Would you like to know more about my approach to wedding photography? After 17 years photographing weddings all over NYC and beyond, here are some of my thoughts.
Wendy G Photography Will Make Your Life Easier
After 17 years of being a NYC wedding photographer, I’ve learned so, so much. Right from the beginning, I’ve always written down what I’ve learned after each and every wedding. As an experienced, top wedding photographer, I’m constantly striving to offer the best service to each of my wedding couples. Consistency in my approach has always helped me to stay organized and ready for whatever may happen, planned or un-planned. And this is how I can be your friend!
I have systems in place to scout your location, learn key people’s names and connections, and help create a solid photography timeline, all of which sets you up for success to receive photos of all the moments that you want captured. I’ll work very closely with you and your wedding planner starting months before your wedding day to assure that you’ll receive everything you want and more. And with my consistent systems in place, you can relax on your wedding day and just trust me.
I’ll gently guide you when it’s time to do wedding portraits, but for the rest of your wedding day, you should be in the moment and having fun! It’s your wedding day and I want to capture you laughing with friends, hugging family, and moving on the dance floor! So relax — no wedding day is overwhelming for Wendy G Photography.
Your Wedding Photos Should Be Art
As a NYC Fine Art Wedding Photographer for the last 17 years, I’ve had the honor of photographing some of the most down to earth, hip, art-savvy couples in New York City. After my first four or five years of photographing WEDDINGS, I looked back at my work and all my wonderful couples and realized that Wendy G Photography wedding couples have an eye for art. I think it comes from living in New York City.
As a Fine Art Wedding Photographer, I easily connect with couples who are also artists. About half of my couples are Graphic Artists. Another thirty percent of my wedding couples have at least one person in advertising or music or theater. And my remaining wedding couples work as costume designers, interior designers or…. school teachers. At first I wondered how school teachers fit in with all these artistic wedding coupes I’ve had. But then I realized that NYC teachers are some of the most creative, resilient, open-hearted people you could ever meet. So there you have it.
Wendy G Photography has from the very beginning attracted creative-minded WEDDING COUPLES from NYC.
NYC is the ultimate backdrop for your wedding
Let’s be honest: there’s nothing quite like a Wedding in New York City. The Big Apple gives you endless photo options bursting with breathtaking scenery, colors, unique architecture and serendipitous moments happening all around.
I wasn’t raised here but after all these years I can say I’m not just a NYC Wedding Photographer, but I’m a New Yorker. Whatever changes happen in this city, I’m staying. And the NYC weddings?! Oh my! Where else can you go to get married except here in NYC and have a food truck right outside as folks leave the reception on their way to the subway to get to the after-party? Where else do you find authentic, artistic wall murals (sometimes called graffiti) providing that perfect splash of drama for your wedding photos? Even the New York City Subway stations can look pretty epic in your wedding pictures. And we have acres and acres of parks where you can have your wedding ceremony or just stop by for some gorgeous wedding photos.
Here in New York City we have architecture both old and new. Imagine your NYC wedding photos with the awesome sky scrapers of award winning design or the old bridges and monuments that were major design feats back when New York City was young. And we even have plenty of quiet, little hidden gems that are great for photographing couples, especially if you’re a little camera-shy and want to avoid crowds.
New York City has the perfect venue for you
I just love how every wedding couple can find just the right location for their wedding. Even given the same location, I’m always amazed at how each unique wedding couple’s unique vision shines through. And no matter your chosen location, Wendy G Photography is experienced photographing weddings in EVERY TYPE OF SPACE. Whether your perfect location is in a storied old New York hotel or a loft space or a garden or on a boat or on your Brooklyn door stoop, I’ve mastered how to use light, my cameras and lenses, angles, etc to capture your unrepeatable moments beautifully.
The Best Wedding Photographers Can Work in Any Light
Who wants to get dark, grainy wedding reception photos and be told that it’s “art”? Or what about strange color casts? Not good. I use natural light when it’s favorable, or I use some type of flash (on or off my camera) to create flattering light when needed. With my years of experience shooting weddings with real film — 35 mm film and Medium Format film — I know what proper color and density look like and how to achieve it consistently.
Over the years I’ve evolved to using my favorite Film Emulsions plus some supplemental Digital Photography. My favorite will always be film for all the reasons I talk about HERE. But I’ve found digital cameras to be wonderful when photographing some part of the wedding day in low light situations. So I’ve created tried and true techniques to consistently get great lighting even when the lighting isn’t so great.
And I use classic, straightforward editing for my digital photos so they look just as timeless as my film photos. I stay far, far away from photo editing trends or filters or anything that would make your wedding photos look dated. In Wedding Photography, the key word for me is Timeless.
And to get timeless wedding photos I keep it very clean and consistent by:
- shooting plenty of Analog Film — mainly Kodak and Ilford
- only Lightly Editing Digital Images — no extreme color shifts or trendy filters, etc
- using available light when it’s favorable
- creating light whenever needed
Wendy G is a New Yorker
Not only will I move quietly and unobtrusively throughout your wedding day, but I can handle any type of personality. I’m a New Yorker, not just a NYC wedding photographer. Your uncle Bob who just got a new camera and wants to take hundreds of photos? I see him. I’ll befriend him and he won’t be blocking any of my shots. Does your mom want her own private photoshoot? Yeah this happens sometimes. I’ll take a few amazing photos of her and then of her with her friends because your parents want great photos too 🙂 And that friend from work who wants to sideline you with waaaay too long a story while you look like a deer caught in the headlights as your food gets cold? I can rescue you from that too. Trust me. I’ve seen it all. I’m here for you.
Wendy G is On Your Side
There are so many ways I could go on and on with you regarding tips and encouragement and little hacks I’ve learned as a NYC Wedding Photographer. Seriously, you need to feel comfortable with whomever is photographing your wedding. Their wedding photography portfolio should be stunning, of course that goes without saying. This is why I relentlessly work on my craft as a Fine Art Wedding Photographer. But their personality and graciousness is a huge part of your experience.
What sets me apart is my ability to think fast, quickly solve problems, be calm, respect others, and strive to serve.
- I really believe that the wedding day should not be a photoshoot. You are to enjoy your loved ones and be in the moment. Wedding Photography should fit nicely within the overall structure of your day.
- I believe that I’m here to serve you. So I come prepared with a timeline and lots of ideas but I’m totally open to your ideas as well.
- I believe that I need to be a good citizen and get along with all your other vendors. The Wedding Planner, Videographer, Florist, etc all want to do their best work, just like I want my wedding photography to be my best work for you. I’m gonna be a friend to EVERY vendor for your sake.
- I believe the Filmmaker or Videographer needs to have their time for great shots and footage too, both candid and artistic moments.
- a smile goes a long, long way and being kind never hurt anybody.
- Read HERE what others say about me.
Begin Your Wedding Photography Journey
Do you like what you’re reading and seeing here? Great! Because if my philosophy and images resonate with you, I’d love to chat with you about your vision for your wedding day. Just CONTACT ME to set up a video or phone call.
I want to hear all the details about you and your wedding — how you met, what you like most about your venue, what style and atmosphere you want for your wedding day, etc, etc. I’ll share with you how I’d work within the flow of your wedding day, my packages, and then answer any questions you may have. Then I’ll follow up with you with a custom proposal including a few different package options.
After we’re booked, we start planning your ENGAGEMENT SESSION. I’ll work closely with you to plan the location and STYLING options. It’ll be a great opportunity for us to get more acquainted, for you to get some cool photos that you can use for all sorts of things, and you’ll feel more CONFIDENT AND RELAXED while being photographed on your wedding day.
Then a few months before your big day, we’ll sort out the timeline and other key details for YOUR WEDDING DAY. This keeps all of us, you, your wedding planner, and me in sync so you successfully receive the photographs that you want. Much planning goes into your wedding day, therefore it’s my honor and responsibility as your photographer to work seamlessly alongside everything else for your wedding day vision to be captured beautifully.
Then after the wedding come proofs, albums, digital files, cards, wall prints and more because Wendy G Photography is not just somebody with a nice camera but a full service, seasoned, Fine Art New York City Wedding Photographer.
