I made the hard decision to quietly close my associate program last year. In an effort to simplify and amplify what I wanted to provide in my business, I knew that the associate program wasn’t something I would be able to maintain longterm. I’m big on seasons. And, although the Sweet Alice Associates program only lasted 2 years, the short season it filled was beautiful, meaningful, and wonderful.

Maria + Derek were an absolute joy to serve. From the moment I met them on Facetime, I knew that our hearts were connected - I was almost even jealous that my associate photographer was able to photograph them instead of me (haha). But, two things I knew before they even signed a contract:

My associate photographer would take the best care of them ever.
They would take the best care of my associate photographer ever.

I was not wrong. The symbiosis was beautiful.

It’s funny, looking through and editing a wedding gallery that you weren’t actually there for. I remember gasping a lot. Crying a lot. Sending texted screenshots to my associate photographer to tell her she knocked it out of the park. Feeling so excited to mail the images out to Maria + Derek. Nostalgic. Feeling like I was able to peek in on memories that I wasn’t actually there to help make. It was a gift.

And, truly, serving Maria + Derek through the associate program really was a darling gift.

I miss them, even though I didn’t necessarily get to serve them on their wedding day. What a sweet emotion.

(And, yes, I did surprise them by swinging by their reception after I finished photographing dear Nova + Paul’s wedding down the road)

Wedding Date: October 20, 2018