Picture Perfect (Weddings by Design Book #1): A Novel Read Free Page A

of the camera.”
    “And you do a lovely job.” Dani continued to type in her notes, then glanced my way. “I looked through the photos you sent. I’ve never seen such beautiful wedding portraits, and I’m not just saying that. They’re exquisite.”
    “Aw, thank you.” Her words boosted my confidence and almost made me feel worthy of this interview. Almost.
    With a bit of maneuvering on her screen, she pulled up the photos I’d emailed, and we both leaned in to have a closer look. I couldn’t help but smile as a picture of my most recent bride filled the screen. Dani gave me a little wink as she enlarged it with a swipe of her fingers.
    “I’ve already talked to my editor. Texas Bride is going to feature some of your photographs along with this interview.Quite an honor.” She reached into her bag and came out with some legal-looking papers. “Of course, you’ll have to sign these copyright release forms and mail them to me. You okay with that?”
    “Sure.” I was completely overwhelmed by this amazing opportunity.
    I turned as the barista called out someone’s order—a caramel mocha macchiato. My stomach rumbled, another reminder that I needed real food, not more coffee.
    Focus, Hannah. You may never get another chance like this.
    I released a slow breath and faced the reporter once again. “As I was saying, there are some not-to-be-missed photo ops at a wedding, but I think it’s only fair to add that there are a few things we photographers deliberately leave out, things the average wedding guest never sees. This is what makes or breaks a photographer, in my opinion. And I would like to think that’s what sets me apart from the competition.” My eyes fluttered closed again, and an image of Drew Kincaid flitted across my mind. Remembering my father’s story about the Kincaids and McDermotts, I trembled. Better stay focused on the interview, not my competition.
    “Things you leave out?” Dani’s brow wrinkled. “Like what?”
    I opened my eyes and offered a confident smile. “Oh, say, the bride screaming at the bridesmaids just minutes before she walks down the aisle, or the flower girl throwing a fit in her beautiful dress. The caterer realizing she forgot to bring the duck a l’Orange, or the florist scrambling to make an extra bridesmaid bouquet with only seconds to spare. I’ve seen all of that and much more.”
    Should I tell her about the drunk-as-a-skunk father of the bride who’d shown up fifteen minutes before his daughter’s scheduled ceremony? I’d poured three cups of hot coffee down that man’s throat to prep him for his walk down the aisle. Nah. Better not share that story just yet.
    “Ooh, your life sounds so glamorous.” Dani entered more notes, then looked up, her eyes narrowing. “What else have you got?”
    I thought for a moment. “Well, I worked one wedding where the four-tiered cake toppled just before the reception. Thank goodness I got a couple of pictures before it hit the floor. See what I mean? It’s all about knowing what to shoot and when. I always get a few shots of the cake before anyone arrives, just in case.”
    “Wow.” Dani gave me an admiring look. “You’ve got this down to a science.”
    “Yep.” I chuckled. “I’ve learned a lot from Bella Neeley, the coordinator at Club Wed. She’s the best in the business.” Please make sure you print that. I flashed Dani a smile, but her gaze had shifted back to the iPad. “We’ve done a couple of weddings together, and I’m so grateful for the things she’s taught me. She’s such a wedding pro, loaded with great information about the biz.”
    “Speaking of the wedding business, one of Bella’s brothers is a photographer too, isn’t he?”
    “Yes, Joey. I’ve never met him, actually. He and his wife just moved to Italy to help with the family’s wedding facility in Naples.”
    “Sounds like a dream job.” Dani sighed.
    “No kidding.” I smiled, in part because losing Joey to Italy meant