Boca Raton photographer Nicole Dechavez shares her most favorite moments of wedding photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did you get into photography? Are you self-taught or formally trained?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From the time my grandfather gifted me with my very first SLR camera at the age of 14, I was obsessed! I worked as a commercial and print model in my late teens through the early twenties, and even though I was constantly in front of the camera, I remained intrigued with the \u2018behind the scenes\u2019 aspect. I always sparked up conversations with photographers or the camera crew, asking about their equipment gear and lenses. Although the technical terms sounded foreign to me, you would find me with shocked and fascinated expressions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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I owe the majority of my success to the photographers who\u2019ve been gracious enough to share their knowledge with all other aspiring photographers! I decided to invest in myself and passion a few years ago and came across some amazing mentors. Through learning from those who\u2019ve already succeeded before me, I eventually developed my own style that I love!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Describe your style in one sentence.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Oh gosh! Well, let\u2019s see\u2014 Bright, natural, and timeless! (At least that\u2019s what I constantly strive for!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s been your favorite experience as a wedding photographer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I have so many favorites, but quite honestly, my most<\/em> favorite has been being able to work alongside Carmen, my best friend, and my soon-to-be husband!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What do you love most about photographing weddings? Why do you photograph weddings in particular?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What I love most about photographing weddings, other than the beautiful details and the amazing brides I\u2019ve been blessed to work with, is getting to know our couples and their families! By the end of the night, I love the prolonged goodbyes where you just can\u2019t seem to part ways! That\u2019s when I know I did my utmost best to ensure we served our couples well! Originally I wanted to specialize in studio and headshots, but after my first time second shooting a wedding, I fell in love with all aspects of it, from the beautiful, carefully picked out decor and details, to the love and beauty that’s being expressed the whole day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where is the most interesting or unique place you\u2019ve photographed a wedding? Was there anything especially challenging about it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t say I\u2019ve photographed a wedding anywhere totally extreme as of yet, but I would love to photograph an elopement somewhere on the west coast or a wedding in Italy! My fiance and I absolutely love<\/em> Italy and its culture! (And the food, my goodness, the food!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Do you have a favorite, must-capture moment for every wedding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One of my \u201cmust-capture\u201d moments that I try and get at every wedding is the intimate moments during ceremonies, either by the parents of the groom, family members, or getting the emotions of the groom at the alter when he sees his bride approaching him! It just melts my heart!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a photographer, what has been your biggest wedding day challenge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Actually, one of my biggest challenges happened at a most recent wedding! The venue that the couple chose went under construction months before their set date. So when we arrived, there was limited, to no, photo spots that would represent my style! Not to mention the thunderstorm that threatened us all<\/em> day! My perspective on challenges is the moment I don\u2019t feel challenged, that\u2019s the moment I stop growing. So with every wedding, if there are any that arise, I make sure to learn from them so I can be better prepared to serve our next clients well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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.)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
My advice is to go with a photographer that you click with and absolutely love from the start! After all, we are the ones that you\u2019ll be spending the majority of your big day with (more than you will with your significant other). When the wedding day is all said and done, the only things you leave with are the memories and the photos!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are your favorite wedding trends to photograph right now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I absolutely love first looks! (My fiance and I have decided to do one ourselves for our wedding because we see and know all the benefits of it!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you think an app like Joy can help make weddings better?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We spend so much time planning one day, and in a flash, the wedding\u2019s over! Joy can help educate brides and couples on everything from timing the major parts of the day to ensure enough photography time, to the most efficient ways to stretch their wedding budgets!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
If you weren\u2019t a wedding photographer, what would you be doing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I worked in management in the entertainment business for years before I took the leap to try and be my own boss. I\u2019ve always had a love for music and film and the entertainment industry. If I weren\u2019t a wedding photographer, I would probably be traveling around the country working with a talent agency or artists\u2019 management team!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I believe that after all the beautiful details, and florals, and crazy dancing, the reason why you both decided on forever should be what stands the test of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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