Breaking the Myth of the Ugly Cry

Because there’s no such thing as too much feeling.

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Let’s talk about something we see all the time — and something that deserves a little rethinking:

👉 “I’m worried I’m going to ugly cry.”
👉 “I don’t want to cry in front of everyone.”
👉 “Please don’t take photos of me if I lose it.”

We get it. You want to look amazing. You want your photos to feel beautiful. And somewhere along the line, someone convinced us that real emotion is messy, unflattering, or embarrassing.

But here’s the truth: there is no such thing as an ugly cry when the tears are real, the love is deep, and the moment matters.

In fact? That kind of emotion is the most beautiful thing we capture.

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💞 The Tears Are the Story

We’ve photographed hundreds of weddings. Do you want to know what people come back to again and again in their galleries?

It’s not always the posed portraits or the styled details (though those are gorgeous, too).
It’s the tears.

• The crack in your partner’s voice when they say “I do”
• The way your mom squeezes your hand when you’re walking toward the altar
• The silent tear on your cheek during your vows
• The deep, body-shaking, can’t-hold-it-in cry during your first look

Those are the moments that live in your memory — and the ones that deserve to live in your photos, too.

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🌿 Emotion Isn’t a Flaw — It’s the Feature

We know the wedding industry can be glossy and perfect and filtered to the moon. But you’re not a mannequin, and this isn’t a styled shoot.

This is your wedding.
This is the day you choose forever.
This is the moment you see the person you love most and realize — this is real.

So if your face crumples in joy, if you have mascara streaks, if your nose turns red or your jaw quivers or your whole body heaves with feeling — that’s not a failure of beauty.

That’s the definition of it.

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💬 What Couples Say About Their “Ugly Cry” Photos

You want to know what we hear after the wedding?

“I was so glad you captured that moment — I didn’t even remember it happening.”
“I didn’t care how I looked — I just love that I felt so much.”
“This is one of my favorite photos. It’s not perfect, but it’s so real.”
“I can still feel what I felt in that photo.”

No one ever says, “I wish I had held it together.”
But plenty of people say they’re grateful they didn’t try to.

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📸 What We Do When the Tears Come

As photographers who lead with heart and experience, here’s what we don’t do:

• Zoom in to embarrass you
• Snap without intention
• Prioritize perfection over presence

Here’s what we do:

• Step back and let the moment breathe
• Focus on the connection in your eyes, your hands, your body language
• Gently document what’s true — not what’s “pretty”

Because at the end of the day, we’re not just documenting how your wedding looked.
We’re capturing how it felt.

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💖 Why You’ll Cherish These Photos More Than You Know

Long after the cake is gone and the dress is stored and the shoes are worn out — it’s these photos that will stay with you.

• The way you held each other when the emotion hit
• The comfort in a parent’s arms
• The moment you both realized, this is forever

You’ll look back and remember:
“I felt everything — and I let myself feel it.”

That’s what you’ll show your kids. That’s what you’ll return to on anniversaries. That’s what becomes your legacy.

Not filtered. Not posed.
Just real, raw, beautiful love.

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💡 So What Should You Do If You Think You’ll Cry?

Here’s our honest advice:

1. Let yourself. Don’t fight it. Don’t apologize for it. When you fight it, it shows on your face.
2. Tell your photographer if you’re worried. A good one (hi, us 👋) will know how to gently photograph emotion in a way that honors it.
3. Keep tissues nearby. We carry them. Always.
4. Wear waterproof mascara if it makes you feel better — but know that no one will notice it smudging. They’ll notice your joy.
5. Trust that your people love you in all your messy, emotional, heart-on-your-sleeve glory.

You don’t have to hide the tears.
You don’t have to pose your feelings.
You just have to be in it — fully.

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💬 From One Couple to Another

We’ve been there.
We’ve seen the tremble in the groom’s hand.
We’ve watched the bride break into the softest tears the moment the music starts.
We’ve seen parents, siblings, partners — all fall apart in the most beautiful ways.

And we’ve never once looked at those moments and thought: That’s ugly.

We’ve only ever thought: That’s love.
And it deserves to be remembered.

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💌 So Let Go of the Myth

Let go of the worry.
Let go of the mirror-checking.
Let go of the fear that your face will crinkle, your mascara will run, or your shoulders will shake.

Because when you look back at these photos years from now, you won’t be wishing you looked more composed.

You’ll be glad you felt everything.

And that we were there to capture it — with intention, care, and all the love in the world.

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Need someone who won’t just photograph your wedding — but will honor every emotion that comes with it?
Let’s talk.
📩 Inquire here — and bring your whole heart with you. We’re ready for it.

With love and tissues in hand,
Kate & Josh