Oguz’s father bought him a film camera when he was 18 years old. He fell in love with the process of making images back then, but didn’t get serious until he went to film school in 2008. His love for the medium made him appreciate moving images too, and he specialized in cinematography. In the following years, taking photos and making films became him profession. Read on to learn more about Ozzie’s unique perspective and why he loves photographing weddings.
You can find Ozzie online and on Instagram and Facebook!
How did you get into wedding photography specifically?
Friends and family, who followed my growth as an artist, started to notice my photography and asked me to capture their special days. I really enjoyed being part of their celebrations and kept saying “yes” when I got asked to capture their weddings.
Describe your style in one sentence.
I like capturing moments as they happen in front of me, in natural light, where the subjects are unaware of me so they appear as they really are.
What do you love most about photographing weddings? Why do you photograph weddings in particular?
I know the couples I get to work with (and their family and friends) are going to look, share, enjoy these images for the rest of their lives. It is very special to me to be part of their memories in that way. I photograph weddings because I love getting to know the couples, listening their stories of how they met, and how they fell in love. To me it is all about stories!
Where is the most interesting or unique place you’ve photographed a wedding? Was there anything especially challenging about it?
I love weddings that take place in or near nature. When there is a little break, I love taking the couple for a walk. There is a sense of peace and solitude you get when you photograph the couple in nature, and I really like that. The challenge is of course walking around in nature with a bride in her wedding dress and heels on. It ends up being fun though!
Do you have a favorite, must-capture moment for every wedding?
The couple’s portraits together is the most important to me, so I make sure everything comes together nicely. I spend a lot of time working with the couple to make them feel comfortable so the images will look natural. You have to consider things like background, composition, lighting and timing—everything has to be just right!
What’s the most unique photo you’ve ever taken at a wedding?
This little boy was just playing around at a wedding. He sat down for just a moment. The lighting, the background, the outfit, his pose—it was like a perfectly planned photo shoot.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten at a wedding?
I feel lucky that I get to work with couples from different cultures. So I have the opportunity to enjoy lots of authentic foods from all over the world. So far Indian food has been the best!
As a photographer, what has been your biggest wedding day challenge?
Everything happens so fast at weddings and everything happens just once! So I have to be in the right place at the right time, all the time! And I have to be ready to catch the moment. It does get stressful at times but as you get more experienced you get better at being prepared for those can not miss moments.
What piece of advice would you give brides and grooms to ensure that they get wedding photos they love forever?
The more you are prepared the less surprises you are gonna have to deal with. But no matter how hard you work some things are not gonna go the way you planned. Don’t let those moments ruin the whole day. Keep calm, keep smiling. It all works out every time, somehow.
What piece of advice would you give to wedding guests who want to take better pictures at weddings they attend?
I tell couples to tell their guests that if they see a photographer capturing the moment they should keep their cameras in their pockets and enjoy the moment. If it is a special occasion where the groom is next to you and photographer is busy with the bride elsewhere, then go ahead and snap your selfie with him—but guests should be there to enjoy the wedding, not to capture every moment on their smartphones.
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy should last forever. What does that mean to you?
Weddings to me are a foretaste of what is to come. It is a celebration of two lives getting entering into a lifetime commitment. Becoming a family, living life together in harmony and joy. It is about future as much as it is about here and now.
