Always a Vendor; never a Groom.

(AKA, the Duluth Bridal Show recap.)

I had been a vendor at the show for several years. First, as a wedding photographer myself, then working the booth of a former employer, Great Lakes Aquarium, selling the facility as a reception hall.

I ran my very small photography business from my parents' spare bedroom for several years while in college. Since I didn't need my own "studio," I naturally focused on wedding photography since all shooting is done on-location.

The business was moderately successful and it was certainly interesting work. Of course, this was just before everything went digital and at the time I still shot film. Professional portrait photography went digital practically overnight and those without the capital to invest in upgraded equipment went out of business.

So it was a very interesting Saturday for me, personally. I knew so many of the people working the show from various professional interactions over the years. The funny thing was that even I knew so many of the caterers, facility rental managers and especially photographers, I'd never actually paid attention to how much things cost and how varied all the services were. It was as though I was there for the first time...as a groom.

Anyway, we Tweeted a lot (twitter.com/tlwedding) and took a bunch of pictures - check them out at http://twitpic.com/photos/TLwedding

--Tom