Some weddings challenge you creatively. Others remind you why you do this work in the first place. Joel and John Michael’s wedding did both.

Photographing their day at The Exploratorium in San Francisco was one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences I’ve had as a photographer. The environment was dynamic, the timeline was tight, and the vision was bold. But it wasn’t just the aesthetics that made this day memorable. Really, it was the level of intention poured into every detail.

Shooting something like this requires real prep. We were working inside a functioning science museum, with exhibits guests could touch and explore. The ceremony and reception spaces transformed within an hour of the museum closing. Everything was fast and packed with opportunities to miss or make the moment.

What allowed me to be fully present was the planning we did ahead of time. It was the way my team and I shaped a creative foundation before the first image was ever taken.

I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what went into capturing the day and how thoughtful pre-production gives space for real creative freedom.

Great photography starts before the camera’s out

Before a single frame is captured, so much of the work was already done.

For Joel and John Michael’s wedding, that work started with early collaboration. Their planner, Jessica Carrillo of Art & Soul Events, set the tone with a detailed creative deck that was thoughtful, beautifully executed, and rich with detail. It also gave me a clear window into the world they were building. This level of vision invited me in as a true creative partner.

With that foundation in place, I built a custom moodboard focused on flash-heavy imagery to reflect the after-dark, editorial feel the couple was going for. The ceremony started after sunset, so we knew artificial light would carry much of the visual storytelling. I wanted to give my team a clear reference, not to copy specific shots, but to align on tone, mood and overall aesthetic.

We talked through everything, including how the space would evolve throughout the night and how we’d divide our coverage. My team staggered our arrival times to strategically spread coverage, and everyone came in fully briefed and creatively primed.

Defining the vision upfront gives me freedom in the moment. I didn’t have to stop and overthink. I could move with instinct, knowing the prep would carry me through whatever the day brought.

Joel and John Michael get ready together at 1 Hotel San Francisco.

Visualizing the day before it unfolded

I arrived in San Francisco two days before the wedding, and not just for the welcome party and other wedding events. I wanted time to scout the wharf and ferry building at different times of day to understand how the light would shape the day.

Scouting is much more than finding pretty backdrops. It’s also about paying attention to how the sun moves and what the environment is doing around you. I also always built in backup options in case a location closed due to NYE planning or unexpected weather. The plan was for the wedding party photos and their portrait session to feel effortless and part of the experience of their day, rather than an item on the day's checklist.

Every version of the day had a plan, so no matter what we were walking into, we weren’t scrambling. All of this planning was about understanding the rhythm of the day and the kind of visual language that would match the world Joel and John Michael were creating. When you’ve already walked through the possibilities in your head, you can stay present when it’s happening. And that’s where the best work lives.

Creative flow through team coordination

One of the biggest creative challenges of this wedding was timing. The Exploratorium was open to the public until 5:00 p.m., with guests arriving shortly after. That meant the planning team had a limited time to transform the ceremony space and simultaneously prep the reception.

To meet the moment, I rethought how I structured my team. I began the day solo, joined by a second shooter for wedding party photos, and a third joined as we headed to the venue. This strategy allowed us to stay nimble and fully cover everything without stepping on each other’s toes. They both came in with a shared visual roadmap based on the previously created moodboard. We talked through the points of focus so each person knew what to look for, areas they were in charge of, and how to move through the space.

Working in a complex and large venue like a science museum—where guests are constantly on the move—makes coordination matter more than ever. The goal is cohesion. And with a team aligned around the same vision, we were able to move independently but still tell one unified story.

When the venue becomes part of the story

Photographing a wedding inside a science museum isn’t your typical wedding day, and that’s what made it so incredible.

The Exploratorium was an extension of Joel and John Michael’s personalities: curious, imaginative, and full of wonder. Guests were free to explore the exhibits throughout the cocktail hour and reception. Every corner offered something new to touch, see, or experience. It was immersive and buzzing with movement.

Design-wise, it all came to life with intention. Certain installations, like the GLOW exhibit, were integrated into the evening's visual identity. A massive glowing sun sculpture became the backdrop for the head table.

For me, the idea was to move through this world with the same spirit of play. I wanted to photograph not only the couple and their people, but also the universe they built around them.

In a space like this, photography translates a sensory experience into something visual. And when the venue is part of the narrative, every frame gets richer.

Honoring intention, identity, and joy

Joel and John Michael brought their full selves to this day. From the moment I stepped into their planning process, I could feel how rooted this celebration was in meaning. Every detail told part of their story.

Their custom suits were symbols of individuality and partnership. Their rings were designed by a close friend who knew exactly what John Michael had dreamed of for years. Their ceremony was heartfelt and communal, including a ring warming that invited family and chosen family to bless the bands before they were exchanged.

I approached this wedding with the same care they poured into planning it. Their vows were emotional and layered. The joy and look in their eyes as they made the rest of the room disappear. All of it mattered, and I wanted the images to reflect that kind of depth.

What stood out most was the feeling of support. Their community showed up, celebrating not just a wedding but a love story that had been shaped by trust and resilience. In every frame, I aimed to document not just what happened, but what it meant. Being responsive to the fun that unfolded and capturing it with care.

Joel and John Michael during their ceremony recessional.

What this unforgettable day reinforced

Photographing this wedding reminded me that creative freedom doesn’t just happen. It’s something you earn through preparation.

The clarity of vision and the trust between every collaborator and the trust of your client. All of it laid the groundwork for images that felt true to the moment. I didn’t have to guess what the vibe was. I already knew. Which meant I could stay present with them in the moment.

I’m endlessly grateful to Joel and John Michael for inviting me into something so personal and extraordinary. To Jessica and the team at Art & Soul Events for such detailed creative direction. And to every vendor who made this immersive world come to life.

When we build a shared vision from the start, everything flows, and the photos will always reflect that energy.

Wedding Credits

Joel Kim Booster Attire
Ceremony: Suit/Tie: Bode, Shoes: YSL
Reception: Top: Alexander McQueen, Trousers: MM6 Maison Margiela, Shoes: YSL

John Michael Sudsina Attire
Ceremony: Suit Peter Do, Bowtie: Tom Ford, Shoes: YSL
Reception: Jacquemus, Trousers: Peter Do, Shoes: YSL

Exploratorium GLOW Exhibit Artists
Sunset by Jacqueline Hen
Wave by Squidsoup
Reflecting Holons by Marten & Visser
The Dreamer IV by Angela Yuen