How did you get into photography? Are you self-taught or formally trained?
We’re both architects by training. Photography has always been a tool for us to make sense of the world and communicate our perspectives. Architecture school taught us photography fundamentals but more importantly how to think critically about a composition and the emotion it conveys.
Describe your style in one sentence.
Personal, intimate, artfully authentic.
The Du Studio Photography
What’s been your favorite experience as a wedding photographer?
We shot a wedding in the summer of 2016 at a lakeside farm in Wisconsin. We came in the night before and camped with the couple and most of their friends. The beverages came in the canoes and the bride arrived at the ceremony on a boat. We danced and laughed until way too late two days in a row. It was a gorgeous summer weekend!
The Du Studio Photography
Where is the most interesting or unique place you’ve photographed a wedding? Was there anything especially challenging about it?
(See above question!) It was actually challenging since it was the first wedding the two of us shot together and Shida was primarily using a manual 120mm film camera.
Do you have a favorite, must-capture moment for every wedding?
It’s not necessarily one moment. We always keep our eyes open for those passing, candid moments where people are in-between scenes and being their natural selves.
The Du Studio Photography
As a photographer, what has been your biggest wedding day challenge?
A schedule that is too compact. We highly recommend the couples we work with to allow a little extra time in each segment of the day so they can have some breathing room to take a moment and savor the special moments.
What piece of advice would you give brides and grooms to ensure that they get wedding photos they love forever? (This can include tips about preparation, choosing a photographer, or anything else.)
If possible at all, meet with your photographer(s) in person even after the selection is made, so you can get to know them and they can know you. We always try to spend a little more time to spark that chemistry during the engagement session. A personable, relaxed and authentic photograph is a lasting photograph. And we truly believe it’s hardly achieved without building a connection between us and our client.
The Du Studio Photography
What are your favorite wedding trends to photograph right now?
We don’t analyze the wedding trends too much. Instead, we allow other disciplines like graphic design, architecture, and art, influence us.
If you weren’t a wedding photographer, what would you be doing?
At heart, we are artists, designers, and architects. The creative and collaborative process behind all these hats we wear is actually quite universal.
The Du Studio Photography
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?
We can’t agree more! As newlyweds ourselves, the memories of our weddings (Yes, we had more than one wedding celebration. Long story short, we’re a intercontinental couple) have given us constant inspiration and introspection. Professionally, we strive to create work that captures and crystallizes those precious moments for our clients.
