Wedding Photographer Interviews

Today on the blog we’re proud to feature an interview with Kentucky native Sabrina Hounshell, a very talented wedding photographer. Sabrina is an explorer at heart, just like many of our couples, and when she’s not frequenting her favorite Lexington hot spots and photographing weddings she’s hopping on flights to visit foreign destinations. In her bio, you’ll find Sabrina “genuinely considers life to be an adventure.”

Thank you for taking the time to answer some of our questions, Sabrina. How did you get into photography?

Thank you so much for reaching out to me for this interview! My story starts in high school – I was always that friend taking pictures with my point and shoot digital camera. I loved documenting life, my friends and family more than anything. Every sleepover and dinner together with friends – my camera was by my side! It was so constant that my friends and family would obviously get annoyed with me. But I started to notice the pictures I took being framed in their rooms and turned into their favorite photos on MySpace (yeah- back in those days!) and knew I was doing something people liked. As my love of photography progressed during this time I decided I wanted to be a photojournalist since I loved documenting people.

Was there a turning point when you realized you wanted to do portraits and wedding photography professionally?

When I started as a student at the University of Kentucky I immediately joined the university newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel, and started doing photojournalism work for them. This time really shaped my knowledge of composition and storytelling. About halfway through college, I went from working for the newspaper to photographing events for UK Public Relations and Marketing (UK PR). This allowed me to be less of a fly on the wall and to also interact with the subjects in the stories I was telling.

During that time at UK PR, I was asked by a friend to photograph his sister’s wedding. I had never even attended a wedding before and had zero ideas what happened at that type of event. My research to prepare for that first wedding led me to the work of several wedding photographers in California. Their work was creative, vibrant and fun. I was incredibly inspired by their work and decided then that I wanted to pursue portraits and wedding photography because of how much more creative the images and work could be.

We’ve noticed there is a real warmth to your photos, it appears as if the sun has made its way into many of your photos. The subjects seem to always be showing genuine emotion. Do you have a method for getting people to feel comfortable behind the camera?

Aw, thank you! I’m so glad that the warmth and emotion come through my images. I think making people feel comfortable in front of the camera is a mix of my personality, interacting with them, and instilling confidence in them with posing suggestions and by keeping things light and fun. The photographer is as much a part of the portrait experience as the subject – which is why it’s so important when choosing a photographer for your wedding or event that you find someone you click with! If a photographer makes you feel awkward your photos will probably look and feel awkward.

My goal when I’m taking pictures is to feel like a friend even if I’ve just met someone. I let them know there’s no expectation to be anything other than themselves, and that I’ll let them know if they look awkward. I’ll give them basic posing tips but I really just want to capture them – if a pose feels unnatural there is no pressure to do it the way I say, etc. I think building up that trust helps people feel more comfortable quite quickly, and they trust the process when I want to experiment with a photo that’s more creative.

You’ve shot a couple destination weddings in Mexico, where were these weddings at in Mexico? What was it like shooting abroad?

The weddings I’ve shot in Mexico have been in Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel. It’s always exciting to photograph abroad because the surroundings and lighting are different than shooting at your home location. With any job that involves traveling there is also the added responsibility of traveling with your gear and being prepared to do an amazing job serving your client. While everyone else at the wedding is attending (and you are enjoying that fun too), you are also working so it’s a very different experience than just being on vacation.

Was there anything more challenging about shooting in a foreign destination as opposed to locally?

Definitely! Destination work is seen by outsiders as being very glamorous but as I mentioned above, there’s added stress of traveling with expensive equipment and making sure you have what you need as many luxuries at home (like a reliable electronics store, for example) won’t be available to you. You have to be aware of where you are staying and keeping your gear and files safe while you’re visiting. Then when you return home you often have to get your gear cleaned from being in environments with sand and salt water as too much exposure to these elements can be very damaging to camera equipment.

Traveling often also means additional days in transit and at the location. This can take days of work away at home which means missed opportunities for booking more shoots. While destination work is incredible, it’s also a harder to make it financially worthwhile because there are so many other costs to factor in.

As a wedding photographer, are there any questions a couple could ask, or style suggestions before you begin work, that could make a photoshoot easier?

My biggest suggestion is to look through the photographer’s website/blog/portfolio and really make sure you love and trust the work they create without your input. Ask to see several FULL galleries of the shoot (this includes location, time of year, etc) you are interested in yourself and be confident in their abilities. Asking a photographer to change their style for you is not customary and is often viewed as rude and frustrating from our side of things. If you want a particular style it’s best to just find a photographer who already creates work that way instead of asking someone who does not to emulate it.

I would also recommend asking a photographer you’re interested in with how much guidance they are willing to give in terms of suggestions for outfits, lighting, locations, and timeline if it’s for a wedding day. The more trust you are able to put in your photographer, and value the work they create, the happier you will be with the images you receive!

Below is a selection of Sabrina’s photos from a destination wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico: [metaslider id=17432]

We can’t thank Sabrina enough for taking the time to answer our questions, and for sharing her amazing photos. You can find out more about her work at her official website by clicking the button below:

Seriously Sabrina

An Interview with Alfaaz Photography

Today on the blog we have a special feature, an interview with Alfaaz Photography. The studio specializes in capturing Indian and South Asian weddings, and have photographed beautiful destination weddings from Canada to the Dominican Republic. Catch the full interview below followed by a selection of their work.

How was Alfaaz Photography created?

I used to write poetry and “Alfaaz” means words. I always say, “Every picture is worth a thousand words”. I wanted images to compliment my words and that’s when I started learning photography. I have been photographing emotions ever since.

Was there a turning point when you decided to focus on Indian and South Asian weddings?

Indian weddings have always been my favorite type of weddings, because of the colors, emotions, and culture. I personally specialize in Hindu and Sikh weddings because I am originally born in Punjab, India. From the mountains of Norway to the castles of Columbia, or the beaches of the Dominican Republic, there has been this connection to my roots I have felt while photographing Indian weddings.

Where are some of your favorite wedding destinations that you’ve photographed?

Last year I got the chance to photograph a wedding in Columbia. I would consider it my favorite wedding solely because it was a very emotional wedding story altogether. You can view that wedding here.

When it comes to Indian destination weddings, there can be a lot of moments to capture. Is there a wedding event that is your favorite to take photos of?

My personal favorite for Indian weddings would be the Doli ceremony or the Baraat ceremony. There is just an overload of emotions you can see in every soul and it probably gives me a rush as well.

There are older family members, like aunts and grandparents, who have never been to these beach weddings before and their side of the story is always interesting to tell. Couples want a destination wedding for a reason, so it’s important for me to understand and to photograph the ‘why’. What is so special about this space where they are getting married?

Do you have any tips for other photographers when it comes to capturing the emotion, or genuine moments between couples?

Listen and don’t assume. I would say it’s important to listen to what the couple is looking for, and not to assume what they are looking for because another couple wanted the same. Be part of the family, to photograph something personal you have to make the couple comfortable of your presence. By always being there it is easier to become invisible.

Make sure you can feel the photographs you are taking because these images are not just for today, they are for the next generations as well. You want the viewer to feel as if they were there so don’t be shy to get close.

Is there anything more challenging about shooting in a foreign destination as opposed to locally?

Most importantly you should have additional backups of data or equipment. I personally am blessed to be part of a huge network of photographers while working locally, who are ready to help at the studio when needed. Let the new location inspire you rather than pigeon hole yourself to a specific set of preconceived ideas.

Lastly, as a photographer, are they any questions a couple could ask, or style suggestions before you begin work, that could make a photoshoot easier?

First, lay everything out as a couple, everything that comes to mind because it’s important for building that trust. If a couple doesn’t ask the questions I want them to ask I will bring it up myself.

Secondly, make sure you have seen a full body of work like a full gallery which was delivered to previous clients, not just the 15 images from their portfolio. Full body work can give you a real sense of the quality of their work.

Once you have got all the answers from your photographer and you have agreed to have them document your most important day, trust them fully! Being trusted as an artist gives you the space to perform at your absolute best.