Rebekah Sampson Photography | Show How It Felt

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

I sort of fell into wedding photography after being invited by a photographer in California. I had assisted her at an industrial vacuum shoot and she wanted me to work with her as an assistant for her full-time wedding photography business. After my first wedding, I was absolutley hooked. 

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

I think my husband explaned it best when I tried to teach him to second shoot for me. He said "Being a wedding photographer isn't just about knowing exactly what you're doing, but you have to do it so fast and know how to make any lighting situation look good and origional". I'm trained to see moments, to capture realness, and to make every photograph remind my clients of how it felt on their wedding day. 

3. What are some of your favorite local venues?

Being an Arizona wedding photographer is amazing because our state offers SO MUCH variety. From elopements atop the Mogollon Rim in Payson, Arizona to the Flagstaff Ranch golf Club and the Sky Ranch Lodge in Sedona.

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

Make sure you like their style. Photography is so vast and so many people have dipped their feet into the profession. I would say to make sure that you find a photograph who has a voice and a vision and executes it well. 

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

Do an engagement session! That's why I have a free engagement session in all of my wedding packages. Being photographed can be incredibly nerve-wracking and make you feel quite uncomfortable. I love being able to put my clients at ease and encourage them to let their guards down and direct them with positive body positioning and documenting their true relationship. 

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

SO IMPORTANT. When I look back to my beginning career being an Arizona wedding photographer, over 14 years ago, my images were very generic and didn't really have a voice or great composition. I was super intimidated by anyting not going as it should, which as we know happens all the time at a wedding. You don't want a photographer who hasn't had to figure out making incredible images in less-than-favorable situations. After 14 years of experience, I feel that I can walk into any wedding and make incredible images for my clients. 

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

Constant change, but that make me continue to grow and see things differently. I've made some of my favorite images when being forced to change it up because of last-minute changes in weather or location.

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

Garden and make sourdough bread.

9. How would you describe your style of photography?

Emotion-filled documentary. 

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

I am determined to help my clients remember how it felt on their wedding day. To make images that envoke emotion and love and that will show my clients' grandkids how incredible the wedding was. 

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

YES! I truly feel that photos should be printed, that's why I give prints to all of my clients when I present their wedding. Wedding albums are certainly an important family heirloom and need to be prioritized. 

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

Yes! I attended Foundation Workshops 5 years ago and it completly changed my photography. 

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

In a life full of photos, let's make photos that are full of life. 

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

Striving to keep my clients happy and serve them to the best of my abilities.