ISPWP Member Spotlight - Noveli Wedding Photography

1. How did you get your start and why did you choose wedding photography as a career?

Both of us (Summer and Stephen) got our start separately, offering to help a friend by photographing their wedding. We were both established Photographers, but didn’t realize how much we would fall in love with weddings. After our first Weddings’, we fell in love with the couples and the story the day gave us to capture. We learned that Wedding Photography was more than just Photography and spent the next several years focusing on making that our core Photography focus.

2. What are some of your favorite local venues?

Living in Greenville, SC has been a huge advantage for us. The number of venues located here is astronomical and it’s hard for us to choose just a few. The ones that stand out for us are:

The Old Cigar Warehouse: Having been just what it’s called, an old cigar warehouse, this venue is the perfect Brick Building that screams character everywhere you look. From its enormous and beautiful staircase that brides can walk down during the ceremony, to gorgeous Edison light chandeliers that hang over our couples during their first dance, it’s truly unique and very beautiful.

The Westin Poinsett: Traditionally Hotels that focus on Weddings do not create a unique style, but the Westin Poinsett had broken this tradition. During Greenville’s resurgence, The Westin Poinsett Hotel was brought back to its Art Deco 20’s era beauty. At the top of the roof, is the original sign of the Poinsett Hotel, which is a staple of the Greenville skyline and couple must be getting married or having their reception there in order to be photographed on the roof.

Events at Sapphire Creek: A modern venue located just outside of Greenville, Events at Sapphire Creek creates a fantastic opportunity for us to photograph both an outdoor setting as well indoor modern setting, which can be hard to find in one venue.  The staff there is amazing and truly makes the day perfect for our couples, as well as making sure they take care of their vendors.

Sawyer Family Farms: Although it’s a 2-hour drive for us, this is one of our favorite venues. The staff and the venue is designed around the photographer being able to, not only have an easy day, but to let them focus on what they do best: Capture couples on their Wedding Day against some of the most beautiful and scenic back drops you will find.  With a Photographer concierge to multiple country style buildings it’s a never-ending opportunity for Wedding Photographers.

3. What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?

Find the one that clicks with you. You are going to spend a lot of time with these people on your day. If you don’t like them (and they don’t like you) then it’s not going to work.

Ask for a portfolio of both indoor AND outdoor photography. Everyone can show you a perfect couple in perfect light in a perfect setting. Ask to see photography from the more difficult parts of the day to see that they are truly a master at their craft.

Finally, lose the Pinterest board. A true Wedding Photographer is not going to try and mimic someone else’s work. They are focused on creating truly original photography for you. It’s great to share your idea’s with your photographer, but don’t show them a Pinterest board and ask them to “copycat” it.

4. What's your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

Summer – When our bride comes down the aisle.  I love seeing the little glances that she takes with dad right before she comes out and the look on mom’s face as she turns around to watch her daughter coming down the aisle.  Also, First Looks, whether its with Dad or with her soon to be husband, the emotion is so perfect.

Stephen – We both love formals, but I love first dances and parent dances. It’s the moment where all the stress is finally gone and the true smiles shine.

5. What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

The weddings where the couples are all about having fun and ready to party. These couples tend to not sweat the small stuff. They are genuinely in love and are not only, Husband and Wife, but are best friends.

6. What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

First, get a great Hair/Makeup Artist. Second, Trust your Photographer and their expertise. 3. Don’t let the small stuff bother you on the wedding day. Something is not going to go exactly to plan and that’s okay.  It’s your day, so enjoy it and let the small stuff go.

7. How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?

If you were getting heart surgery, would you go to a brain surgeon? You only have one chance to have this day captured. We always say that wedding photography is 20% photography and 80% about the wedding.  It’s important to find someone who has experience in that 80% so you can, not only have fantastic photos, but also enjoy the experience of your day.

8. What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

Family Dynamics. Nothing brings families together like Weddings and Funerals. Emotions run high and things that typically would not bother someone may do so on the wedding day. At the end of the day, it’s a celebration, and if everyone would remember that, it would solve so many issues.

9. Do you do "destination weddings?" If so, what are your favorite destinations?

Yes. Our favorite locations are Punta Cana in Domincan Republic (the locals are always so awesome) and Italy because you can’t beat the backdrop anywhere you are.

10. What do you do for fun when you're not shooting weddings?

We love teaching others about photography and being great wedding photographers. We have a second business where we employ people to photograph couple’s weddings who have a tighter budget, but still need great wedding photography. We train these photographers for about a year in classroom and real world weddings before they are allowed to go out and shoot live weddings.

11. How would you describe your style of photography?

Dynamic Style with a Feminine Touch.

12. What do you offer to clients that is unique? What is your Unique Selling Proposition?

We provide our clients with full, edited albums in about 7 days after the wedding. (digital on-line). We believe in the purity that is good light and photography, not over editing.

14. How would you describe the current state of the wedding photography industry, and where do you think wedding photography is headed in the years to come?

We think it’s going to continue to stay strong.  Photographers get so angry about mobile devices at weddings. The reality is that this is what the generation has embraced as their medium. This does not mean this is a replacement for professionals. Through the many stages of this, people always value the expertise and talent of a photographer.  It also allows them to “check out” so they don’t have to chase down friends images afterwards.

15. What (or who) inspires you?

Summer – I love the edginess of the Mann’s, the emotion of Jacklyn Greenberg and the innovation and Creativity of Jerry Ghionis and Ryan Schembri.

Stephen –Who - Jerry Ghionis, Ryan Schembri. I have followed these cats for years and early in our career we took their workshops.

17. What's the best photography-related advice you've been given?

Don’t worry about what your peers think about you. Care about what your clients think. Pick your photographer friends carefully, as they will uplift and critique you to help, not critique you because they want to tear you down.

18. What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

Having a spouse that truly believes in what the other is doing. We are not perfect, but where one lacks, the other excels.

20. What future plans do you have for your business for the next year?

Grow our destination weddings. We have shot all over the US / World and we love the challenge of new environments and new cities.