I first picked up a camera in High School when I signed up for a black and white photography class. I remember truly enjoying my time spent in the dark room printing the images I had captured. At that time I found myself being inspired by the manipulation of the negative during post processing and printing. Although I still enjoy manipulating the images during post processing (when I am not sitting under four weddings worth of images, whew!), I much prefer the creativity and inspiration that can occur on location through the use of creative, off camera lighting and many other photography techniques I now have tucked away in my bag of tricks.
Once I transferred to Calpoly, I was starting to learn the ins and outs of color photography and portraiture. Both landscape and portraiture captured my interest at the same time. The last couple of years in college digital cameras were becoming popular as a valid source for capturing quality images. The first time I looked at the back of the camera body after snapping an image, I was an instant convert! I loved how quickly I learned new techniques. No more taking notes and looking carefully over slides a week later to compare results. And post processing on a computer allows me to do even more than I could have ever imagined and quicker than I would have thought possible. This is a very exciting time to be a wedding photographer. I am constantly amazed by the quality of imagery my industry is now expected to produce. I am inspired every time I pick up the camera to push my own limits towards the creation of amazing images.
Weddings are an ideal scenario for creating amazing images. My experience and training has taught me to anticipate and react to those special moments that only occur once. And at the same time, inspiration combined with practiced technique and mixed with a couple that is truly in love, is a perfect opportunity to capture a brilliant moment.
These moments are why I am a wedding photographer. I am inspired.
