My journey as a wedding photographer taught me a powerful lesson early on—one that transcended camera technology and delved into the raw, beautiful complexity of human emotion.
When I first started, I hid behind my camera, capturing the day in a detached, photojournalistic style. I envisioned myself as a "fly on the wall," documenting candid moments. However, after delivering one particular wedding, my heart sank. The bride confessed that she didn't feel happy in the photos. She was right. I had captured the events, but not the essence of her joy. She told me that I didn't make her smile.
That hit me at the core. My first thought was, wait. It's your wedding day, you should naturally be happy. What I misunderstood as a photographer, is that it is my job to make them look good, not just the photo itself and to empathize what they are feeling that day, and more often that not, they are stressed, nervous and anxious.
It was a turning point, making me realize that true wedding photography isn't just about capturing moments; it's about evoking them.
Years later, I had the privilege of learning from one of the world's best wedding photographers. He emphasized the power of emotion, action, and reaction in every single shot. That lesson became the cornerstone of my work. It was a turning point, making me realize that true wedding photography isn't just about capturing moments; it's about evoking them. So, how do we do this?
Elevating the "Firsts"
There are four pivotal "first" moments throughout a typical wedding day that often hold the most emotional weight:
The First Look with Parents: The raw emotion of a parent seeing their child on their wedding day is priceless.
The First Look with Your Partner: Whether it's a private moment before the ceremony or the walk down the aisle, this is the moment anticipation transforms into pure joy.
The First Dance as a Married Couple: This dance marks the beginning of your journey as a married couple, filled with love and hope.
The First Dance with Parents: A bittersweet moment reflecting on love, family, and new beginnings.
(To elevate this moment, I staged the father on the other side of the door. Before he opened the door, I told the bride, your dad is going to be so proud of you when he opens this door and I told Dad, just think, this is the last time you'll see her as your little girl. The images speak for themselves.)
While other "firsts" like the first toasts or speeches that hold significance, these four often become missed opportunities for photographers who solely focus on capturing events as they unfold. Without gentle guidance and direction, these moments can become casual encounters rather than the emotionally charged memories they deserve to be. That's where a skilled wedding photographer steps in – to elevate these moments, prompting genuine emotion and creating lasting memories.
Choosing a Photographer Who Captures Feeling
Anyone can snap a photo. But a truly skilled wedding photographer understands the subtle nuances of emotion and knows how to gently guide you into those genuine moments of joy, laughter, and connection. They create a space where you feel comfortable, confident, and free to simply be in love.
So, when choosing your photographer, look beyond the portfolio. Ask yourself:
Do their photos make you feel something? Do you sense the love, the joy, the anticipation radiating from the images?
Do you see genuine happiness and connection?
At the end of the day, you deserve more than just beautiful pictures. You deserve images that transport you back to the joy, the laughter, and the love you felt on your wedding day.
Building Trust and Guiding Emotion
My photography philosophy centers around two key principles:
Building Trust is Key: I prioritize building trust and comfort with my clients. I want them to feel like they can be themselves around me, creating a calm, safe space where they feel relaxed and able to fully express their emotions.
Guiding, Not Dictating: My approach is about gentle direction, offering prompts that encourage natural interactions and genuine emotion. I guide my clients into natural movements or poses that elevate the moment and feelings and you are never left feeling with the questions, do I smile, not smile, where do I put my hands etc. Have clear direction helps you feel confident. And of course, we'll capture those stunning, posed cinematic shots as well!
As I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for the lessons learned from my mistakes. They have shaped me into a photographer who not only captures moments but also the essence of love and joy that make those moments unforgettable. Every wedding is a unique story, and it is my honor to tell it with authenticity, emotion, and artistry. To every couple whose paths I have crossed, thank you for trusting me to capture your love story. Here’s to many more joyful firsts and lasting memories.
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