James, Ryan & Miranda - June 20, 2026
I don't even know how to sum this gig up. I've known James for 25 years. I've known Miranda for *counts fingers* seven days. Ryan has been playing [music...] with my partner for over a decade. I can't think of a more wonderful, affirming ceremony than their wedding on June 20th.
Tom and I did a very similar bespoke "pig-roast" ceremony for our wedding; James and Ryan were there to party and prep along with us as we steered the ship. It was a joy to be able to return the favor, assisting with sound and photos while we tried (and failed) to keep Ryan from "bartending/chef-ing/wedding-ing," as I dubbed the hybrid role.
I'm trying to not make it so personal, but it's hard when it's your friends. So I'm going to step back and let the pictures show you how cool and magical this day was!
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If you'd like to take a look and download or purchase prints, access is available at https://www.jesstugas.com/throupleing2k26. You'll need to know the magic words, though, so please swing me an email and I'll get you set up!
Steve & Annie - June 21, 2015 - Revisiting my first "Uncle Bob" shoot
We all know an "Uncle Bob." He shows up to the wedding-family reunion-shower and stands just to the side with his own photography gear, trying to gank his own pictures from the actual event photographer's set-up.
Let me introduce myself; my name is Jess "Uncle Bob" Tugas and I started my career as a shot stealer. Well, I started my photography career doing free shoots for my collegiate choir and some wedding shoots for friends, but since I was using a Kodak EasyShare, WE'RE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT.
(I know it looks like that guest is peeking in the window, but I assure you, she's just behind a railing. Meeting Houses are fun!)
To be honest, I'm not sure that there was a photographer at this intimate a wedding, but I got casual permission to catch photos from the sidelines of the event. I did my best, but looking back and knowing the glass I was using and the complete lack of knowledge in wielding it, I can tease out what went right and wrong with some of these shots. That said, while they are...crunchy, some of these shots are very charming and real.
In honor of their eleventh (!) anniversary, here are some of my favorites from Steve & Annie's celebration at the Alna Meeting House and the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum!
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If you'd like to see more from the shoot, head to https://www.jesstugas.com/steveandannie15
June is IMPORTANT
June is IMPORTANT! As much as I didn't want to be the "cliche blushing bride of June," well...WE WORK IN EDUCATION, PEOPLE! If you're not getting married June, July, August (and perhaps right at the holidays) as a teacher, you're gonna have to wait. Since most of our friends also work in (or used to work in) ED, we all tend to have the same anniversary.
Now, I am not a capital-W-capital-P Wedding Photographer, but I have been lucky enough to not only share anniversaries with some of my friends, but to have shared in their special day!
MIranda, James & Ryan start off our nuptial festival on June 20th, followed by Annie & Steve on June 21st. Tom and I bring up the rear on June 22nd.
(Image credit - because I obviously didn't photograph my own wedding: lovebuzzphoto.com)
June is a LOVEly time of year and I am very PROUD to have these folks in my life; to have them as part of my wedding story and for them to have me as part of theirs in turn.
