Vendor Spotlight: Sarah Valencia Photography

Describe your style in one sentence?

I’m there to capture the real deal… genuine emotion, love and the adventure of it all.

What’s been your favorite experience as a wedding photographer?

Each wedding has been so uniquely beautiful, it’s hard to pick just one moment. I’d have to say my very first elopement I captured as a photographer. It was in the Rocky Mountains with just the couple and a handful of family members tucked away in the forest next to a lake. There wasn’t a specific moment per say, but more so the entire day was so honest and heartfelt. It was so simple and centered around what a marriage truly is about; there wasn’t a dry eye in the place (including me!). I’ll never forget how welcomed I was by the couple and their family into this really intimate gathering. It was truly a day for the books.

What do you love most about photographing weddings?

The unscripted moments and genuine emotion throughout the day. Everyone (the couple, friends, family, etc.) has their own reaction to different moments. When people wear their heart on their sleeve and you get to see those really beautifully raw moments, it makes it all worth it.

Where is the most interesting or unique place you’ve photographed a wedding? Was there anything especially challenging about it?

I’d have to say overall Colorado is one of the most interesting places to photograph, whether it’s a wedding, elopement or engagement. There are so many different types of beautiful landscapes. You can drive an hour and be in snow-capped mountains, or geological rock formations, or sand dunes, or beautifully carved canyons. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful places to photograph and live. The main challenge I’ve had here is learning to work with the sunlight. It’s pretty strong during the day (hello afternoon weddings!) and it drops quickly over the mountains at sunset depending on where you’re at. It’s been a good learning experience all around.

Do you have a favorite, must-capture moment for every wedding?

The first look! Whether the couple decides to do an intimate first look or see each other for the first time at the ceremony, it’s my favorite part of the whole day.

As a photographer, what has been your biggest wedding day challenge?

Good ol’ camera phones and social media during the ceremony. I always suggest to my couples to have an unplugged ceremony. And I totally get it, we all want photos of the walk down the aisle and the first kiss, totally understandable! But there is something so beautiful about simply being present in the moment and letting me do the work of capturing the ceremony. Plus, you don’t have guests getting up in the aisle to take a photo and forever being in the shot of your walk down.

What piece of advice would you give brides and grooms to get wedding photos they love forever?

Definitely, work with your photographer and wedding planner (if you have one) on the wedding day schedule. I help create the day-of schedule for all of my couples to fit in the time they want for photos so they don’t feel stressed or rushed. And definitely, pick a photographer you love and don’t be afraid of the investment. The cake, the venue, the flowers, all of that will fade into memories but your photos last forever and are shared forever with generations of family and friends. Don’t skimp on the photographer to save some money.

What are your favorite wedding trends to photograph right now?

I love that couples are throwing off the conventional norms and doing what fits them best. Eloping with a beautiful nature-filled background has been something we’re seeing more of and I really love that.

If you weren’t a wedding photographer, what would you be doing?

I’d definitely still be a photographer and maybe tap a bit more into design!

At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?

Weddings are such a beautiful celebration of love but it really all comes back to the honest love between two people. I think when you find that in someone and you work on that real, genuine stuff, that’s where joy is found.