Charlotte NC Wedding Photographer. Lindsey Lee Hartsell

Last year on our 5 year anniversary I posted a tribute to Joe and a Behind the Scene's look at us while we are working.  The post made us laugh, a lot, so we decided we would make it tradition to try and post a behind the scenes look every year in January.  Well, it's Feb 3rd, we almost made it!

I'm one of the lucky ones- having a career that I love and someone that I love that I get to do it with!!  Joe is my dedicated second shooter(hands off other photogs who want to borrow him to second shoot with them!)  Joe does not work in the business day to day, but on weddings days he puts on his best (only) wedding outfit and off we go!  We have a blast together!  At this point, we have shot so many weddings together that we sorta have an unspoken language that happens on weddings days.  I know what shots he's getting, he knows what shots I'm getting and we just have this flow that we have settled into.  Sure, each wedding day brings it's own unique set of circumstances, but we have found a model that works for us uniquely.  I think because of this flow, we are able to be relaxed, help our clients to remain calm on what can sometimes be a stressful day, and to help everyone to have fun and keep the focus on what's important!  There's not a wedding day that goes by that we didn't have a blast and make and meet friends along the way!

The days are long, some of them are VERY hot, but we get to spend them with the best clients in the world celebrating their love!!  A little P.S.A:   you are about to view more photos of my backside than you want to see(some right on the heels of having a baby, that's nice.) AND yes, we do mostly wear the same clothes to every wedding:)

One of Joe's favorite things in the world is when the bride is itty bitty.  Melissa is a tiny little thing.  Makes his job easy because it usually means the dress is tiny, too.  Below: Joe was the expert on veil placement:)  He has some really good self esteem to hang with gaggles of women all day and not be worried about being the guy in the room that cares about dress wrinkles and lace.  I love this about him.  He's an Eagle Scout but can fluff crinoline with the best of them!

Joe shooting Fusion of a first look.

"Joe, go stand over there and pretend like you are smoking a cigar".

Shorties on the right, please.

There is something SO wrong about this left image! ha!  On the right, the bride's feet hurt her so bad but we still had a good amount of walking to do.  We decided to switch shoes and let me tell you, those things were a torture trap!  I don't know how she did it for most of the day!

Jazz Hands!!!!

We really thrive in the demonstration arena.

Can't have all the single ladies cutting their feet on glass.  Joe to the rescue!

I would have never gotten the dress there.  Thank goodnessI married this tall drink of water.

Light for the exit, please.

In action.

It aint a party until the groom and Joe break it down.  We also see friends all year long- past bridesmaids/groomsmen/people on our "wedding circuit".  Each wedding is a mini reunion!

Aside from wedding photographers, we would like to add to our resume: People Movers.

Joe! The bride's shoe keeps falling off!

We need Light...We need Shade!

Joe, please stop being so bossy.

I have moms ask me all the time how the dress keeps from getting dirty.  The answer? Joe.

Show the brides what they want to see!

Let's just get up on this rock.

This wedding so beautiful, but oh so hot. And most of the day was in full sun.  Just looking at this photo makes me hot, but gosh, thats such an amazing venue.

It's ok ya'll, we know them.

This photo still makes me laugh so much!

If you have an aversion to people touching you or getting in your face….please don't hire us.  I say that in the most respectful way possible:)  Joe couldn't even help himself at his own sisters wedding!

Various light checks.

For me?!

Hmmmm??? No words:)

A very common phrase in our life: "The boobs look wierd".

Crouching Tiger Hidden Photographer.

Believe it or not by their facial expressions, I am telling them how to make magic…they are just soaking it in:)

Jenn's wedding was super HOT.  If you don't mind, we don't mind…we'll even hold your sweat rag for you.

We can stand by and watch…painfully….or we can just help move things along:)  We're here for you and we know a thing or two about bouts, bowties and cufflinks, too:)

So, I thought the stockings with the pants looked better than it is actually translating here:)  Joe opted for the man scarf.  It was approx 30 degrees outside.  Judge me later.

This isn't the time for a chip break, Joe!

Hydration is key in this job:)

Hope you all enjoyed this behind the scenes look!  The job is super fun, but not always glamourous:)  We look forward to such an amazing year ahead filled with even more fabulous couples!

On Friday Joe and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary!  I don't feel like we've been married but for a minute, or that we are even old enough to have 'almost' two kiddos!  Time truly does fly when you are having fun! Those who know us personally know that I am a bit spoiled by this wonderful man...and those who REALLY know us are laughing at the VERY true reality of that statement! I get it, I'm lucky:)  He is the best husband I could have never even dreamed up, and that's no lie.  But really, enough sappy...he's just really great and I am so thankful for him.  Thankful for the husband and dad that he is, and for who he is to our family.

Which brings me to my next point:  One of my favorite parts of this job are getting to do it with Joe! For the last few years we have shot every wedding together and have developed a bit of telepathy when we are working.   A large number of photos on this blog are his- but he doesn't care much about credit.  In fact, I have to MAKE him look at the blog posts to see all of his great shots.   This year, when I have been pregnant for roughly 90% of the weddings we shot, he has really picked up the ole preggo slack- and has done more than his fair share without complaint.  He is such a patient, patient individual..and one of the most serving and selfless people I have ever known.  I've been collecting some photos we take of each other over the past few wedding seasons and have been wanting to share them for such a long time.  Since I am in total nesting and purging and 'get things off my to do list mode' there is no better time!  We just really love our job as wedding photographers.  We love working together and we love working with such amazing clients. And I love having such a talented and helpful hubby who just makes things fun!  For me and for our clients!

Here is a little behind the scenes glimpse of us when we are working.  Really, mostly back of the head shots..and mostly of Joe, but still a few good ones.  Enjoy the commentary as well:)  Happy 5 years, babe!

Some of these weddings haven't even hit the blog yet so get excited! Oh, and don't judge us because we may or may not only have like 2 wedding outfits that we wear.  You know, we like to keep it classy.  Once you find the outfit you can sweat, bend, freeze, move in....you tend to stick with it;)

Professional flower and dress holder...and crinoline adjuster.  Joe will fluff that crinoline before you can even blink!

If we can work a 5d mark 3, we can work an iPhone;)

Joe is 6'4".  He's the best at getting "All the Single Ladies" in order!

Some people are more excited than others about the bouquet toss!  Check out that wing span!

Again, the height is good for so much- like running as fast as possible out of my shot in three strides so I can get the veil in the wind after tossing it up.  And doing that, oh, about 15 times in a row.

Gotta love a man who is not afraid to manhandle a dress.

Don't know how to cut your cake? We're here to help:)

Honorary bridesmaid: Joe.

Let me fix those hairs for you!

We're really fun.  I promise.  Most of these ladies are smiling and having a great time- even though it was February and FREEZING!

Peek-a-boo!

See, we're fun!

Dude, get out of my shot!

Light, more light!

Dark first dance- can't have that.  More light, Joe!

Train and Veil Wrangler to the rescue!

Light check.

Don't mind us, just fixing the train. Again.

and again.

More single ladies.

Whenever Joe shows the bride a shot on the back of his camera and they start oohing and ahhing, I have to run over and show them mine.  You know, to prove I got a good one ,too;)  Healthy competition.

We probably adjust the veil, oh, 200 times in a wedding day.  We are quite psycho about it actually.

Ok, now look longingly into each other's eyes.  Ha!

A rare belly bump shot. This was almost 2 months ago. Use your imagination to think of how HUGE I am now.

"Joe, go pretend you are the bride and walk down the isle so I can check the white balance."

Let's all try to really not fall into the fountain.

Dont mind Joe while he creepily touches you;)

Sarah, you look awesome...but again, the veil.  It needs attention.  Joe to the rescue!

This spot of grass, not that spot of grass.

Hope you've enjoyed this behind the scenes look!  Can't wait to recap our year later this week on the blog.  I know 2014 is going to be fabulous with our new baby boy addition coming soon.   We will have much to share.  Enjoy some rest this rainy Sunday!