Covid Weddings and learning to pivot
Covid weddings are a real thing you guys! If you are sitting there thinking, I’m vaccinated and I won’t catch COVID, I was there about 2 weeks ago. I never thought I would get COVID…. BUT I was clearly wrong.
Lesson learned… we are not invincible. COVID spares no-one. As a wedding photographer in San Diego, you might find yourself attending Covid weddings. Be careful!
” Someone at the wedding was tested positive”
Around 2 weeks ago, I came home after shooting a pretty awesome wedding! About 2-3 days later, my friend calls and tells me that “someone was tested positive at the wedding.”
I vaguely remember how I responded. Perhaps my response was indifference, After all, I didn’t think I would catch it. Undeniably though, it was a warning of what was to come.
About 2 days later, around Thursday, I started feeling weird. I had a low-grade fever, a headache and my nose was congested. Between a mixture of waking up early everyday (5:30 – 6 am) and sleeping really late, I really hadn’t been taking good care of myself. I had to get myself tested.
The main reason I got tested was that I had a very important wedding that coming Sunday. I wanted to make sure I was negative for the wedding.
I scoured the internet for a location for testing that had availability the same day. I went on Thursday to get tested and made sure I got both PCR and Rapid-Antigen – just in case there was a false negative.
Within 1 hr, I got results back and I was positive. And on Friday afternoon, I got the PCR test back and it was also positive.
I was COVID positive.
How you pivot determines your character.
I knew I had little time to wallow in my own pity. I was seriously really upset at myself.
I was really looking forward to this wedding and these were clients I was close to and loved. Although I was truly upset, I knew what I had to do.
I needed to find an associate photographer who could cover the wedding and had a personality that would also fit the mold with a couple that was super sweet and really great to be around.
I messaged a few people and posted on Facebook. But, I didn’t get any leads until a good friend reminded me of someone I had connected with a long time ago but hadn’t talked to in awhile. Right when I heard her name, I was like… “she’s the one”.
A strong community
This is where I’m going to preach a little! I wouldn’t have been able to find someone, so readily, to replace me, if it wasn’t for the community I’m surrounded by!
Around late Sept 2020, I decided to do one of the biggest investment I’ve ever done in my photography career! I invested in The Abundance Plan with KT Merry!
In all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect, but I discovered a whole new world with people who were just as eager and passionate about their love of photography and serving others.
It is within this group of like minded people that I found some of the best people I’ve ever met! Within this group, I also found my very last minute associate shooter! And I owe it all to her for the success of the wedding!
She was professional, and my bride came back to tell me how much her parents appreciated us and how I made sure the day would be absolutely beautiful! And it truly was!
So what is my take-away…
I wish I could tell you, because, even two weeks after, we’re still in the thrones of fighting off COVID – as it slowly takes down one person at a time!
BUT, these are some major things that I learned.
1) The happiness of my bride was the most important! I made sure to find someone suitable to replace me – someone who would document the wedding in a way that represented my work.
2) I was surrounded by the right people and was able to find someone to replace me right away! IT was someone who I knew had the same belief and values I do in what it means to be a wedding photographer!
3) COVID is no joke. Covid weddings will keep on being a thing! Keep your mask on if you don’t want to catch it. I let down my guard and even vaccinated, I caught it! Although the symptoms were not bad, it has not been worth the experience!
4) Procedures surrounding COVID are a little dicey! And being in a family with someone with COVID is really difficult! So, know what you need to do and be prepared to do what needs to be done!
5) Insurance will cover PCR test (takes about 2-3 days to get results). But Rapid-Antigen is not covered by insurance, so you have to pay out-of-pocket! Rapid-Antigen is also not 100% accurate (and morel like 80+% accurate).
6) Vaccination definitely lessened the symptoms for me. I had a low-grade fever, headache and congestion for 2-3 days. I lost my taste and smell, but regained it within 1.5 weeks. But, I have to say, I definitely do feel more winded than I was before. This part makes me wonder what my lung capacity is at.
7) For photographers, please have a COVID clause in your contract to protect yourself + a reschedule clause! And, have a contingency plan – always!
For further information on what to do in case you get COVID, here’s a link to CDC’s resources about COVID exposure. And if you don’t understand all of this, ask your physician!
Thank you Pattengale Photography for rescuing me and being the primary associate shooter for this wedding! Thank you Jen Bauer Photography for being the trusty second shooter!
Venue: @vistavalleycountryclub
Lead Associate Photographer: @pattengalephoto
Second/Assistant Photographer: @jenbauerphotography
Florist: @Events_by_BD
Videography: @AmariProductions
Wedding Dress: @wtoowatters Bride Shoes: @converse
Bride Earrings: @honeybeeclay⠀⠀
Suit: @friartux⠀⠀
HI, I’m Amy and I am a San Diego wedding photographer that loves serving people who are genuine, fun and yearns for a photographer that doesn’t just scratch the surface but can truly understand, bring out and authentically tell the love story that is unique to every couple!
To get to know me more, go to my About ME page! And to see my latest work, go to my Instagram & Facebook!
And if you ever need me for anything, please feel to DM me or drop a note in the contact form!
