started dancing with her Grandfather, which I gladly did. Open communication is something I strive to have with all of my couples to ensure that a wedding day goes as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately in this situation, I did not receive adequate communication regarding the bride's disability which impacted my ability to give this couple their best wedding day experience.