It was bound to happen...it was just a matter of time...

It was the brides earrings...an heirloom set from her mother.  Of course this wasn't the wedding they were from Forever 21, they were irreplaceable, special, meaningful and did I mention delicate. 

As per usual I took the brides jewelry somewhere 'creative' to photograph them.  Taking in the surroundings and trying to be inspired to photograph them in a unique spot that also showcases them.  I always find this part to be somewhat challenging as you are typically short on time but certainly wanting to push the creative envelope and not always being doing the same types of photos.

Placing the earrings and necklace in a few different places I ended up putting them on the ledge on the deck.  I did my best to get a few different angles and when finished was aiming to put them back in their box.  MY inside voice was screaming 'DO NOT DROP THEM...DON'T DO IT...BE CAAARRRREEEFFUUUUUL!!!'...then the inevitable happened.  I dropped one of the earrings...it bounced off the deck bench and fell through the slat under the deck.

Of course slipping into a slight major panic Bob and I started sifting through the blanket of dirt and leaves that lay under the deck.  As the mother of the bride stepped outside, we caught eyes and she gently said to me 'I don't want to know' and I replied 'Nope you don't, it's all going to be fine'...meanwhile inside I was wondering when I would be able to breathe again.  The father of the bride and her brother joined us and calmly helped us on our hunt for literally a needle in a haystack.  I have to say Don (Christina's brother) was a trooper...sliding under the deck with a flashlight to help Bob rummage through where we 'thought' it was.  I am not sure I was much help with all of my hyperventilating but what's a girl to do when she's in full-on panic mode?

After 25 minutes, almost giving up and dealing with 'HOW AM I GOING TO BREAK THIS NEWS'...Bob stood up and right at the edge of the deck was the earring. Feeling as if I was waking from a nightmare...my cold sweats disappeared and I think he was scared I was gonna knock it out of his hands when I  tackled him with a huge hug! Yep call it my professionalism!

I am so grateful for Christina's dad and brother.  Very helpful and not a word of 'what were you thinking!?'...

Right after that I found a small shell - between that and the concrete it was the perfect area to place the earrings for that one photo I needed...not to mention a bit more on the safe side!