How did you get into photography? Are you self taught or formally trained?
I had two photography classes in high school and I knew I enjoyed the programs we would use as well as actually taking the pictures. My senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to do an internship with another photographer. Through that I was able to get a scholarship for a class that an Ogden photographer was teaching. Between those two things, I learned quite a bit but what did the most for me and where I learned the most for the style I was going for was 2nd shooting with a photographer named Ashlee Hair. She was absolutely amazing at what she did and she took me in and taught me more than I though possible. I will forever be grateful for her. (You can see Kiersten’s handiwork here!)
How did you get into wedding photography specifically?
I had done all kinds of shoots but realized that couples and love is where my heart is. I absolutely love seeing couples interact with each other and how happy they are together. Everyone’s love is unique and different and I love to capture those differences.
Describe your style in one sentence.
Warm, fun, and moody.
What’s been your favorite experience as a wedding photographer?
I can’t pin point one specific experience. There are so many good ones. I think what stands out is the couples that I have the opportunity to work with. There have been multiple times where I have teared up and had to pinch myself because I have felt so lucky to have met these people. I cannot even tell you how blessed I have felt with my clients. They’re all so amazing. So, I guess you could say my favorite experience is my clients.
What do you love most about photographing weddings? Why do you photograph weddings in particular?
I love seeing how happy these couples are on their wedding day. It’s a day that’s all about these two people. Their families come together to celebrate them and I love that.
Where is the most interesting or unique place you’ve photographed a wedding? Was there anything especially challenging about it?
The most unique place I have shot a wedding is in San Diego. Their wedding was at the San Diego Temple and then their reception was at the cutest warehouse in downtown San Diego. It was pretty amazing. They decorated everything so well. Everything was straight off of the Anthropologie website. My favorite part was seeing the city skyline lit up at night right out front. Also, they had a taco bar which is the absolute best. There wasn’t anything super challenging about it. Maybe when we wanted to get a shot of the couple out on the Sunset Cliffs but they had to walk down some sketchy hills to get to there right spot.
Do you have a favorite, must-capture moment for every wedding?
Honestly, I love the cake cutting. It brings everyone together and everyone gets so excited about it. I just love that energy.
What’s the most unique photo you’ve ever taken at a wedding?
The bride was dancing with her brother in place of her father who had recently passed away. They had a TV in the back ground playing photos of her father. The crowd as well as the brother and bride were in tears and I thought that was a very beautiful moment to capture.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten at a wedding?
Tacos! I am a huge Mexican food fan so when a wedding has tacos, you know it’s going to be a good day. Also, I recently went to a wedding where they had these brownie bites with cream cheese frosting on top. Not even kidding, I ate at least ten. They were so good. Haha!
What piece of advice would you give brides and grooms to ensure that they get wedding photos they love forever?
Be themselves and let their love show. I know it can be stressful being in front of the camera. It’s hard to not freeze up because honestly, how often are you in front of the camera? It’s something new and can feel awkward but my best advice is focusing on your person and being yourselves because that’s where you’re comfortable and when you’re comfortable, having fun, and enjoying it, you’ll love how the pictures turn out.
What are your favorite wedding trends to photograph right now?
All of the string lights that people have up at weddings. I love what it adds in the back ground.
What piece of advice would you give to wedding guests who want to take better pictures at weddings they attend?
Focus on the fun stuff.
If you were planning your own wedding, what would it be like?
My dream wedding would be on a beach in Lake Powell somewhere deep in the canyons with the red rock all around. I would lay out lots of boho rugs, line vintage string lights back and fourth above the rugs and that’s really all the decor I would want. The place itself is so gorgeous that I don’t think it needs much else. You would have to take a couple boats and a house boat to get to the location. We would stay a few days after the wedding just having the best time out on the lake with our loved ones. I would invite all of my family, my persons family, our friends. Just the people we love the most. The style would be pretty boho.
How do you think an app like Joy can help make weddings better?
Weddings can be so overwhelming. Especially when you have no idea where to start. Apps like this give you an outline as well as a way to organize everything you’re doing and keep it organized.
If you weren’t a wedding photographer, what would you be doing?
I would have gone into Dental Assisting. That’s what I was going to school for before becoming a photographer. But I couldn’t be happier with the way things have turned out! This is definitely what was meant for me.
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?
Joy is a feeling that will be with you forever. You will find joy in so many moments through out life.
