For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature Hong Kong wedding photographer KC Chan of KC Professional Photography.

KC Chan Bio:

My passion for photography came at young age. I have always looked at the world and the people in it as inspiration for my pictures. I shoot around 50 weddings per year. This gives me time to get close to my couples and get to know them as individuals, more than clients, so communication with my clients is also an important element to my work.

My typical clients are very relaxed. They view wedding photographs as being so important, but are much more interested in actually enjoying their wedding day than standing having their picture taken.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

My favorite part of the wedding day is definitely during the ceremony, it’s the highlight of the wedding day and every one who attended.

What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

I like to photographer weddings where people are relaxed and everyone is enjoying their time.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

I will suggest to clients to create a list of items that they do not want to photographer to miss, the list could contain people, decorations…etc. Other than that, just relax and be themselves.

How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?

A wedding is an uncontrollable event and by hiring an experienced wedding photographer, they know what to do when the unexpected occurs. Besides, an experienced wedding photographer could also provide valuable advice to the couple from the many weddings they have attended.

What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

Getting enough sleep!

Do you do “destination weddings?” If so, what are your favorite destinations?

I shoot a lot of destination weddings each year; as I am based in Hong Kong, most of my destination weddings are in South Asia such as Thailand and Bali. But I did shoot a destination wedding in UK at Leeds Castle, it remains my favorite destination for weddings.

What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings?

I love movies.

How would you describe your style of photography?

My clients usually tell me that they found my style intimate, happy and real.

What do you offer to clients that is unique? What is your Unique Selling Proposition?

My clients not only enjoy looking at my photos, they also found me a very nice person to hang around with. A lot of my clients has become friends and some have even bought me gifts on some special occasions.

What (or who) inspires you?

Romantic movies and love songs inspire me a lot.

What’s the best photography-related advice you’ve been given?

Be honest with your client and never cheat your clients.

Do you follow any photography or business blogs that you would recommend?

I love to read Joe McNally’s blog.

Thanks for the interview KC! Use the comment section below to ask KC a question or leave a comment.

Contact Information:
KC Chan, Hong Kong Wedding Photographer
Website: KC Professional Photography | Email: info@chankichun.com | Phone: +85292642380

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature Zürich, Switzerland wedding photographer Matthew Anderson of Matthew Anderson Photography.

Matthew Anderson Bio:

My career in photography began in photojournalism where I worked as a daily newspaper photographer and freelancer from 1999 – 2007. The experiences that I had photographing a wide range of subject matter prepared me well for the dynamic task of capturing a wedding story with my camera. During this time of my life I was in and out of so many different situations that I had the opportunity to develop a wide range of photography skills. On a typical day at work I would shoot a news assignment or portrait of a politician in the morning, a business assignment in the afternoon and a food assignment or sports event in the evening. My assignments were basically anything and everything you can imagine seeing in the newspaper. It was the best learning experience that a young photographer could hope for. My editors and peers always had great (and sometimes merciless) feedback for me which pushed me forward all the time. Today I take all of those skills and experience into my wedding photography business. I feel that my early career laid down a perfect foundation for the wedding stories that I’m photographing today.

How did you get your start and why did you chose wedding photography as a career?

Wedding photography was a very natural direction for my career to take. I’ve always been attracted to emotional subject matter and picture stories. In my experiences as a newspaper photographer I was always on the hunt for multi-dimensional stories to tell with my camera. Weddings are the perfect subject matter for that combination.

How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?

Last October I photographed an all-day event for a bride and groom who weren’t so lucky with the weather. Fortunately, with a little bit of creative lighting and adaptation I came away with a terrific collection of images that even had a certain outdoor feel, though every image from morning to midnight was created indoors. I ended up printing this album as a sample book for my studio and I’m really proud of that project.

Tell us about some of the more unique weddings you’ve shot.

Winter weddings in Switzerland are always fun and unique. I’ve had the good fortune of photographing inside of igloos and in the amazing mountain region known as the Engadin (where the posh mountain resort of St. Moritz is located). It’s always a treat for me to have mountains in my wedding photography backgrounds.

What are some of your favorite local venues?

I’m always discovering interesting venues, but for me the region and environment are just as inspiring. Just three weeks ago I was given access to a very exclusive private garden in my home town of Winterthur, Switzerland. It was bursting with color and absolutely amazing. I couldn’t believe that it was just 5 minutes from my front door. One thing I always convey in my albums is a sense of location for the wedding story. Locations (as beautiful as they tend to be in Switzerland) are a huge part of most couples’ wedding experience. I want that location to be seen in their wedding album. The pictures should communicate a feeling of place.

What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?

Shop carefully and insist on seeing the proof. A lot of people are jumping into photography these days, but just because someone owns a paint brush doesn’t make them Picasso. If photography is important to you and you don’t see the work you’re hoping for in a photographer’s portfolio or sample albums, then move on. A photographer who has been successful in the past will be able to demonstrate several excellent sample albums and a long list of great client references and feedback. You don’t get to re-shoot your wedding so you need to really trust the photographer who you select.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

Like a lot of photographers – I love preparations. These are almost always given a black and white treatment in my albums and prep photos just make a perfect kick off for the wedding story. So many fun and funny things happen in the pre-ceremony hours. Apart from that I really want to connect the events of the day so that there are no gaps in the story. If possible, I like to surprise my clients with food pictures that I usually shoot somewhere around the corner from the banquet/reception area. Food photography is something I learned as a newspaper photographer and it makes for a great album page.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

My best advice to a couple in terms of getting great photography is to think about light. Light is a crucial mood setter. That’s not to say that the venue, church, etc. need to be brightly illuminated. Think about how the lighting can be creatively enhanced with candles, lanterns or colors. These details can really enhance the photography at your wedding. Also, don’t short change your photographer on portrait time. If you want great portraits think about your shooting location and consult your photographer before planning this part of your day. It’s in his and your best interest to work together on that part of the day’s plan. Be flexible and listen for his/her advice.

How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?

Experience level (quality) and price are often closely related. Ten or twenty years from now you won’t care whether you saved a few bucks by hiring a cheap photographer or asking a friend with a camera to help out. The photos from your wedding will gain value as time goes on. If photography is an important part of your wedding then treat it as a priority early on in your planning phase.

What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

The biggest challenge in wedding photography is without a doubt managing client expectations. If a promise to do something is not kept – then that expectation has not been well managed. Follow through is at the top of my list – every time. If I say I’ll do something, I do it.

Do you do “destination weddings?” If so, what are your favorite destinations?

I consider each and every wedding a destination wedding. Whether it’s 5 km, or 5000 km away. That said, I would love to shoot in my flip-flops on the beach this year. The specific beach is not important to me.

What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings?

When I’m not shooting weddings I’m running my photography business. When I’m not running my photography business I’m spending time with my wife. When I’m not running my business or spending time with my wife then I’m out climbing mountains. That’s one reason I’m happy that I live in Switzerland.

How would you describe your style of photography?

My approach to wedding photography or “my style” could be described as a “story-telling approach.” I also love creative, fun and intimate portraiture. You’ll just have to check out one of my albums to really get a feel. What I constantly hear from my clients is that the album reads like the story of the day – just as they remember it. It’s not a random collection of pictures. Each album has a beginning, middle and end.

Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it’s important to provide albums.

Each of my packages comes with a custom designed wedding album. My job is done when you have your album in hand. I provide a complete service from beginning to end and that’s what my clients appreciate. Providing albums to each couple means that there is zero hassle from their side. Do-it-yourself jobs rarely turn out as well as planned, and I find that the level of satisfaction that my clients express is 10 times greater when they are able to relive their wedding in the pages of a high quality album. Albums are a very important part of each wedding project to me.

How would you describe the current state of the wedding photography industry, and where do you think wedding photography is headed in the years to come?

The wedding photography industry is constantly evolving. There are many services available today which greatly improve the client experience that wouldn’t have been available even 5 or 10 years ago. For example, my online album proofing setup is fabulous. I’m working with a couple right now who live in Montreal. They’ve just had a look at their album design last week. Two small changes were requested, a second proof was sent, and now the book is being printed just a couple days later. This couple will have their finished album within a month of their wedding date. For reasons like that I’m very optimistic about the future of my own business because I’m finding new ways of improving my product and customer experience each year.

What (or who) inspires you?

I’m inspired by photographers who “see” on a higher level. I find inspiration in a lot of other genres such as documentary photojournalism. A real ability to tell the story (whatever it may be) really impresses me. I consider James Nachtwey, Joel Sartore, Randy Olson, and Ami Vitale to be “elite story-tellers.” Basically the whole crowd who shoots for National Geographic. That’s story-telling at its highest caliber in my opinion.

What’s the best photography-related advice you’ve been given?

The best photography advice I was ever given came from Pete Kendall, a staff photographer at my first newspaper. He said “If you’re given lemons, then make lemonade.” In other words take what you’ve got and make the best image possible. Chances are there are lots of great pictures if you can adapt to the situation. Another mentor of mine – Jay Drowns, said “Excuses don’t make anyone’s pictures look any better.” I’ve always taken these tips to heart.

What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

Customer service (with a smile) and hard work. I put my clients wishes first and I deliver on my promises. It’s a winning combination.

Thanks for the interview Matthew! Use the comment section below to ask Matthew a question or leave a comment.

Contact Information:
Matthew Anderson, Zürich, Switzerland Wedding Photographer
Website: Matthew Anderson Photography | Email: Matt@MatthewAndersonPhoto.com | Phone: +41 79 937 23 16

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature Tarragona, Spain wedding photographer Raimon Crescenti of Raimon Photography.

Raimon Crescenti Bio:

I’m a photographer with many years of experience in wedding and studio photography. I shot my first wedding at age 16 (now I am 52) so I’ve been in over a thousand weddings of all types, but it’s still thrilling to me to see a bride and groom on their big day. During all these years I tried to always be on the cutting edge of technology and knowledge, I like being well prepared to always offer my best.

How did you get your start and why did you chose wedding photography as a career?

My father was a photographer, in my childhood I liked to come into his black and white lab and watch the images magically appeared on blank paper. Then I became interested and became his assistant, and after 16 years my father sent me to cover my first wedding with a Nikkormat FT2 a day that I had to cover two events, that was my baptism of fire. Since then I’ve never stopped doing wedding and studio photography.

How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?

Having been in hundreds of weddings gives you a background that makes you know how to react and improvise in any unexpected situation. Sometimes I have to tie neckties, pick the bouquet from the florist, take the couple in my car, etc. As a photographer I have had to switch to my second camera when rain disabled my main camera, or other times I had to find something handy to use as a light reflector. In every wedding something always happens that requires imagination and know-how to be able to react quickly. Experience is a big help.

Tell us about some of the more unique weddings you’ve shot.

I remember one quite some years ago in a village called La Fatarella in Tarragona. The Baroque church was quite old and during the ceremony a fierce storm started with lightning and thunder, one of the bolts hit the top of the church just above the couple, the priest and myself. The thunder was deafening! It broke off some chunks of plaster from the dome where we all were and fortunately nobody was injured, but after the scare in the dark we had to continue the wedding in the church foyer. Surely everyone who was there will remember that wedding.

What are some of your favorite local venues?

I love weddings in castles and old houses and places with history. I would never get tired of shooting in the Templar castle of Miravet, or Tamarit Castle by the sea, where I’ll be in just three weeks. We were also a few days in London for a post-wedding meeting and had a great time and the couple enjoyed themselves a great deal.

What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?

Today the supply of good photographers has grown around the world, I would recommend that they view the work of several professionals and they chose the one that best fits your expectations in style, way of working, and of course price. But price should not be the most important factor. Who remembers the price when you get great pictures that you can boast about and be proud of your entire life?

What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph??

The truth is that I have a great time throughout all stages of the wedding. Each moment has special magic, the groom getting ready in his room, the excited bride with her parents, the highlights of the formal ceremony. The outdoor shots are usually the most relaxed and the reception is when I can have fun shooting photos of the guests and the bride and groom with their friends. What I like best are the pictures of the bride alone and the party.

What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

I like informal weddings, where there is no strict etiquette where you can sometimes feel inhibited by protocol and formality. Luckily most weddings are not so, and I can move freely about the venue. I think that outdoor weddings, beaches, and gardens are easier to photograph and the people are also more open and fun at this type of wedding.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

Be yourself, do not wear a dress if it’s not your style, or go to extreme styles with your hair if you have never done it before. I often see brides more concerned about her dress than what is happening at the wedding, or brides almost unrecognizable with hair that is not a good style for them. I would say to try to feel comfortable with all the accessories that come with being a bride, be yourself and be true to your style, the photographs will be forever and you will appreciate them later if you and your guests are relaxed and happy.

How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?

An experienced photographer knows how to move at all times to anticipate the key photos, knows how to work with people on a happy but stressful day, can solve unforeseen situations that surely will be presented, and of course has experience in getting good pictures under any conditions or locations. An inexperienced photographer can ruin not only the day of the wedding, but the memory of it for a long time.

What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

The biggest challenge for me is not to stagnate, to be every day in the wake of what is going on in the world of wedding photography and adapt to new trends. That is my challenge, try to be every day better photographer and a better person.

Do you do destination weddings? If so, what are your favorite destinations?

I offer destination weddings, and for that I had to learn English because it is the universal language in this work, and am ready to go anywhere in the world if you hire me, that’s not going to be a problem since I love to travel. Of course, I have photographed weddings all over my country (Spain), and lately we’ve traveled to London for a TTD session.

What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings??

Take more pictures ….. really, even with my small Leica or one of my old film cameras. I am also a collector of old cameras and I’m always looking for future candidates for the shelves of my small collection. I like being with my family and do some traveling when I can.

How would you describe your style of photography?

I try to make a personal style, natural and spontaneous, not too many poses, and am currently experimenting with HDR photographs that are not too exaggerated and I like it the result.

What do you offer to clients that is unique? What is your Unique Selling Proposition?

We have an album format that our clients like very much, it measures 10×20 inches and my clients especially like the cover material called Vitro, which provides a surface like a glaze, very bright and pleasant. We also offer miniature albums for parents or family members which are an exact copy of the original but smaller.

Do you offer albums?If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it’s important to provide albums.

Yes, all our work is delivered in bound albums of different sizes and prices. I do not like to deliver digital files only because I like having control of my pictures, I know when and why I took a picture. If it escapes from my hands then no one else can know the artistic intent or the context for which I had taken the picture. Of course clients see the work before the album binding and can give their opinion or request any changes, but I think it is the photographer or graphic designer who must create the final product of the photographic work.

How would you describe the current state of the wedding photography industry, and where do you think wedding photography is headed in the years to come?

In Spain the number of marriages has declined dramatically in recent years and the global crisis has prompted many couples to decide not to take photographs of their wedding or they try to save money by trusting a relative or friend to take the pictures for free. Hopefully the situation will change soon, as many professionals are having to close their business. As for the future, we are in a world of constant change, what is fashionable today may be obsolete tomorrow, so highlight the importance of staying current on all aspects.

What (or who) inspires you?

It inspires me to see many many pictures, I see very good work from people who are not professionals but they have a great passion for photography. I am also inspired by films and works of art, but the ultimate inspiration is when I deliver a wedding to a client in a timely fashion and they tell me they love their photos.

Have you found any products, services, or seminars that have made a difference to your photography or your business??

Yes, although for many years I have been attending workshops and seminars with other professionals in the last year I think my work changed a lot because I found Photographers Forum, a forum dedicated to Spanish speaking photographers. That led me to attend the 1st Convention of the Forum held in Madrid last year where I saw the great masters of wedding photography such as Jerry Ghionis, Fer Juaristi, Sergio Photographer and other great professionals. Thanks to them I asked about getting admitted to the ISPWP. Also a couple of months ago I had the opportunity to attend a seminar with Joe Buissink in Barcelona and was amazed by his work. Next year I will try to attend the WPPI convention in Las Vegas.

What’s the best photography-related advice you’ve been given?

My start in digital photography was difficult, I was not too knowledgeable about computers, but I was advised to choose Apple to work on my photos. I was very pleased with this advice and I work today with eight Apple computers and have never had any serious problems. Of course I always try to take the advice of the great Jerry Ghionis: “If you want to be a good photographer, try to be a better person every day. ”

What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

I think to be honest, always give more than is expected, and always keep in mind the customer’s needs.

Do you follow any photography or business blogs that you would recommend?

Of those who I’ve seen to date the one who has impressed me most was Jerry Ghionis, it is amazing what he does with the available light in any room or how he can create light in his pictures with a laptop screen. I call him the MacGyver of wedding photography, with brilliant results every time. I also like the style and composition of Fer Juaristi, Vinicius Matos’ sensitivity, the elegance in the photos of Daniel Aguilar, and spontaneity in the work of Joe Buissink, which has always challenged me to find “moment between the moments.”

What future plans do you have for your business for the next year??

We have remodeled our studio recently, we’ll be finishing the last details and we will try to have more online presence and attend conventions with renowned photographers to acquire new knowledge.

What is the biggest challenge facing wedding photographers today?

Apart from the economic crisis, which we hope will end soon, as I said before you have to try to keep abreast of everything related to our profession, excel in each new assignment, and work hard to have the customer always on our side.

Thanks for the interview Raimon! Use the comment section below to ask Raimon a question or leave a comment.

Contact Information:
Raimon Crescenti, Tarragona, Spain Wedding Photographer
Website: Raimon Photography | Email: info@fotoraimon.com | Phone: 629 350 335

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature New York wedding photographers Steven & Tak Young who own STAK Photographer Duo.

Steven & Tak Young Bios:

We are a happily married couple, who loves meeting new people, traveling to new places, and collecting pigs!
We believe that the most powerful and meaningful photos are the raw, real moments and emotions of the wedding day.

How did you get your start and why did you choose wedding photography as a career?

We first met in High School. When we started dating, we began taking tons of photos and documenting our relationship. Photography became a hobby of ours. One day, we realized that we can also help other people photograph and document their lives as well. That’s how it started.

How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?

No matter what the weather is or the light conditions, we are able to find a way to make it work.

Tell us about some of the more unique weddings you’ve shot.

Although no two weddings are the same, the most unique was probably Divya and KP’s wedding in a small village in India. It was 3 consecutive days, the wedding took place in the streets outside her family’s home, and it was just unlike anything we’ve experienced before.

What are some of your favorite local venues?

We had a great time shooting at The Plaza Hotel, and recently enjoyed shooting at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel as well. Tribeca Rooftop is always great too.

What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?

Wedding photography is extremely important, as we are documenting the first day/the start of your new family. One day your kids and grandchildren will want to look back at the photos to see how it all started. So it’s important to find the right match, and not to settle with just anybody.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

We love the emotions during the morning getting ready time.

What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

We love shooting weddings both big and small. It really doesn’t matter as long as the emotions are real and the people are happy.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

Just be yourself and don’t worry about the photos. The best photos come out when you are comfortable, relaxed, and trust your photographer.

How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?

Extremely important! There are no redos, so you gotta get it right the first time.

Do you do “destination weddings?” If so, what are your favorite destinations?

Yes, we travel and enjoy shooting in new locations and places. We have shot multiple weddings in India and Mexico, and also recently photographed weddings in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.

What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings?

Collecting pigs, watching the Knicks, watching movies, playing PS3.

How would you describe your style of photography?

A lot of people describe our photos as “fun,” and we would describe it as real moments with stylish portraits.

Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it’s important to provide albums.

Your wedding album will be the heirloom that you pass on to your grandkids. It’s really important to turn your memories into something tangible, like an album. We never liked the idea of trusting your memories to websites and technology, because who knows if those sites will be around in 50 years?

What (or who) inspires you?

We try to draw inspiration from everything in life. Music, movies, different people, books, even food.

What’s the best photography-related advice you’ve been given?

There’s always more to learn.

What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

We are passionate about what we do. We have put a lot of time into our business and we are fortunate to be blessed with amazing clients.

Thanks for the interview Steven & Tak! Use the comment section below to ask them a question or leave a comment.

Contact Information:
Steven & Tak Young, New York Wedding Photographers
Website: STAK Photographer Duo | Email: getshot@getstak.com | Phone: 718-908-6753

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature London wedding photographer Roland Michels who owns Roland Michels Wedding Photography.

Roland Michels Bio:

Roland Michels work as award-winning wedding photographer in London and Hamburg. He has been shooting weddings since 2004. So far he has accompanied couples throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, France and Mauritius. His work embraces reportage as well as tasteful portraiture. He has a far reaching reputation and several articles about him have been published in Wedding and Photo Magazines.

How did you get your start and why did you chose wedding photography as a career?

I became a freelance photographer in 2004, but before that I worked in a completely different business: I had a qualification as a gardener and worked in this field. During my first two years as a photographer I worked mostly for the food industry, for clients such as Volvic, Bacardi and Masterfood. But I quickly changed over to wedding photography, because this kind of work entails far more freedom and creativity. People booked me because of my photography style, and not (as was usually the case in the food industry) because I was expected to conform to a rigid model.

How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?

It is good, of course, to always know roughly what is happening when, and what could happen. While I photograph on a wedding day I am a silent observer, but I still offer hints when time is running out, if the groom’s breast pocket handkerchief isn’t quite right or about where the boutonniere should go.

Tell us about some of the more unique weddings you’ve shot.

When I started out I always wanted to photograph the most exotic weddings at fabulous locations and I loved being sent to Mauritius or Greece for assignments. Of course, opulent weddings in foreign countries and cultures have a particular attraction for me as a wedding photographer. But this year the most unusual wedding was on an old ship here on the Baltic, followed by a relaxed evening at a beach club. The marriage was performed with so much love and warmth at the same time so relaxed – something I had never previously experienced.

What are some of your favorite local venues?

There are a couple of special places where I like to photograph weddings. One of these is London, this pulsating city that combines so many cultures and influences. Photographing weddings in London is really quite something. And then I love to take photos on the little island of Sylt in Germany – the light here is special, and there are a lot of top locations all almost side by side. And my third choice is of course Hamburg, the port city that is so complex and modern.

What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?

In any case it is important to devote much attention and preparation to the wedding in advance. For many couples, their wedding is the first major planned event of their lives. And be it the location, the wedding dress, the buffet or the photographer, heaven and hell are often not far apart. But you can maintain the upperhand by making proper preparations in the various areas. Organisations like ISPWP can offer couples a vast amount of information when it comes to choosing their photographer.

Admittedly, for someone who has never dealt with these matters before, it is difficult at first to find out whether an offer is serious or just a lot of hot air. It’s easy these days for a wedding photographer to create a suitable website template and to upload his or her twenty best photos. So it’s important to exercise caution here and look around a bit. Does the photographer have a blog with regular entries? Can one view the client galleries? Also, membership of an association such as ISPWP is an indication of their quality. A photographer who belongs to this must have photographed a minimum of 50 weddings.

Next, the couple should decide what style appeals to them. Wedding photography is highly creative and each photographer has his or her own approach. When you find work by a photographer that makes you say, “I’d like pictures like that at my own wedding”, then you have a good starting point. I don’t think it’s a good idea to approach a particular photographer with a selection of photos from other photographers and to ask for something like that.

Another thing I consider very important: there has to be mutual understanding, or else it isn’t likely to work. It’s much easier to photograph somebody you find likeable than someone who you feel no sympathy towards.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

It’s different from one wedding to another. Sometimes incredibly beautiful things happen already during the preparations – the light in the room is perfect, the atmosphere is wonderful. I have two different approaches: observational reportage and artistic portraits. Couples who book me also like both of these things, and so the portrait shooting session on the wedding day is usually a highlight both for me and for the couple, and not just something that has to be endured.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

Enjoy the day, let others do the organising, don’t try to control everything. Be aware of your love and show it. Surround yourself with people you like. Let the photographer just get on with his or her job. Follow these pointers and you’ll have a wonderful day and beautiful pictures.

How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?

When I started to photograph weddings, I used to say to the couples: better a new, creative mind than an experienced old wedding photographer for whom everything has become mere routine. I have never had a bad experience; I have always delivered the photos and everyone has been very satisfied. I think I have been very lucky. After over 200 weddings I now belong, according to my earlier estimate, to the “old timers.”

But my views have changed, of course, as my experience has grown. Experience brings security. As a bridal couple one must not forget that there is no second time: the marriage ceremony will not be repeated, and any blunders that may occur cannot be measured in money terms, but always as emotional hurt. Yet despite all his or her experience, the photographer must continue to “burn”, to bring creative ideas and to constantly reinvent him or herself.

What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

Having learnt when, where and how to take wedding photographs, one quickly masters the routine. Much more difficult, though, is to photograph the “nuances”, the really important moments that aren’t listed on the schedule. Ultimately it is these moments that make the real story.

Do you do “destination weddings?” If so, what are your favorite destinations?

I see myself more as a citizen of the world. And so I also work as a wedding photographer in London. The distances have shrunk in the meanwhile, and contact is effortless via the Internet. I can fly from Hamburg to London in an hour, while it takes two hours just to drive to Hanover.

Anywhere that is no more than two or three hours’ flight from Hamburg is of interest to me, and London is my second home – I can be reached under a local address.

How would you describe your style of photography?

That is quite simple, it is the style of Roland Michels. – No, really only one thing is important: people look at my photos. They like them. They don’t see pictures like these everywhere. They book me. They get wonderful photos of their weddings. They are happy. I think it’s wrong to explain to couples why my pictures are as they are. Either they like them or they don’t. The more polarisation, the more style will result.

What (or who) inspires you?

I try, athough I don’t always succeed, to avoid modelling my photographic work on that of other wedding photographers. I love looking at art, the old masters, and also modern fashion and advertising photography. The old masters often could not only see the light, but they could reproduce it perfectly with the brush. The more a person occupies himself or herself with these things, the better he or she will be able to master composition and light.

Nature also inspires me greatly; while growth and colour arise from chaos, it is never without order for mankind.

What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

I was in the right place at the right time and did it right. Apart from that, I seem to have a talent for taking really good photos. OK, so it isn’t really that simple. Success doesn’t come overnight. It is always a long road, in which you make many mistakes but also learn from them. It’s important not to stand still in photographic terms but to continue to evolve.

Success is based on a dogma: it is always more and more difficult to change one’s photographic manner without somebody saying straight away that now you take photos just like X or Y. Yet you have to guard this freedom and remain flexible enough to be able to also strike out along unorthodox paths. Otherwise sooner or later you will degenerate into a parody of yourself.

At the same time you have to remember that wedding photos are not meant to only be indications of their time – they will still have to look good in 50 years’ time and not be too dated.

What future plans do you have for your business for the next year?

This year I am setting myself up as a wedding photographer in London. I’m looking forward to seeing how it will work out.

What is the biggest challenge facing wedding photographers today?

For photographers working on international assignments – a volcano called Eyjafjallajökull.

Thanks for the interview Roland! Use the comment section below to ask Roland a question or leave him a comment.

Contact Information:
Roland Michels, London Wedding Photographer
Website: Roland Michels Wedding Photography | Email: wedding@rolandmichels.com | Phone: +44 (0)7984 029 639

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature non-traditional Denver wedding photographer Jackie Nuxoll who owns Selah Photography.

Jackie Nuxoll Bio:

Jackie Nuxoll is a Denver artist who specializes in creative visual journalism. She is a graduate of The Art Institute of Colorado and Concordia University, Nebraska. Jackie is a life-long artist who traces her informal, candid and personal style of art back to her earliest days and the gracious gifts she has been given.

We at Selah Photography are creative wedding photographers who marry a unique style of photojournalism and creative documentation.

How did you get into wedding photography?

I have been drawn to creating things. Even since childhood my sentiment has driven me to document things of significance. I invested in studio art and psychology during my undergraduate studies. The two degrees alone were very impractical, but they became the perfect mixture for me as a photographer. My creativity was somewhat out of control, which gave me a unique struggle through schooling. After my first portraiture assignment in the only photography class offered, I became incredibly fascinated with the medium. Photography was a perfect fit for me to structure and shape my creativity. I attended a small Christian school filled with young engaged couples who struggled to pay for expensive wedding photography. I was in the perfect place for beginning a business. I did one wedding, and from there my business developed on its own.

Do you have any formal photography training?

Yes; I believe that my undergraduate training in psychology, painting and graphic design were the perfect set of formational training prior to attending photography school. I have a post graduate degree in photography from the Art Institute of Colorado. The training I received there was technical, and it taught me how to control the medium.

What adjectives do you use to describe your photography?

Quirky, nontraditional, emotive, energized, humorous, whimsical, meaningful, contemporary, unique.

How would you describe your approach to wedding photography?

I listen. I am sensitive to each person’s personality. Through this I try to understand how I can mold my ability to either encourage expressiveness or hide against the wall to make the people unaware of my existence.
I’m not one for excessive planning. Aside from formals, I have no shot list and don’t keep a posing guide in my back pocket. There is something much more genuine in approaching the day spontaneously. I prefer to approach the wedding day being unaware of the exact surroundings and dynamics. I feel that too much planning causes me to miss out on the truest story. Though my work isn’t always pure photojournalism, I am at all times trying to document reality. Spontaneously showing up and observing is a huge part of that for me.

The most significant tool for me as a listener is being connected. My best photography happens when I am allow myself to be present and feel what is going on. Listening as a photographer requires much more than observing the picture. As a photojournalistic photographer, your heart has to be open too.

Do you have a special tradition or moment at weddings that you love to photograph?

I could photograph a fun set of groomsmen all day. I am resistant towards doing the same thing from wedding to wedding, but you can usually find my wedding parties running around. I tend to be drawn to interactive documentation and movement. When you get a group of best friends together, those interactions come fairly natural. On the aesthetic side of things, the repetition and lines that come within the groomsmen’s tuxedos are always compositionally interesting to me.

What are some of your favorite local venues?

Hotel Boulderado, Arrowhead Golf Course, Brown Palace, Stonebrook Manor, The Rocky Mountains

What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

Again, I love to document unique wedding party imagery, especially right after the ceremony. There is a certain energy and connection that happens after the couple is married. Everyone is excited, and that is when the best expressions occur. I also love to show the interaction between the wedding party, and I always strive to facilitate a fun environment to enhance their day.

What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

For me, it’s not so much about the different kinds of weddings. I enjoy a unique wedding location as much as any other photographer, but I am really passionate about documenting the bride and groom’s personalities. When I have a couple that is expressive, trusting and open to anything, I get so excited. Of course I love Denver’s unique and artistic wedding venues; however, when you get down to it, it’s really about the couple’s personality.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

Trust your photographer, and be present. The more you let yourself go, the better. The worst thing that could happen is that you have a couple images you don’t like. The best thing that could happen is that you images really show your love story.

What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

I think that it is easy for wedding photographers to focus on being the best and making the most money. Many photographers seem to dismiss the purpose of their gift. I often see people so fixated on becoming successful that they disregard the heart of documentation. I personally am always trying to remind myself why I do this. It isn’t about merely painting a pretty picture of a couple to hang on a hotel wall. It’s a responsibility and an opportunity to show people a beautiful part of themselves that they aren’t able to see. The opportunity to document this is a gift. It’s a struggle, but imperative to not forget the significance of the task.

What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings?

You can find me reading, writing, painting, snowboarding, volunteering or spending hours talking with friends, trying to understand more about this life we’ve been given.

How would you describe your style of photography?

The images we produce at Selah Photography combine a unique style of photojournalism with creative portraiture. We draw on emotion and pursue unique fine art wedding photography. This all is mixed with a genuine, contemporary, nontraditional and journalistic edge.

Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it’s important to provide albums.

Absolutely. Wedding albums are a purposeful heirloom. I tell couples that their albums are about more than themselves. Especially when they highlight the photojournalistic images. It’s an investment that will transcend time. This is what your great-great grandkids will have to tell who you were. The storybooks are a sentimental treasure. Also, as an engagement photographer, I like to offer albums prior to the wedding to showcase the love and excitement of the couple for this special wedding day.

What (or who) inspires you?

People who allow their beliefs to compel them to move and be different. The virtue of courage and artists that provide substance through their desire to go somewhere new or unknown.

What’s the best photography-related advice you’ve been given?

I had a professor tell me that if I wanted to be a better photographer, I should do more art. I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time, but in hindsight, the best photography classes I took weren’t photography classes. Painting, 2-D design, liturgical art and poetry is the studying that has shaped my understanding of the way I see the world.

With that being said, the foundational mechanics of design and composition are what has really established me as a professional wedding photographer. The technical details within photography are incredibly important, but also incredibly learnable. I am a huge advocate for technical knowledge, and I am constantly pursuing it; however, I know that the aesthetics are what will set you apart.

What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

Every odd and unexplainable path has worked together for good. God has provided it all. The way I see has been shaped by everything I have learned and experienced. Which is why every photographer is so wonderfully unique and worthy. We all see things so differently; it’s inevitable.

Thanks for the interview Jackie! Use the comment section below to ask Jackie a question or leave her a comment.

Contact Information:
Jackie Nuxoll, Denver Wedding Photographer
Website: Selah Photography | Email: info@selahphotography.org | Phone: 720.347.9922

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil wedding photographers Ricardo Cintra who owns Ricardo Cintra Fotografia.

Bio:

RICARDO CINTRA

Paulistano nascido em 1982. É apaixonado por fotografia desde criança e, em 2002, começou a trabalhar em uma loja de fotografia, onde teve contato com vários fotógrafos e começou a fazer freelancer. Foi onde tudo começou.

Trabalhou dois anos na loja e investiu tudo em equipamento. Nos horários vagos lia muitos livros e conheceu o trabalho de vários fotógrafos, espelhou-se nesses profissionais, participou de cursos com esses fotógrafos e, recentemente, com o americano Brian Marcus e o canadense Mark Ridout.

Sua vida é a fotografia, dedicando-se 24 horas a essa arte.

Em 2005 casou-se com a Lays, seu braço direito em tudo, sendo ela a responsável pela edição dos seus álbuns, realizando um trabalho de excelência, valorizando cada imagem.

Seus álbuns são feitos com muito amor e dedicação para surpreender seus noivos. Na reunião de portfolio apresenta todo seu trabalho e assume o compromisso de que no casamento deles, fará ainda melhor… Graças a Deus isto tem se confirmado, pois tem conseguido fazer um evento sempre melhor que o outro, aprimorando-se todos os dias, tirando dos eventuais erros, sempre grandes lições.

Em 2009 foi escolhido como fotógrafo da sessão “Wedding Best”, o melhor da fotografia de casamento nacional, na revista Fhox. Essa seção traz o trabalho de um fotógrafo de casamento que se destaca por trazer algo diferente para o mercado.

No ano de 2010 realizamos varias conquistas importantes para nossa carreira entre elas o reconhecimento pela ISPWP e a WPJA .

Como você iníciou e por que você escolheu a fotografia de casamento como uma carreira?

Sou apaixonado por fotografia. Em 2002, comecei a trabalhar em uma loja de fotografia, onde tive contato com vários fotógrafos e comecei a fazer freelancer. Foi onde tudo começou. Meus primeiros trabalhos foram dentro da fotografia de casamento, além disso adoro fotografar pessoas. É muito bom pode eternizar momentos e contar uma historia através de uma câmera.

Qual sua parte favorita do dia do casamento para fotografar?

Acredito que cada momento é especial e tem sua particularidade. Uma das partes mais importantes do dia do casamento é a cerimônia, é onde conseguimos registrar as fotos mais emocionantes e expressivas. Também adoro a hora que os noivos estão na pista de dança com os familiares e amigos, é um momento onde conseguimos retratar a alegria e emoção do casal.

Quais os tipos de casamento que você mais gosta de fotografar?

Não tenho um favorito. O casamento pode ser durante o dia, no campo ou à noite. Acredito que os noivos precisam estar emocionados, apaixonados… As fotografias ficam lindas em qualquer lugar, desde que eu tenha a oportunidade de capturar a melhor expressão e os sentimentos das pessoas fotografadas.

Quais são os locais de seu interesse para fotografar casamento?

Nossa equipe atua na maior parte do tempo no interior de São Paulo, mas fotografamos em qualquer lugar do Brasil e fora do Brasil.

Que conselho você daria a uma noiva que está à procura de um fotógrafo de casamento?

Acredito que em primeiro lugar eles precisam procurar um fotógrafo que tenha um trabalho dentro do estilo que eles estão procurando. Hoje existem vários estilos diferentes de fotografia de casamento. Outra fator importante é ter um contato direto com o fotógrafo e se sentir à vontade, para que estejam relaxados no momento de serem fotografados. É importante ainda ter uma referência do profissional e se possível acompanhar os trabalhos recentes que o fotografo está executando para confirmar se o mesmo mantém seu padrão.

Quais são suas dicas para ajudar aos noivos a obterem boas fotos no dia do casamento?

Na semana do casamento nós marcamos uma reunião com o casal para acertar os detalhes de como serão feitas as fotos e dar algumas dicas do que eles podem fazer nas horas que não pode haver a intervenção do fotografo, como por exemplo, na cerimônia. Se essa reunião não puder ser pessoalmente nós fazemos por telefone. Porém, reforço que é muito importante ter esse feedback na semana do evento.

Qual é a importância de contratar um fotógrafo experiente de casamento?

Não só o fotógrafo, mas todos os profissionais que forem atuar no casamento, é importante que tenham experiência para executar o trabalho do começo ao fim. Os noivos não podem e não devem se preocupar com o decorrer do evento, por isso é importante ter profissionais capacitados. Muitas das vezes também, os noivos não são especializados em fotografia, inclusive com relação aos assuntos que devem ser registrados. Assim, um bom profissional não vai deixar faltar nada e poderá até instruir o casal.

O que você acha que é o maior desafio de fotografia de casamento?

Temos várias áreas dentro da fotografia. Eu acredito que a que exige maior conhecimento e agilidade é a fotografia de casamento. Mas não basta saber só a parte técnica; o fotógrafo tem que atuar com psicologia para saber conduzir e se relacionar com os noivos no dia do casamento, deixando-os tranqüilos e, com isso, captar de forma especial o sentimento das pessoas. O maior desafio é: Conseguir trabalhar em diversas situações de luz, aplicar a técnica e ao mesmo tempo registrar os sentimentos e emoções. Nós não podemos errar ou perder os momentos mais importantes.

Você faz “casamentos do destino?” Em caso afirmativo, quais são os seus destinos favoritos?

Sim, desde que o lugar seja bonito, não tenho nenhum lugar preferido.

O que você faz para se divertir quando não está fotografando casamentos?

Adoro viajar com minha esposa e conhecer lugares novos, amo a natureza e sempre que posso vamos para lugares diferentes.

Como você descreveria o seu estilo de fotografia?

Nosso estilo é uma mistura da fotografia tradicional com o fotojornalismo e com uma iluminação elaborada. Acredito que um bom álbum precisar ter fotos espontâneas mostrando o real que o casal realmente estava sentindo no dia mais importante de suas vidas, mas também é necessário ter retratos dos noivos e familiares.

O que você oferece aos seus clientes que é único? Todos os trabalhos acompanham álbuns?

Dentro dos nossos trabalhos estão inclusos os álbuns (livros) em diversos formatos e acabamentos. Além do registro e o álbum de casamento, nós fazemos o ensaio pré-casamento que poderá ser finalizado em um livro ou slideshow e o Street Wedding que é uma nova proposta para o casal. Maiores informações do Street Wedding no Site: www.ricardocintra.com
Acredito que o fotógrafo precisa fazer o trabalho completo. Após o registro do evento tem a parte de pós-produção que é fundamental para um belo trabalho. Acredito que o fotógrafo não pode entregar os arquivos em um dvd para uma terceira pessoa executar fora do seu padrão.

Como você descreveria o estado atual da indústria de fotografia de casamento, e como você acha que a fotografia de casamento seguirá nos anos vindouros?

Acredito que a fotografia de casamento está crescendo não só no Brasil mas em todo o mundo. Cada dia que passa tem mais fotógrafos capacitados fazendo um trabalho artístico. Mas também vem crescendo o número de aventureiros que acreditam que bastam ter um bom equipamento para executar um trabalho. Em minha opinião o fotógrafo precisar sim ter um bom equipamento, mas aquele que a sua experiência exige para executar o trabalho.

Você encontrou alguns produtos, serviços ou seminários que têm feito a diferença para a fotografia ou o seu negócio?

Sim, participo de todos os congressos e workshops que posso com fotógrafos brasileiros e estrangeiros. Sempre nos possibilitará agregar algo a mais para nossa fotografia e o negócio em geral.

Você já palestrou ou ministrou cursos de fotografia?

Sim, esse é um projeto que iniciamos nesse ano de 2010 e graças a Deus estamos conseguindo um ótimo resultado.

Qual é o melhor conselho que você daria pra quem quer ser fotógrafo de casamento?

Primeiramente amar essa profissão e, o sucesso, é uma conseqüência! E estudar muito, adquirir conhecimento com outros fotógrafos e saber se relacionar. O evento do casamento acontece só uma vez, por isso é fundamental saber o tamanho da responsabilidade que está em nossas mãos.

O que você diria que foi a maior razão para seu sucesso?

Primeiramente, aproveitar cada oportunidade que tive. Segundo, saber respeitar o tempo, as coisas não acontecem do dia pra noite. E estudar muito! Não é fácil fotografar casamento. Terceiro, sempre buscar fazer um evento melhor que o outro, não podemos achar que sabemos tudo, aprendemos a cada dia.

Você segue todos os blogs de fotografia ou empresa?

Sim, aprendi e continuo aprendendo muitos com vários fotógrafos.

Quais os planos que você tem para o futuro do seu negócio para o próximo ano?

Graças a Deus nosso trabalho tem tido um reconhecimento enorme dos clientes e com isso, a procura e indicação aumenta a cada dia. Nosso maior projeto é estar em uma cidade maior, mais próximos de grandes centros. Temos um projeto de abrir um escritório na cidade de Campinas-SP no ano de 2011.

Qual é o maior desafio para os fotógrafos de casamento hoje?

O maior desafio é se destacar e se manter no mercado porque cada dia que passa tem mais fotógrafos. Acredito que além de fazer belas fotos, precisamos ter um bom relacionamento. Quando unimos um bom trabalho com um bom relacionamento, obtemos o sucesso.

Qual a importância de um ter um bom relacionamento?

Precisamos ter a consciência de que quem nos coloca no mercado são as indicações não só dos noivos que já fotografamos, mas principalmente dos profissionais que estão nessa área. Hoje temos excelentes fotógrafos, mas que infelizmente estão fora do mercado por não saberem se relacionar. Acredito que aprender a fotografar não é o maior desfio de um fotógrafo, mas a arte de se relacionar é muitas vezes o maior desfio para o sucesso.

Thanks for the interview Ricardo! Use the comment section below to ask Ricardo a question or to leave a comment.

Contact Information:
Ricardo Cintra, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil Wedding Photographers
Website: Ricardo Cintra Fotografia | Email: ricardocintra@ricardocintra.com | Phone: 55 18 9785-6004

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature New Zealand wedding photographers Binh Trinh and Lin Zhao who own TZ Studios. They are currently the only New Zealand based photographers who have been accepted into the ISPWP.

Bio:

Welcome to the exclusive TZ-Studios, a new boutique photography studio that specializes in high end and fine art wedding, portrait and nudes photography.

TZ-Studios was formed by the husband and wife team of Binh Trinh and Lin Zhao, both of whom are international award winning photographers. We have clients all over the world, including New Zealand, Australia, America and even Barbados. And now, we are so excited to introduce our services to Dalian and China.

We are a super duper happily in love team of husband and wife, Binh and Lin. Now that we are married, we do feel more emotionally attached to each wedding job as we have a greater understanding of the exciting, anxiety, and of course the love on the day.

Awards:
2008 International Portrait of the Year and the People’s Choice Award (IAA)
2008 WPPI Premiere Grand Award (WPPI, US)
2009 International Animals Portrait of the Year (WPPI, US)
2009 Winner of the Photoworkshop.com International Imaging Competition
2010 Winner of the prestigious Spotlight awards, one of only 30 given worldwide by B&W Magazine
Over 200 Awards Worldwide and Published in various international photography and fine art magazines

How did you get your start and why did you chose wedding photography as a career?

After I finished my PhD in 2006, I accidentally stumbled across photography as my brother’s desperately needed someone to take photos of their wedding three weeks out from the big day. After a crazy two days full of ceremonies and 6500 images, I quickly discovered my hidden talent. I have pursued wedding photography ever since and cannot be happier with my life. I consider myself to be a happy person and wedding photography just allows me to simply be myself. I love joking around with my clients and sharing a great day with them. A wedding is just too long not to have fun.

How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?

The biggest thing I have learned from the last 4 years is to remain calm, confident and in control as everyone looks to me in difficult circumstances. I guess I am just lucky to be a Leo with built in natural charm and leadership, not to mention the desire to smile.

Tell us about some of the more unique weddings you’ve shot.

The Barbados wedding is certainly up there. I flew into China about one week before having to fly to Barbados via New York. The long trip was exhausting. Thankfully I gave myself plenty of time to recover from the severe jet lag. The different culture and scenery were a big shock. In addition, the clients were Nigerian and thus added an extra dimension to the job. Overall, it was an eye opening experience and certainly one that I cannot wait to repeat.

What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?

Please, please, find someone you can get along with and share a few laughs with on the day. When you look back at your images, you want to have the precious memories to go with them. The rest will fall into place.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

For me, I love capturing those small but significant moments that make each wedding unique, from a bored page boy, to a nervous groomsmen, to crazy stunts by the groomsmen.

What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

Size definitely does not matter. For me, I just love happy and relaxing weddings. Its always about the experience, from the day of the proposal, right up to the last minute of the evening, its all about the experience. Things will go wrong, people will be late.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

Relax, and just let all things go and allow yourself a chance to enjoy your big day. Feel the love for each other and freely express your emotions. This is why it’s so important to choose a photographer you can feel comfortable with.

How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?

This is certainly an easy question to answer. An experienced photographer is more than just about where and how to take pictures, but also how to handle and deal with everyone at the wedding to ensure the clients have the best time possible. The beautiful images just go without saying.

What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

There will always something that will go wrong on any wedding day. The toughest job is to calm the clients to allow them to relax and enjoy the day. I always believe that if I can catch the natural smile of my clients, they will always be happy. Thus, my job is to make them happy, no matter what happen.

Do you do “destination weddings?” If so, what are your favorite destinations?

I have been lucky to have done a few destination weddings, from China, to Australia to Barbados. So far, Barbados has certainly been my favorite location. How many people can say they have been to one of the world top 10 beaches?

What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings?

Practice photography, of course. I will never stop learning and evolving.

How would you describe your style of photography?

This is probably the hardest question to answer. I love capturing my client’s personality, priceless moments, and create beautiful art work during the portrait sessions for my clients to cherish and show off to their family and friends. Lets just say, my style.

What do you offer to clients that is unique? What is your Unique Selling Proposition?

Simply my contagious laugh. It may not be the prettiest laughter in the world, but its enough to make everyone relax and enjoy the day. Its always weird to hear my laughter in the video along with my clients and their friends and families. I guess I should also mention my award winning images and albums as well, and my vision as an artist.

Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it’s important to provide albums.

For me, album is about telling a story. Album is a piece of art, not just a book to stick pictures in. My albums have won awards in New Zealand as well as in the USA. I only believe it offering art work and high end quality work to my clients so that they feel proud to show off their memories.

How would you describe the current state of the wedding photography industry, and where do you think wedding photography is headed in the years to come?

Wedding photography is slowly being turned into a commodity market, where only the price matters. It is therefore important for serious photographers to separate themselves from the pack, and to show potential clients that their services are more than just pressing buttons. I believe that there will be more ordinary photographers saturating the market. At the same, I think this will make it easier for high end artists to differentiate themselves from the pack and allow discerning clients to make easier choices.

What (or who) inspires you?

I find inspirations from people who appreciate life, from the little moments, to the grandest of dreams. Life is too short to take it for granted, and yet so many of us do. I always try to live life to its fullest and I want my photography to capture everything I love about life, from intimate moments to crazy laughter.

What’s the best photography-related advice you’ve been given?

“You make a living by what you take, but you make a life by what you give” – Winston Churchill.

I heard this quote at a business networking event and it really helped me to realize that photography is a privilege, a gift that has been given to me, to allow me to share with others. By giving my photography service to charity, I will always continue grow as a person and as an artist.

What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

Firstly is that I want to be friends with all of my clients. I want to be a part of the big day, not just as another vendor. I love getting hugs and have wonderful conversations with strangers at weddings.

Secondly, I always try to be better every day. I enter in lots of competitions, and have been lucky to have won so many awards. However, I always want to try something new, push my skills and more importantly, my vision. After all, I am an artist.

What future plans do you have for your business for the next year?

I will aim to increase my international reputation as an artist and wedding photographer and travel the world and share my passions with clients to share my visions. Did I mention I love meeting new people and making friends all over the world?

What is the biggest challenge facing wedding photographers today?

With the affordability of cameras, the market is over saturated with over ambitious amateurs who need and want quick cash jobs. The clients will be confused with the vast range of prices and quality. With the downturn in the economy, prices will play a significant part and the quality of wedding photography will no doubt suffer. Potential clients may also turn to their families and friends for help with photography and thus further contribute to the false expectations of future brides in regards to prices and quality.

Photographers must continue to push themselves to be master of their skills in terms of photography and business. I believe the high end photographers will be better than before as wedding photography continues to evolve, while low end photography will continue to get worse.

Thanks for the interview Binh and Lin! Use the comment section below to ask Binh or Lin a question or to leave a comment.

Contact Information:
Binh Trinh and Lin Zhao, New Zealand Wedding Photographers
Website: TZ Studios | Email: tz-studios.com | Phone: 0086-411-39895599

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature Calgary, Alberta wedding photographer Mark Pawlyszyn who owns Unique Images Photography. Mark has a great eye for bold and dramatic images, but he also has some useful advice to brides on how to enjoy their day.

Mark Pawlyszyn Bio:

My name is Mark and I am the owner and main photographer of Unique Images Photography. Hi.

Since starting my business I have had a lot of recognition in a very short period of time. Only a few months after photographing my first wedding I placed second and third in the 2007 DWF Photographer of the Year contest in the People and Portraits categories. My photos have also placed in every single contest that I have entered since then (except for one).

My work has been published in Perfect Wedding Magazine and I am a regular contributing photographer and occasional writer for the Southern Albertan local interest magazine, Lethbridge Living.

I have also had the honour of being published on several blogs, including Asian Inspired Weddings, The Photography Parlour, Brides.ca, and Wedding Obsession.

It is my life experiences that have made the largest impact on my photography, though; it is the person who I am that helps me take the photos that I take.

How did you get your start and why did you chose wedding photography as a career?

I did not grow up with any interest in photography. I was too busy doing things to be watching people from behind a camera. Then at a particular point in my life, circumstances led me to have almost nothing to do, but there was a camera lying around. So I started taking photos. Shortly after I started I found online photography competitions and entered them regularly. These were great for developing my skills for three reasons.

One is that they were very restrictive of any kind of Photoshopping, so you had to get everything perfect in the photo itself using the camera.

The next reason is that they really called for you to be as creative and different as possible, because a technically good image that was boring never got far. It helped me to think of more abstract ways of photographically going from A to B.

And the third way this helped me is that it was extremely competitive and drove me to improve as much as possible in a short time. It was like having an exam or a karate grading or something every single week. It wasn’t long before I fell into wedding photography. I really enjoy being a part of a couple’s wedding day and seeing their love.

How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?

I think the two biggest things which demonstrate the importance of experience is knowing how to deal with problems quickly, without showing stress, and knowing the ebb and flow of a wedding and being able to play around.

In the first instance, I’ve dealt with technical issues, with very stressed clients, with literally only two minutes for all the couple’s portraits, with lousy weather, with crazy venue restrictions, and whatever else. Looking at the photos from each of these weddings, no one would know that I had any problems and the couples never saw me sweat.

The other thing is that once you really know how to do your job and how a wedding day flows you can experiment and challenge yourself to get cool new ideas. I will take many different-looking images throughout the day by changing my lighting setup or using unusual compositions. When you are starting out it’s hard enough to grab all the straight shots perfectly, but with more experience you can do them without thinking, which allows you to be more observant and take more risks.

What are some of your favorite venues?

Some of my favourite venues are the Fairmont Banff Springs, the Juniper Lodge, and the Rimrock Resort, which are all in Banff, Alberta. I also love everywhere in Kelowna.

What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?

Stop listening to advice and go with your gut. Find a photographer whose work moves you and then talk to them to see if they are someone you could get along with on your wedding day. Trust and compatible personalities are very important.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

I go through phases with this, but overall I’d have to say that it’s the portraits time. The vast majority of my clients are not professional models. In fact, most of them, when they book me, say they don’t even like getting their photos taken. I like that challenge, because every single one of my couples who have told me when they booked that they hate having their photos taken have later told me that they not only love their wedding photos, but they actually enjoyed the experience during the day.

What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

Happy ones! Lol! Weddings are such an amazing social microcosm and, because they are such long and intense days, they tend to bring out the best and worst in people. I really like the ones where you can see that the couple are in love and that they are having a blast. Those are the best weddings. I don’t care whether they’re in a palace or in someone’s backyard.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

Relax and enjoy your day.

The day won’t be perfect, but the big picture is that as long as you’re married at the end of it then it’s a success. Keep this in mind when the flowergirl sneezes on your dress.

The most flattering thing you can wear is a smile.

Allow enough time for photos. Then allow extra time. Wedding days run on a loose schedule and the most organized people often get hit the worst, because they’ve timed everything to the minute.

Oh, and don’t talk during the first dance. Look into each others’ eyes, kiss, or silently plan your revenge for the cake-smashing incident, but don’t talk. Talking will result in photos with you pulling weird expressions.

Any other tips for people planning their wedding?

It is easy to get excited by your wedding and to want to make it the best you can. This is all good, but make sure of two things. Firstly, keep your wedding day YOUR wedding day. If there is a traditional wedding event that you don’t care for (maybe the garter toss, for one example), don’t feel obliged to include it. And if there is something you really want to do, because it’s personal to you, but you are worried that people will think it’s weird to do at your wedding, just do it. It’s your wedding day; enjoy it.

Secondly, there is so much help these days that it can be difficult to know where to stop taking advice. There are magazines, blogs, relatives – you name it! Be a little rebellious and allow yourself to go against the trend or well-meaning advice if you don’t think it suits you.

Do you do “destination weddings?”

I travel a great deal for weddings, but I have focused my business on Canadian locations.

What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings?

I play guitar, go for walks, and spend time with people I love.

How would you describe your style of photography?

Fun, stylish, romantic. These priorities shift depending on each couple’s personality, but there is always a mix of these three things. Most of the day is comprised of photojournalistic moments. I mean, that should be pretty obvious, right? I think if I interrupted a wedding ceremony or reception to ask someone to smile at the camera I’d probably get slapped! I don’t pose people during the getting ready time, either. Well, almost never; I’ve done it once all year. I feel that these photos should be uninterrupted and it is up to the skill of the photographer to capture them well. That said, I am not someone who remains in the background quietly observing all day; I chat and laugh with my couples.

For the portrait time I go all out to create the best images possible through posing, lighting, and whatever else. It’s what my clients tend to expect, though I do tailor this time to suit them and I’m happy to do more or less posed photos depending on their personalities. My philosophy is that even posed photos should have a spark to them – some life and love. I want my couples to see their photos in twenty years and not only should the images be works of art, the couple should remember exactly how they felt at that moment. That is what I strive to do. That is my style and goal all in one.

What do you offer to clients that is unique?

I bring a guitar and sing to them during their portraits. Ok, not really. I am driven to do something different each time. I want to create images that reflect my client’s personalities instead of forcing them into preconceived ideas. Every wedding I try for some images in a way that I’ve never done them before.

I also use fairly advanced lighting setups and Photoshopping techniques that helps to set my work apart. At a recent wedding I used a dozen or so different lighting setups and combinations. Plus, good colour seems to find me. I can shoot with the same camera and same settings as my assistants and my colour and contrast will look different straight out of the camera. It’s weird, but it’s a blessing.

And I am a genuine people-person and I want my couples to enjoy their day. Way back when I was still at school I the guy people would turn to for encouragement and advice. And I was always the one in my group of friends who came up with stuff we do on the weekends. I seem to have a gift of being able to help people feel relaxed and themselves. And studying personalities and psychology for years (including at university) hasn’t hurt.

Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it’s important to provide albums.

I love albums. I think they are the best way to present a whole bunch of images. Let’s face it, when someone gets a disk, they have all these plans for it, but typically they’ll put a few images on Facebook, print a few 4x6s, and then stick it in a desk draw. Albums last and last.

Plus, they can be designed in a way to really show off your images better than just about any other method of presentation. A good designer can do all this and also tell the story of the wedding day. Nothing else does this as well as albums do.

I design all of my albums myself. I enjoy it, but I also think it’s important for me to do it, because I was actually there and know how the wedding went. That helps me to know how to best tell the story and balance the images.

What do you use for inspiration?

Ideas. God knows where those come from.

Have you found any products, services, or seminars that have made a difference to your photography or your business?

My own. Seriously. I’ll explain before I sound pompous or self-promoting. I started out with a knowledge of Photoshop before I ever thought about being a photographer. When I picked up a digital SLR I knew my way around Photoshop very well. That has helped me enormously in several ways. Firstly, because I use most of my own Photoshop techniques I’m not using the same prepackaged Photoshop actions as everyone else, so it’s been a much smoother ride developing my own look. Secondly, if I want to fix something I can do it quickly without asking for help or paying someone else. I think one of the best things that Photographers can do to give themselves a boost is to really develop their essential skills.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

I’ll paraphrase a few from memory. A couple of these were said to me and a couple were said near me.

“Explore the space.” – Jesh de Rox

“You are the artiste! You tell the brides what you will provide, instead of trying to be everything to everyone.” – David Beckstead

“Shoot through the moment.” – David Murray

“People show love in ways other than kissing. Notice those ways.” – Anna Kuperberg

What future plans do you have for your business for the next year?

I want to fine tune my services and take on fewer jobs, so that I can offer my clients the best experience possible in the most timely manner.

Thanks for the interview Mark! Use the comment section below to ask Mark a question or leave him a comment.

Contact Information:
Mark Pawlyszyn, Calgary, Alberta Wedding Photographer
Website: Unique Images Photography | Email: mark@uniqueimagesphotography.ca | Phone: (403)795-2036

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

For today’s ISPWP member spotlight, we feature Evan Baines, one of the few wedding photographers who shoots weddings with black and white film. Read on to find out about Evan’s unique approach to weddings

Evan Baines Bio:

I was born and raised on the East coast, but moved to the south when I joined the military after 9/11. I earned my Green Beret and served in the Army’s 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Iraq was a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there. Along the way I met a beautiful and talented woman with awful taste in men, and married her before she came to her senses. I started my photography business when I left the military, and have won a number of prestigious international accolades for my work. In addition to weddings, I shoot extensively for magazines and advertising.

Contact Information:
Evan Baines, Nashville, Tennessee Wedding Photographer
Website: Evan Baines Photography | Email: evan@evanbaines.com | Phone: (931)436-3004

How did you get your start and why did you chose wedding photography as a career?

I originally learned photography in the US Army’s Special Forces in the context of surveillance work, and it grew into a consuming hobby for me. When I left the service, my original plan was to attend medical school, and I started this little side photography business to help pay my way. After a year or so, it became apparent that photography wasn’t the side-anything for me, and I decided to pursue this career full time.

How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?

There are few things more dangerous than a wedding photographer with ONE good wedding in his or her portfolio. There are certain lighting conditions and settings that can make it exceptionally easy to create pleasing photographs, even if your technical ability is extremely limited. However, these conditions are seldom present for an entire wedding day, if they are present at all. It takes a great deal of experience to reliably produce outstanding imagery under adverse conditions. I’ve shot weddings by candle light, in harsh midday sun, ceremonies that were heavily back-lit, and even certified natural disasters. You would have a hard time finding a situation that I haven’t dealt with, and found a way to produce great photographs.

What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

My favorite weddings are sincere weddings. When the couple wears their hearts on their sleeves, and the families are warm and open, I get to create what I consider my most meaningful work. “Showy” weddings are fun, but heartfelt weddings are why I do what I do.

What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

Talk to your photographer as you plan your schedule! For instance, lots of couples these days want to get the portraits done before the ceremony… that’s fine, but if it means you’re planning on doing outdoor portraits at 2pm in the summertime, you may be giving your photographer fewer options to make really spectacular shots.

What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

I think the single biggest challenge in wedding photography is making sure that the images are truly a reflection of the client and their values. So many of us photographers get caught up in our “look,” impressing other photographers, competitions, driving blog traffic, and so on that its easy to chase after “rock-star” images that while impressive, may not be as meaningful to the clients. The single most important standard for me is to create a body of truly meaningful photographs for each of my clients. Impressive photos aren’t hard to come by, but truly meaningful photographs, where the artistry facilitates vital content, are a real challenge.

What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings?

I play lacrosse, mountain bike, and spend time with my amazing wife. We are both very serious about food and wine, so experiencing new restaurants is a big part of our social life.

How would you describe your style of photography?

The documentary aspect of wedding photography is the most important part of coverage to me. I would say that I’m heavily influenced by photography from the golden age of photojournalism, and also look at classic fashion/portrait photography for inspiration. In general, I want to draw upon work that has an established track record for timelessness.

What do you offer to clients that is unique? What is your Unique Selling Proposition?

I am one of the few photographers around who still offers weddings shot entirely on black & white film, and then create hand-made albums of individually crafted silver gelatin (fiber) prints. Lots of people these days apply “faux-vintage” looks to their digital files in photoshop. I offer the real deal.

Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it’s important to provide albums.

I offer albums and prints, and I think one of the great neglected areas of contemporary photography is good printmaking. I’ve seen lots of great photographers settle for really mediocre prints, because the focus these days seems to be on making a shot look good for the blog. For digital, I make prints myself through a painstaking process involving multiple test prints or strips, experimenting with different papers… For film, I hire one of the greatest active printmakers in the country to carefully craft each print.

What (or who) inspires you?

I have countless books on photography, and study a great many photographers… but the ones who have been the most important to me are: Richard Avedon, Robert Frank, W. Eugene Smith, David Seidner.

What’s the best photography-related advice you’ve been given?

Abolish the word “formals” from your vocabulary. Rather, you should aspire to shooting warm-hearted editorial family portraits. Simply using the word “formals” dictates both your and your subjects’ attitudes toward them.

What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

I am obsessive and stubborn.

What is the biggest challenge facing wedding photographers today?

It used to be that it took a great deal of training and experience simply to achieve proper focus and exposure under changing conditions, back in the days of film. Digital technology has made “technically adequate” imagery within reach of almost anyone with a camera. The fact is that technically adequate is good enough for MOST people getting married. Most people don’t really care about art: when was the last time the average couple visited an art museum for fun? Thus, I believe that wedding photography as a profession is going to become more like any other field for professional artists: the middle of the market will continue to fade, and there will be increased stratification between the weekend warriors at the low end and a small handful of very talented individuals at the top end who cater to a select group of clients with more refined tastes.

Thanks for the interview Evan! If anyone has questions for Evan, go ahead and leave them in the comments below.

Contact Information:
Evan Baines, Nashville, Tennessee Wedding Photographer
Website: Evan Baines Photography | Email: evan@evanbaines.com | Phone: (931)436-3004

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.