So here’s something I never thought I’d have on my list of hobbies: deer photography. Well, I could actually see myself taking photos in nature of deer running across a field. What I recently photographed was my fiancé John and a dead deer. And, I wasn’t very good at it.

That sounds obvious, but I am normally a pretty good amateur photographer. I take wonderful photos of old barns, snap great pics of kids and make my girlfriends look mah-velous (always shoot from above!). But taking a photo of a dead deer? It’s a lot harder than it sounds.

I knew I was in trouble when I stepped outside to see a moving blanket laid out on the ground in front of the “deer staging” area. John quickly informed me the proper angle is to shoot from the ground. So he posed behind the deer and I started taking pics. After a few shots, we stopped so he could see the photos. Uh oh. Big problem. I was not getting all of the points in the photo (the deer was not angled so all points could be counted). Apparently, while lying on the ground with a camera, I was supposed to be directing deer head placement. So, we tried again. This time when John looked at the pics, he was not fully behind the deer. Again, how am I supposed to know John’s torso and legs should not be seen in the photo?! So finally, I tried again and I guess they were passable. All I know is, he (thankfully) allowed me to stop taking photos.

It seems you can’t predict what the future will bring, at least not precisely. I certainly wouldn’t have guessed I would be marrying a deer hunter. And photographing him with his deer. But I’m sure happy I am.

Wedding Update - Bella (John’s daughter) and I recently went shopping together and both said “Yes to the Dress!” The wedding is February 7th in Turks & Caicos - watch for photos in the next issue of Lipstik!