ISPWP Member Spotlight - Stefan Kuhn

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

I studied at the photo-design school in Pforzheim/Germany and graduated with honors in 2003. Then I assisted at ambitious photo projects and grand campaigns for major national and international clients such as Audi, BMW, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Telekom, Lufthansa, Porsche, Siemens and Volkswagen. In 2012 I started to shoot my first weddings and loved it right away. I like to report and search for unpredictable moneys and I love emotions. Meanwhile I´m 14 years self employed with my own company, very experienced and for each project always well prepared. 

2. How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day

I mean it helps me in every single briefing I have with the wedding couples. Many inquiries reach me a year or more before the wedding day. With my expertise I can help to schedule "the day“. On the wedding day itself my experience helps me to work creative because there is no time to think about handling the camera.

3. Tell us about some of the more unique weddings you've shot.

A unique wedding was in august 2015. Record-breaking 40 degrees and full sun all day long. But the wedding happened on a meadow surrounded by fruit trees. A big white tent was the party location and the open ceremony was just a few steps aways. It was great! The wedding planners created an extraordinary setup and the barbecue guys had the meat right in their smokers.

4. What are some of your favorite local venues?

My favorite wedding planner Gabi Micheluzzi from the Hochzeitsfeen (www.hochzeitsfeen.com) lives just half an hour away. We work together for some years now. He company plans about 400 weddings around the Lake Constance area each year.

A great location is the Villa Raczynski ( http://www.seminarhaus-marienberg.at) in Bregenz, Austria. It was built in 1875 with a very nice park towards south and a big terrace.

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

Follow your feelings and not your purse. Hopefully you marry only once. So if you don´t like the photos you´ll regret that forever. Just hire a professional photographer!

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

The couple shooting and the moments when the couple walks out of the church. That moment is always full of emotions.

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

I like weddings in the mountains. 

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

Stay relaxed and be yourself. I´m there to guide you.

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

Professional photographer create pictures, Amateurs are just snappy guys

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

being vigilant up to 15 hours

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

Yes I do and would love to travel to some tropical islands and urban spots like New York

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

I paint pictures in acrylic, go running, go skiing and enjoy having time with my family.

13. How would you describe your style of photography?

authentic and natural

14. Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it's important to provide albums.

I offer fineart wedding albums in two sizes (DIN A4 and DIN A3) and up to 40 double pages with unique layouts. The album is printed by myself and bounded in leather. guaranteed durability at least 100 years. An album is a must because it stays in your living room. You pull it out to show it your family and friends. Digital files disappear on your hard drive. 

15. What (or who) inspires you?

Painter: Gerhard Richter, Photographer: Peter Lindbergh

16. Have you found any products, services, or seminars that have made a difference to your photography or your business?

Yes, the Adobe Lightroom Software took not just my file handling to the next level, but also the way I retouch my pictures. 

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

Never give up, stay focused and create your own creative dialect

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

100% hard work!

19. Do you follow any photography or business blogs that you would recommend?

Yes, Fearless Photographers, Masters of Wedding Photography Germany

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

I will provide wedding movies next and workshops as well

21. What is the biggest challenge facing wedding photographers today?

A big challenge is competing with the amateur photographers. For a lot of couples only the price is critical.