This week we have the amazing opportunity to feature someone who has been a loyal customer of ours. She is one heck of a wedding photographer and we love her colorful and vibrant style. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Junebug Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes and Utah Vally Bride, just to name a few. This week we are so excited to feature Eden Strader!
1. How did you get started with photography? And what was your first camera?
"I was incredibly lucky to be born into a family who loved the arts- and had chosen art centered careers as well! I carried around my parent's point and shoot for years as a child, and my mom bought my first camera (a Nikon 3200) when I was in high school. Being a photographer really was my dream job as a child- so as a freshman in college I bought a 7100 then dove into couples photography. I never looked back! It's been crazy cool to be finally living the job I wanted when I was younger."
2. Your style is so vibrant and beautiful, what was the journey of finding that style like?
"I've always been a huge lover of light and color- as kids, we were encouraged to try a lot of different artistic mediums, and a huge one for me was painting. A lot of my paintings were colorful and fashion-esque portraits, and it's been so fun to look back and see elements of my photography in my old paintings. My best advice when finding your own style is to follow what you love. Don't incorporate factors just because they're trendy, put your heart into your work and bring in things you're already passionate about! Your heart will never truly be in work that is forced, and there's nothing more fulfilling than producing work that you're passionate about. It's definitely a journey, so be patient with yourself, but it's so worth it in the end to create a style you love."
3. What is something most of your clients don’t know about you?
"Hm, I wouldn't say most don't know this, but I have two little doggos who are basically my babies! They are so cute but also completely crazy sometimes- when I'm not working, you'll find me with them most of the time. I always LOVE when my clients want to bring their pups to their sessions or incorporate them in their wedding- there's nothing better than your dog(s) making a cameo at your session!"
4. What are your top go-to lenses for shooting weddings?
"I shoot with a Nikon 24mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 45mm 2.8 tilt-shift, and 70-200mm 2.8. My 50mm and 70-200mm are my workhorses on weddings days, I recommend them to everyone! You can't survive on a wedding day without a longer focal length lens, it's worth every penny to invest."
5. If you had to choose one, would you choose to work in the studio or on location and why?
"Studio. What I love so much about studios is that they push me as an artist- I'm not provided with a stunning mountain range, gorgeous golden hour, or any other outside factors to make my images beautiful. In the studio creating gorgeous and consistent images completely relies on my own skills as a photographer!"
6. What is your favorite thing about being a photographer?
"I absolutely love being apart of such incredible moments with my clients. It is seriously such an honor to photograph weddings. I have seen such a beautiful side of humanity + relationships that not many people get to witness, let alone multiple times a month. It's simply incredible. On top of that, I'm able to create art in collaboration with my clients- in a way where both my artistic voice and theirs are represented. I couldn't have a better job."
Thanks so much to Eden for all of her tips and letting us get to know her! You can find out more about Eden on her website or Instagram.
See you next Friday!