If something in my work calls to them, I encourage couples to contact me, regardless of where they are located or what they are envisioning for their wedding day! The greatest honour of my life is documenting love in all its forms…”
Amanda Waller, founder and lead photographer, Amanda Elizabeth Studio, CA.
Amanda Waller, the founder and lead photographer of Amanda Elizabeth Studio, is a destination wedding photographer with a focus on editorial and documentary photography, who is based on the West Coast of the United States. Here we discuss the philosophy behind Amanda’s images…
C&B: “Amanda, what first inspired you to pursue a career in wedding photography?”
AW: “That’s easy: I love style, I love travel and I love people. Weddings are the intersection of all three: intentional design, the places that mean something, and the human heart beat behind a once in a lifetime ceremony and celebration. After years in a corporate role, the call to pursue a career in the creative became impossible to ignore. I adore being by my client’s side on their most joyous days, and it’s an honour to immortalise their memories through photography. Documenting fleeting moments to immortalise them for a lifetime never ceases to fulfil me…”
Design is a unique, intentional expression; without it, the story lacks substance. And design doesn’t always need to be grand; sometimes it can just be a field of wildflowers the couple is running through. No matter what the design element, when it reflects the couple and their relationship, it highlights their story in one simple frame…”
Amanda Waller, founder and lead photographer, Amanda Elizabeth Studio, CA
C&B: “How would you describe your photographic style?”
AW: “My style is that of editorial – think intentionally curated, fashion-forward moments, and documentary – think candid, fly-on-the-wall moments. I like to combine both approaches to achieve an emotive, lifestyle aesthetic – something you’d see in the likes of VOGUE magazine, or something similar. There is so much power behind love and the story people tell in their wedding days, it’s my goal to bring all of that to the forefront of the photos I take. Over the years, my style has evolved from documentary-forward, to what it is now: an even balance of editorial and documentary. As I’ve evolved in my craft, I’ve found the most powerful images are not only found in the moments when the groom lets a candid tear fall down his cheek, but also in the intentional, personality-driven photo that takes a few extra minutes to direct and compose. In my editing, I strive to achieve a true-to-colour finish, no oversaturated skin tones here! The overall impression my work should leave you with is centred on three key descriptors: romantic, organic, refined…”
C&B: “In your opinion, what are the essential elements that contribute to unique wedding image?”
AW: “Essential elements that contribute to a successful wedding photograph: (1) authenticity (2) lighting and composition (3) design. My couples’ favourite photographs are always those that capture an authentic piece of their love story or relationship – whether that be a soft smile, a giddy laugh, or a smouldering portrait. Lighting and composition make the moment possible, they’re the mechanics of photographic excellence. Design is the underrated element that oftentimes gets overlooked. Design is everything: what colour of flower the bride chose to put in her bouquet, what fashion choices represent her personality best, what wedding accessories represent her culture or express her inner artistry…”
C&B: “How do you build rapport with couples to make them comfortable in front of the camera?”
AW: “We hear it all the time, and it’s true: building trust is the core to building a foundational relationship centred on comfort and ease. With my couples, honest, open and consistent communication is paramount in building trust. Throughout the onboarding and planning processes, we have fun too! We mood board their vision for their photos, we talk about where they may have insecurities, we decide on whether the photos will lean more documentary or editorial or both. These are all important conversations to have leading into our photoshoot so that by the time they’re in front of the camera, they know what to expect. No matter how documentary or editorial we lean, I am always there with direction and prompts to get them moving and comfortable in front of the lens. I always say a couples photoshoot is like a new type of date you’ve never been on before – you’re bonding with each other in a new way and having fun while doing it! The more we collaborate on the creative angle of it, the more the couple is at ease in front of the camera…”
Emotions are the headlines, details are the contextual elements that tie everything together for the final story. I ask all couples to put together a box of their key accessories – something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue; perfume and cologne; heirloom jewellery; fashion elements (shoes, veil); wedding invitations; anything else they want documented. I’ll use this box to create editorial flat lays and detail shots, incorporating design details from the day into the shots as well (things like wedding florals and tablescape pieces). But details go beyond just flat lays, they extend into venue shots that set the scene, floral arrangements, table scape designs, curated furniture and signature drinks. With the type of luxury weddings I tend to document, no detail is chosen on a whim and it’s important to tastefully incorporate these details into the final gallery…”
Amanda Waller, founder and lead photographer, Amanda Elizabeth Studio, CA
C&B: “Could you share a particularly memorable experience you’ve had while photographing a wedding?”
AW: “All my weddings are memorable in their own right, I still tear up every time a good vow is exchanged or speech made. Some of the most memorable weddings are those where everything, against all odds, falls into place – I call it wedding serendipity. It’s the moments where tornados are in the weather forecast and the sun peaks out just in time for the ceremony – that happened in the Berkshires last Fall. Or when the schedule is far behind and somehow vows get exchanged just as sunset begins, casting golden hour over the couple and guests. Or sometimes it’s the unexpected moments of love – the side glance that shows all the couple’s love in one look, the tears from dad during his first look with his daughter, the excitement of grandma in the front row as she waves at her grandson up at the altar…”
Location is everything, and making the effort to scope the venue in advance of the wedding is critical to ensuring we have the right spot for every portrait session of the wedding day. Lighting and backdrop are the most important aspects. Lighting is paramount: without good lighting, you don’t have an image worth looking at. Flat light is the baseline I’m always sure to capture no matter the time of day. But when we want to get a little bit more artistic, the lighting that casts an interesting shadow is always something to lean into and play with for a more editorial portrait. The background is key as well. You have a modern aesthetic wedding design? We’ll put you in front of a neutral backdrop. Your wedding is garden party themed? We’ll put you in front of an ivy wall or an ornate floral arrangement. You chose your venue for its dramatic landscapes? You best believe we’re placing you directly into that landscape…”
Amanda Waller, founder and lead photographer, Amanda Elizabeth Studio, CA
C&B: “How do you ensure that each couple’s unique story is reflected in their final images?”
AW: “Ensuring key aspects of their story and day are discussed upfront through the planning process will weave the components of the couple’s unique story into their wedding photos. I have a process for asking couples to share important customs, design elements, and sentimental details with me as we get to know each other and we plan the big day. I do this with questionnaires and intentional discussion. I never want to make this process of sharing feel like a chore, but enabling space to discuss is important. Every couple is different too – if I have a couple that is a bit more private or reserved, that’s part of their story too and is conveyed in their photos…”
C&B: “Final question, Amanda: What do you believe sets your work apart from other wedding photographers?”
AW: “I’m obsessed with detail. Not only details in the traditional sense, but details within every photo. Are the lines straight? Are all loose strands of hair in place or removed? Is the backdrop void of excess noise? Is the lighting achieving the desired tone of the image? I pay attention while photographing a wedding and I edit accordingly. My final photos are highly curated while also feeling organic and lived-in. That’s the balance I constantly attempt to strike: the refined hero moments with the messy, emotive, in-between moments that wedding days are made of…”
AMANDA’S TOP TIPS FOR COUPLES:
First tip: Couples should take some time to look through various inspirational material and get a sense of how they want their photos to look and feel, then share that inspiration with the me. The more both the couple and the photographer collaborate on a shared vision, the more at ease they’ll feel when in front of the camera.
Second tip: Couples should allocate enough time in their schedule and trust the photographer’s advice on the timeline. When individuals aren’t rushed, they remain present and immersed in the joy of their day, which is reflected in the photos.
Third (and most important) tip: Couples should leave the photography to the professional. When they’re not being posed by the photographer, it’s best to forget that the photographer is present. They should let the photographer follow them, be present with their partner, and live out their day. The less cognisant they are of the camera, the better chance the photographer has of capturing their authentic selves and story.
PLANNER CREDITS:
- Gather With Mimi
- Miinori Co.
CONTACT: http://www.amandaelizabethstudio.com
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