C. & C.s wedding and reception was  held in the peaceful hills of Lexington SC just outside of Columbia SC.

After the ceremony the bride asked I could take a couple bridal portraits of her sitting on the roof of the house where the wedding took place. Always up for something new I said "Sure, sounds like fun!" so up and out of a second floor window we went.

 The roof was large, flat and easy to navigate even without my photo-ninja skills, I was able to grab the few "not so traditional" portraits of her that she requested with no problems.

 After I had taken the photos that she wanted and was gathering my gear up to head back through the window she said "hey, I have one last photo request for you, it's a shot that my husband and I both really want, can you take just one more?" "Of course" I replied, "what would you like to do?” She smiled and said "We think it would be pretty awesome to have a photograph taken of us falling back into the swimming pool below. You know, get that shot just before we submerge into the water. Do you think that you can get that for us?" 

"Yeah, sure no problem, let's do this!" is what I heard myself say as she was heading back through the window.

 As soon as I said that, my heart skipped a beat. This was a truly once in a life time photo opportunity that was coming with zero room for error and if I failed my clients in front of their family and friends I’d look like a jackass and they would be all wet for no reason.

Hastily I checked below for my focus points and shot off a few test shots of the pools edge to nail my exposure while the couple made their way poolside. My hands were shaking as I was trying to figure out when exactly the moment would be when I fired off what could be an awesome photograph. What if I was too early and they just looked like they were leaning back? What if I was too late and they were unrecognizable through the splash in the pool? OMG, what if my focus or exposure is off and the image comes out blurry?

 A zillion "what if's?" were racing through my mind before a deep breath and a prayer changed everything and something clicked.

 I selected my shutter speeds, calculated my exposure, pressed the shutter button and exhaled…

 Immediately after they popped up above the water I hit the review button on my Canon. Lo' and behold I found that I'd nailed the shot exactly as was requested of me in the precise way I wanted to capture the moment.

Before heading back down to show everyone this unusual photograph, I stopped and said a quick prayer of thanks as the relief of getting this ONE shot right washed over me.

I might never see a photo opportunity like this again and that is fine. In hindsight this could have turned out much differently and one of us could have been hurt which is definitely not worth any specific image. At least there is just this one time where we all decided to just take the plunge, and go for it with exceptional results!

-Sally Siko

The Plunge and what followed That time I photographed a bride and groom falling into a swimming pool during a weddingTaking the Plunge! A bride and groom fall back into a swimming pool. My favorite wedding photography shot that I've taken! The Plunge and what followed The Plunge and what followed The Plunge and what followed

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