The Art of Noticing
When I'm photographing an event, whether it's my main niche of weddings or another gathering for a life milestone, my approach is simple: Candids First.
What started as a motto I created to cope with my anxiety around large groups earlier on in my career has become a genuine stylistic choice. I am an observer first and foremost, an orchestrator second. I'll direct the group photos that are important to my clients, I'll be ecstatic to pose the portrait session, and I'll gladly oblige when guests ask for a posed shot, but that's pretty much it. I have next to zero interest in directing a subject to feign emotion. In my opinion, if a moving moment doesn't happen naturally, it loses most of its meaning.
And I'll admit it: yes, I am still somewhat anxious around posing large groups. Less so than early on, sure. But I have a relatively quiet voice that even my former 5th grade students rarely heard raised in my six years of teaching. My clients often praise my calm, friendly presence, and the switch from a soothing voice to a drill sergeant is jarring.
So if I have a second photographer at a wedding or event who offers to take over the yelling when it's time for group photos? Hell yeah, I'll take them up on it. I'll lead the 99% of other moments during the day; the moments that require the most personal of connections. Or better yet: the moments that require no connection at all. Just thoughtful observation.
To me, photography, among many other things, is the art of noticing. Noticing a bridesmaid starting to well up with tears. Noticing a Bar Mitzvah's grandparents' embrace while their grandson makes his grand entrance. Noticing the grooms as they instinctively grab each other's hand while listening to a parent's speech. Noticing the tight hug exchanged between a mother and daughter at her baby shower. And shooting photos all the way through.
Of course, candid-first doesn't mean candids-only. It doesn't mean posed portraits don't matter. I still want to give you the family photos everyone will love and share, and the romantic portraits you'll eventually hang on your walls are one of the highlights of a wedding day for me. If you have a scene you want organized, we totally can do it (and make it look candid). I just don't want posed images to come at the expense of actually experiencing the day itself. I don't want them to come at the cost of the genuine emotions we can catch on camera.
If you're looking for a documentary wedding photographer in Maryland, DC, or Northern Virginia who will step in when needed and disappear into the background when not, that's exactly how I like to work. Let's connect and turn your memories into heirlooms.
