Want your wedding to have a Hollywood feel? Then Sarah Hummert might be just the photographer you’re looking for. This LA-based wedding photographer cut her teeth photographing the Oscars, the Golden Globes, the Emmys, Sundance, and the Cannes Film Festival, and has shot portraits of numerous celebrities, ranging from Rob Lowe to Dan Akroyd to Rob Dyrdek. But at her core, she comes across as a hopeless romantic with a weakness for wedding vows who is truly passionate about getting to know her subjects, and capturing their personalities on camera.
Here at Joy headquarters, we’re huge fans of Sarah’s work and wanted to get inside her head, so we asked her some questions about why she loves weddings, what brides and grooms should ask a vendor before they book and what her biggest challenges are as a photographer.
What’s your must-capture moment at every wedding?
The must-capture moments are right after the ceremony, when the bride and groom have some time to interact in a more private space and share what they’ve each been feeling that day – it is always genuine (sometimes hilarious) and very sweet.
Photo credit: Sarah Hummert Photography
What’s been your biggest wedding day challenge?
Heat during an event is a challenge for sure! I am from Arizona, so you’d think I’d be used to it. But it’s incredibly uncomfortable for the bride and groom to be wearing a heavy dress and suit taking portraits in the middle of the day… not to mention me doing squats to get the right angle with all my gear strapped around myself!
Photo credit: Sarah Hummert Photography
What advice would you give brides and grooms to ensure that they get wedding photos they love forever?
My biggest piece of advice would be to communicate with your wedding photographer in advance. Make sure you meet and are comfortable with them, because trust is a very key factor. No one wants a photographer who has his or her own agenda. Also, take time to evaluate his or her style – I’m not perfect for everyone, and this day only happens once. I like to meet with people in person before the date, maybe do an engagement photo session and build a Pinterest board together to get an idea of their taste.
Photo credit: Sarah Hummert Photography
What piece of advice would you give to wedding guests who want to take better pictures at weddings they attend?
If you want to take great pictures for your friends at their wedding, I’d suggest aiming to capture a unique angle or moment that only you are present for. Remember that pictures are special because they provide you with a memory. Besides that, find good light, and make sure your photo is in focus – I love extremely wide angle shots and extreme close ups.
Photo credit: Sarah Hummert Photography
If you weren’t a wedding photographer, what would you be doing?
If I were not a wedding photographer, I would be traveling. The beauty within people and in our surroundings is obviously very important to me, and if I couldn’t get that through taking pictures, I would have to go out into the world and experience it by having adventures – climbing mountains, swimming in oceans and being immersed in other cultures.
Intrigued by Sarah’s work? Check out her website at www.SarahHummertPhoto.com.
