Wedding photographer Jessamyn Harris is known for taking lovely, striking images of couples in love. I recently interviewed her about her business, and she provided all of those brides-to-be out there with valuable knowledge about what to look for when choosing a wedding photographer. Read on to find out all about Jessamyn's advice for hiring a wedding photographer, and if you're interested in hiring her, you can do so here.
CasaSugar: What's your favorite part about being a wedding photographer?
Jessamyn: Definitely the people I get to work with. I am really lucky to work with kind and creative clients who genuinely want a beautiful wedding because they love each other, and to whom artistic photography is a high priority. Combine that with gorgeous details to photograph, and it's a pretty nice setup. The best moments are when I really feel the connection between the bride and groom during the big and small moments of their wedding day, and of course when I know I got an amazing shot.
To see a gallery of Jessamyn's work, and to get her advice for choosing your own wedding photographer, just read more.
CasaSugar: What are the most challenging parts of your job?
Jessamyn: The most challenging aspects to being a wedding photographer are much the same as running any small business that is so based on the identity of the business owner — in other words, it's all me. I do all of the booking, planning, shooting, editing, and designing myself, as well as all of the other aspects of owning a business. Most of the time this is awesome and rewarding (because I hated working a full-time job for someone else!), but the flip side of that is that it can be exhausting and hard to escape. At the wedding itself, I work very hard physically and also emotionally to keep everyone happy and comfortable while being photographed. This is also something I like about it, though, so there are really two sides to each aspect.
CasaSugar: What should couples consider when choosing their wedding photographer?
Jessamyn: The number one thing a couple should look at when searching for a wedding photographer is style. You definitely want to be sure that what appeals to you is thoroughly represented in the photographers' portfolios. For example, my style is a mix of fine art, documentary, candid/ lifestyle shooting, and most of my clients are interested in keeping the more traditional family portraits to a minimum, with some time for unique portraits of the couple being the main focus. Most of my clients want candid, natural shots of the connections and moments between people, as well as some classic and beautiful portraits of themselves in their wedding finery. If I get the sense that a potential client wants a more traditional style than I tend to shoot (my style is something like "quirky, modern elegance"), I'll refer them to someone who has a little more mainstream sensibility. Besides style, I definitely think it's important to have a personal connection, or at least high comfort level, with your photographer. These two usually go hand in hand, but be sure they are someone you'll actually want at your wedding day. The more comfortable you feel with the photographer, the better the photos will be.
CasaSugar: What are some of the most memorable wedding shots you've taken?
Jessamyn: I have a shot going around the internet from a wedding last Summer of the bride's former roller derby teammates who served as usherettes at the couple's beautiful Napa Valley wedding, all in roller skates! This same wedding had a bounce house, and some other very unique details (and was recently featured on Style Me Pretty. Otherwise, it's usually the shots that I can tell will take the couple's breath away, or a shot of the bride looking like a beautiful vintage painting as she gets ready to get married. I also offer a "photo booth" type of setup, and these are often very memorable as well! This weekend, I had a very pregnant woman and her husband pose themselves as if she was about to deliver the baby, and there have been many other hilarious and shocking self-portraits taken.
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Vivien Caron
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Catherine Malandrino
Wow I really love her style. So artsy and edgy, yet casual at the same time.
1I love her work!
2Honestly my SIL took our wedding photos and she's MUCH better than this girl. Her style is great and what she chooses to take photos of but I don't like the photos themselves. They just don't seem to work. Things that should be the focal point of the picture aren't and it's off center and just weird angles. I'm also put off by a photographer that has such a horrible photo of herself to show to the world.
On a positive note, I love the name Jessamyn. Really pretty.
3I think Jessamyn is an excellent photographer. Her photographs are fresh, spontaneous, creative and beautiful. They truly have a modern and clean feel to them - I find her style really appealing. They remind me of pictures I've seen featured in magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings. She has provided some valuable information in this interview which makes me respect her even more.
Honestly, I think the picture of her is perfectly lovely and not deserving of such derisive remarks.
4Looking through such fantastic work makes me want to get married all over again! Her work is surprising, delightful, quirky, colorful ad illustrative. She sounds like a really fun person with such an upbeat personality! What a perfect artist and person to be photographing your wedding!!!
I love her angles and her off-beat focal points. It is what makes her unique and bold. Photography is not a stagnant rule-imposing artform, hello!
Thanks for the fantastic interview!
5i've been a fashion photographer for 20 years. Shot all over the planet for every magazine you can name. I normally don't involve myself with things such as this, but I felt compelled to respond to the post by Jaimal.
6Obviously, this person doesn't know squat about photography. It seems as though it's always the ones with no knowledge regarding a specific topic who voice negativity. This photographer's work, Jessamyn, is beautiful. End of story. She obviously has a great eye, as well as great knowledge and technical skills. Her "arty" work would stand up against anything myself, or any of my peers have had published internationally.
And where the heck is the comment about the shot of the photographer coming from? This girl is cute, very cute. I think old Jaimal might take into consideration that a lot of arty, talented people live in a world where they don't focus on the shallow, material, views and attitudes most of the planet share. It's a shot of the photographer, that's it, you can tell she's beyond buying into the meaningless values most people thrive on.
My opinion: This photographer rocks. She's a very talented photographer, a very cute person, obviously has her act together, and if, God forbid, I ever get married again, I'd hire her in a snap.
Jaimal, maybe if your head wasn't stuck so far up a certain part of your anatomy you could see things a little more clearly. When you're in your 20th year of bringing home 200k a year as a photographer, then, maybe, just maybe, I'll take the time to consider the value of your opinion.
JaimeLeah526-
This ones for you.
Damn, it kinda sucks that you feel you need to bash someone on looks. could it be because you feel that way about yourself?
It sucks that no matter what people do, what people say, or even what people look like- there is always that one idiot that has to put their rude 2 cents in.
Jessamyn is not ugly. Shes very pretty ACTUALLY.
This is a real cute picture she has up. It shows shes young, pretty, artistic (notice her with her cute attire, and the outside scenery?)
You probably didnt notice, as you were too concerned about looks.
Hopefully your going to read this. If I dont see a new post stating sorry, I will be sure to "private message" you this as well.
7I love her work! Original, fun, fashiony, canidid, spontaneous. Everything a great wedding photographer should be.
Love her bio pic. Someone I wold hire as I see her as laid back, approachable and a photographer I would want to spend my day with.
JamieLeah526...what is that picture of yourself that you decided to show the world exactly? Weren't feeling too confident about your looks to post an image of yourself? Apparently your SIL didn't take MUCH better photos if you couldn't find to feel secure enough to share of yourself.
Jessamyn was, as she should be as she is adorable!
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