Over the years of doing so many weddings we get to meet many photographers and see their work of our clients. Some we even gain relationships and collaborate off season! I have such a respect for photographers and finding the right one that suits your vision is so important. I am not one to ever think anyone with a camera can take a good picture. There’s definitely more to it than that. Some have their own niches just like we do in the beauty industry. Like any artist, a passion in a specific category with what they are shooting will show in the end results. We get to have a different view of the process of a photographer but still be an outsider to their world. We are all creative artists to what we do so the respect level for me is high when I find a photographer that produces great work, is easy to work with, and is reasonable to their approach with business and how they handle clients. With that being said, I wanted to give some recommendations based just from my own experiences paired with clients feedback. I make these recommendations not as a benefit to my business in any way for exchange for promotion but, an honest opinion from one artist to another. If your not on my list, I don’t mean it as an insult whatsoever.
Starting the list… Catherine Fiehn http://www.catherinefiehnphotography.com/
She is my go to photographer when I need an artistic approach to a photo. What she does with editing amazes me every time. To me with clients she has a journalistic approach paired with something editorial. That’s the best way I can describe it! lol We have crossed paths many times on locations with weddings and every year she collaborates with me for the promo of our Wigs for KIds charity event. Her stunning daughter has graced many of our charity promotions. She also documents the Wigs for Kids events for us every year. Not only does she shoot a wedding pretty fantastic but she also is known for her work that she does with pageants. Traveling throughout the U.S. You can check out more of her photos here as well for pageants and child modeling photography. http://www.catherinefiehnphotogenics.com/
Example of a project we worked on…
Next up, Marisa Balletti-Lavoie of Sassy Mouth Photo http://sassymouth.net/
We crossed paths also on weddings. Her name came up initially highly recommended by one of our clients and I had never heard of her work. Not long after she became a name that was quite frequently mentioned via clients so we had to check her out. She is definitely Sassy! lol Very fun to work with and easy going. Her photos have the same kind of fun spirit and always reminds me of something I would see on Pinterest! Even her studio is like you walked into Pinterest in real life! She is very creative and can bring out the best in you in a photo. She too has volunteered her time on a few charity projects we put together as well as done our staff photos on our website and most recently my maternity shoot! As a person self conscience in front of a camera she produced amazing photos that you would not be able to tell how much I hated to smile lol. She does alot of weddings and also has GLAM by Sassy which I also highly recommend for some hot photos of yourself. Everyone should feel comfortable and at ease and she has a knack for dragging it out of you easily with a laugh. Check out GLAM by Sassy too! http://sassymouth.net/GLAM.html
example from my Maternity GLAM shoot..
David Apuzzo, http://davidapuzzo.com/
I initially met David on a wedding that was the first of it’s kind I had come across. It was my bride’s second wedding with the same man. They had married prior to in another country where her husband was from and then in the states. David came to the salon when she was getting ready and documented the whole thing. It was the first time I saw someone not only capture so much detail with the bride but even for me! He took photos of the salon and things he saw throughout the salon. Details that I thought were so nice to have and never thought of to have either. That made him stand out to me from the beginning. We have since worked on more weddings together and collaborated outside on other artistic projects with myself personally or my staff. His work always impresses me without need for edits outside of what he already knows what to do. Again, his attention to detail and knowledge of what he does is impressive and very respected. As creative beings we have had our differences on a project but we can agree to disagree and work together very well. I find that really important. So that is another aspect to him I appreciate and why also I mention as a great recommendation. His work is versatile and very artistic.
Example from a recent project my staff did with him…
Joe Crawford, http://josephscrawford.com
Foto Joe! Always a pleasure to work with. Although we haven’t worked on too many of the same clients I have worked many times on personal projects with Joe and he delivers every time. He brings out another side of the art of what I do and makes me think in his terms… Lighting and not much editing. From my point of view he likes to bring out the rawness of what he sees. He uses lighting in a way I have never seen a photographer do. But when I see the results of what he produces I totally get it. His raw images are fascinating to me as they sit with no edits. I always look forward to when we can work on a project together and lose ourselves in the art of what we both do. He’s so easy to work with and an all around nice guy.
example of a project we collaborated on…one of many! 
Kevin Stiles… on Facebook.. https://www.facebook.com/kevin.stiles.5?fref=ts
Kevin is not a wedding photographer but I had to have him on my list because of the high respect I have for his work as an artist in general. He is a tattoo artist and does photography more on the side or as a hobby. I’m not sure. But, in a tattoo session with him I was surrounded by is unbelievable art and it was apparent his talent in other realms outside of tattooing He has a niche in photographing nudes. I had zero experience in this category and quite frankly never had interest. He asked to collaborate and I am so happy I did. His photos are always breathtaking and his ability to work with natural light is stunning. I am a huge fan of his work and always love any photo we create together. He can take a woman that is nude and make the photo literally a piece of art. He is a little quirky in his ways and I NEVER know what he is thinking. Because of the overwhelming art he exudes I feel sometimes intimidated and up for the challenge when I work with him. His approach is always tasteful and his eye for what he see is inspiring.
example of a past project:
Rounding out the list… Jerome Braga http://www.studio1923.com/
I have yet to collaborate or work on any projects with Jerome but from an admirer of photography aspect and feedback from clients, he is with out a doubt a person I mention when talking to people. We have often had the same clients and also follow on facebook and instagram. I would say I am definitely a fan. When inquiring on something for myself they were quick to respond and always professional. Unfortunately I was not able to book him at the time because his schedule does fill up and between the both of our schedules being chaotic it just didn’t work out. I would say based on what I see with what he captures he is also fantastic with editing and pulling creativity out of a photo. He is always professional when I see him on location and have yet to hear a negative comment from any client I know that has worked with his company.
Example of Jerome’s work can be seen on his FB page as well… unfortunately I have no personal photos I have the rights to share. https://www.facebook.com/studio1923
I hope my recommendations were helpful on your search to finding the right fit for your needs. In no way would I want to discredit any other photographers work because I have also seen some others that have done amazing jobs for clients of ours. I was just hoping to share the few that I have had the pleasure of working with more consistently to give an honest opinion. I am back on my hunt to find a newborn photographer for my daughter. any recommendations for me feel free to comment on this blog! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Beauty Entourage 