How I Planned My Wedding: Photography
A Wedding Planner's Personal Journey
One of the most important vendors you can hire for your wedding is your photographer. I chose my photographer, Meiwan Wang, because her images resonated with me. Not simply because she's a wedding photographer who shoots film and I'm in love with the tones and colors that can only be brought out with film, but because there's something about her images that makes her stand out from the sea of film photographers - her images make me stop and stare as I scroll through my Instagram feed, and they inspire me. Meiwen is one of the sweetest, most talented, and at the same time most humble people I know, and I think it's her humility that gives her the eye to find beauty in everything. I can't explain it in technical terms because I'm a noob when it comes to photography, but the closest I can get is that Meiwen sees things in ways I don't, and frames her shots in a way that makes me see things I didn't before. And as one of my favorite artists Edgar Degas said, "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."
As a wedding planner, I also really appreciated how Meiwen gave me different crops, focuses, and angles to choose from. It doesn't sound like it's a big deal, but it's sooo useful when I'm trying to put together a gallery that tells a specific story. Although wide shots are always great for showing the big picture, a close up of a ring or a boutonniere tells a more intimate and personal story.
Another thing that makes Meiwen a great photographer is her skill with styling. She styled my invitation suite with my shoes in the first image of the post, as well as in these two images above! I think styling is a crucial skill for a photographer to have, especially on weddings without a wedding planner who knows how to style. If you look through Meiwen's portfolio, you'll notice how she is able to take the simplest details and make them look elegant through her beautiful styling.
Meiwen also gave me lots of different angles of our place settings all with slightly different lighting to choose from, which is basically a planner's dream come true. Going through the gallery she sent me, her attention to detail amazed me.
Including this one for no particular reason. I just really like this shot hehe.
Meiwen, if you're reading this, I just wanted to say thank you so much for making our wedding look so beautiful! When I first got engaged, I was completely unsure of what I wanted for my wedding, but I knew I wanted it to be photographed by you. You are one of the kindest, sweetest, and most beautiful souls both inside and out, and I'm so lucky to call you my friend. Love youuuu! <3
All images by Meiwen Wang.