A wedding, like marriage, is about the little things.
Kind gestures, adoration, sneaky kisses, appreciation, and unconditional love.
When telling people we're wedding photographers, the most common response is,” How do you handle the stress? I could never handle the pressure of capturing all of those big moments”
Little do they know, those big moments are the easiest to capture because they are written out in a timeline, so we know precisely when they will happen - and we are given a front-row seat.
The part we have to tune in for are the moments that happen in between all of those big ones.
So, instead of internalizing a shot list, we allow our intuition & curiosity to pull our direction. Our style is candid-heavy with a touch of casual editorial when the fashion hits. We follow the bellows of laughter and shamelessly eavesdrop with our eyes on conversations around us. We feel the room, hunting for pretty shiny things & interesting people to photograph.
We have a natural ability to blend in with your guests, even down to the wedding day dress code. We are a part of your wedding, experiencing every moment and connecting with your favorite people. Our presence is felt as both participants & observers, ebbing & flowing alongside everyone else, feeding off the energy around us.
As individual artists, we have our own portfolios.
We sometimes shoot separately & sometimes (love to) shoot together.
Chellise [portfolio]
I once had a client tell me that on her Grandfather’s deathbed, his last request was to see his wedding album one last time. This hit me hard and is a constant reminder of the importance of photographs and my role as a photographer. Knowing that my images will be viewed over and over by generations that will surpass me in existence is a strange and beautiful honor that profoundly shapes my approach and process.
My greatest gift, so Im told, is the ability to make people feel special and relaxed in front of the camera. My work is about connection, putting people at ease, and guiding them through the painful/scary/vulnerable feeling of being photographed. Trust is crucial, and it takes us time to get there, which is why we gift an engagement shoot to all of our couples. These sessions are, undoubtedly, the secret sauce of our process.
I shoot on a mix of digital and film cameras. Choosing which cameras I use for each wedding is led by logic, intuition, and mood. And while analog film is trending at the moment, it’s worth noting that I’ve been shooting on analog for decades.
Mike [portfolio]
I match the feel of a room well. Though rather than mimicking wall paper, I am there with you. Depending on the people I’m around, my mirroring shifts tone, color and volume. Subdued when the room is calm. Hype when the ground beneath erupts. I pull back when needed and rhyme with the timbre of the scene. This never feels out of place or forced because of the time we spend during the e-session. So much understanding of one another is gained through our process and I need that type of connection to make the work that you see.
I do not shy away from being my whole self at weddings, which empathizes with everyone’s comfort and experience, conspiring toward connections and having a damn fine good time. The resonance I gain with my couples webs out amongst certain members of your family and friends, which ultimately opens me up to gaining trust with your different factions and groups of people. If it’s feasible, I love having a seat at the table with your guests for dinner to dive in even deeper. These lines of connection blossom into real pictures of real people having a really good time. If every photo is a self portrait of the photographer, then you can see in my work the joy I love to bring to every moment I’m a part of.
As far as tools go, I shoot on a variety of 35mm and 120mm film cameras and a tiny bit of digital. I am way more comfortable with analog machines but I know their limitations and ask for your trust in my knowledge and artistry of knowing when to use the appropriate tool for the job.
Client Experience
A google hang with both of you for starters. Our process is relationship-based, so it’s vital that we click and share the same values when it comes to weddings and photography.
To secure your date, a 50% retainer & signing on the dotted line is required.
From there, we get you on the calendar for a not-so-scary, relaxed engagement shoot at your place, shot entirely on analog film and likely fueled by a snack plate & margaritas. This session is gifted to all of our couples.
You get your film scans from the engagement shoot and are relieved. You love them! They dont feel cheesy and… you look hot. Your Mom loves them too.
60 days from your wedding, we send a questionnaire and schedule a meeting with you two and your planner to go over requests, photo timing & logistics.
After the wedding…
Within 2 weeks, you will receive a carefully curated selection of film shots throughout the day, usually 20-30 images. This holds you two over while we get going on the whole enchilada.
At the 2-month mark, your gallery (700+images) will be delivered to you. Your private photo gallery will thrive in the cloud for one year with offerings for framed prints, albums, thank you cards, and more.