Photographers get sick too

*Note: All photos in this post were taken by Robb Duncan.*

You know the feeling. After a restless night of sleep you wake up and every inch of you hurts. Even your eyelashes. You don't move in your bed as you assess how big the truck was that your body is telling you you've been run over by. And if you're really lucky, your stomach starts to churn, you get all hot, you sweat, then you have to bolt to the bathroom because last night's dinner is on it's way up.

I woke up a couple of Saturday's ago and this is exactly how I felt. I had gastro, pure and simple. I'll spare you the details (gastro has got to be the most unglamourous illness in the world!) but I was very very ill.

And in a few hours I had to shoot a wedding.



I spent about an hour trying to convince myself I was fine in between vomiting and feeling very woozy. Amba didn't even try to pretend. "You look like crap," he offered. "I'll be fine," I muttered with my head over a bucket. I'm sure he said something else very sympathetic but I didn't hear him because I was doing the gastro boogie again.



So I had to make the decision to bring in another photographer to shoot Erin and Trevor's wedding. This.was.devastating. I pride myself on my care for my couples, so having to swap photographers hurt. But I had no other choice.



I got onto the phone to Robb Duncan with my fingers crossed that he was free. Luckily he was, and agreed to come and shoot Erin and Trevor's wedding for me. He drove down (managed to get a flat tyre on the way) and was there to capture Erin and Trevor tying the knot.

I went back to bed to continue dying for the next two days.



Obviously having to swap photographers at last minute was not the plan. But like all good plans, they don't always work out. No amount of anything in the world would have stopped me getting sick. I couldn't predict it and I couldn't do anything about it. But swapping photographers doesn't mean the worst for a wedding day.



Erin and Trevor took it all in their stride (thanks guys!). Their day was beautiful, so I'm told, and the photos are still beautiful (check them out, mighty fine).



So I want to warn brides that this could happen to you. Your photographer could fall ill on your wedding day and not be able to get there. It doesn't mean though that your wedding day still won't be perfect. If you're prepared that it could be a possibility, and if it actually happens, you'll be able to roll with it.



My advice for brides: Ask your photographer what will happen if they get sick. A good photographer will have a back up plan, a list of photographers they have pre-arranged to step in if the need arises. And those photographers have to be as good or better as the photographer you've hired. If they aren't demand your money back. Also have an open mind and an open heart. Your original photographer will be feeling pretty miserable about having to pull out so don't feel like they've let you down. Remember that your wedding day is about getting married to the one you love, not your photographer. So with that in mind it shouldn't affect you too much.



My advice for photographers: Have a back up plan! No really, go and get one, now. Talk to your clients about the possibility. Reassure them that you've got it under control. Know you're limits. I was trying to convince myself that I was fine when I really wasn't. I had to know my limit, and pull out rather than battle on and potentially ruin a couple's day. You can't produce your best work if you're sick so don't be stubborn. You'll just let the couple down by producing less than awesome photos. They deserve a photographer at the top of their game. Remember shit happens, and it's all part of being a wedding photographer.



I've got to make special mention of Robb for coming to my aide. He didn't hesitate to help me. He didn't stress. He pulled out all stops to make sure Erin and Trevor has a great day. And on top of all that he produced killer photos. Robb, you're gold.



* Meaghan

If any of you brides or photographers have had an experience like this, I'd love to here about it. Just leave a comment.