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We had a discussion with one of our favorite Austin wedding photographers, Madelinne Grey, about her philosophy in capturing the key moments in a wedding day in a super natural and realistic way. Let me tell you, it was illuminating.
She has some serious skills and a really natural method that's right in line with the needs of offbeat couples. If you want less stiff and formal posed shots and more sweet moments and telling details, then “slice of life” photography is going to be YOUR JAM. Let's talk with Madelinne about it and how she'll run with the concept to your utter delight.
What is slice of life photography, anyway?
First let's talk about this whole “slice of life” concept. It's a photojournalistic style that allows Madelinne to seek out all the comings and goings and behind-the-scenes of the wedding. Madelinne captures weddings where they don't really do many formals and she follows them around unobtrusively to really encapsulate the feel of what actually happens at the wedding — the moments that you want to remember, the moments where a secret smile is found, and where candids capture your guests in awesome, hilarious, and tear-jerking moments.
Madelinne told us a little more about it:
My style is more about telling a story throughout a series of photographs rather than shooting single images. I capture not only the main event, but also all of the little details that help tell the story. I want my clients to open their albums and be transported back to their wedding day.
At lifestyle weddings, my shooting style is much more photojournalistic. One bride even chose to forgo the traditional-style family portraits altogether in favor of much more natural images with her family captured throughout the day. That's absolutely an option.
She also expounded on engagement portraits, which is a type of session we totally love:
For bridal and engagement portraits, I like to follow a couple around for a few hours. Whether we explore their home or I follow them to a cafe for breakfast, capturing the images in a location that's special to them can make them more meaningful. If we're exploring a new area, creating a series of images throughout half a day can showcases various aspects of their relationship.
Shall we hear just a little from Madelinne's clients? I love to share testimonials since you get to hear straight from those who know how killer she is at this.
“The photos are ABSOLUTELY stunning. Our friends keep telling us how beautiful they are. We are so beyond thrilled and amazed at the amazing work you do!” – Kate & Ismael
“ON MY GOD THE PICTURES ARE AMAZING! Thank you so much for doing such a bad-ass job! I'm super in love with them and just scrolling through them brought back all of the emotion and joy of that day. Exactly as I hoped! Aside from marrying Kevin, you were one of the best decisions I've ever made.” – Casandra & Kevin
OH, and we've got an amazing promotion going on if you name-drop us!
Offbeat discount:
Book a wedding for 2016 and receive a free upgrade to a lifestyle engagement session worth $295. Mention Offbeat Bride when you get in touch to snag the deal!
Ready to get the slice of life wedding story of your own to keep forever and bring out whenever you want to re-live the whole experience? Hell yes you do. It's time to get Madelinne on your vendor team and make it happen. Go say hello, tell her we sent you, and mark this to-do off your list for good.
About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
They are so good
Interesting reading more about Slice of Life photography, it is such an interesting concept!
Madelinne photographed our wedding (Casandra and Kevin.) After many (unsuccessful) meetings with photographers who tried to talk us out of our desire to have zero posed photos, we found Madelinne on Offbeat Bride. When we approached her with our vision, she didn’t balk, but was instead seriously stoked to capture our day for what it was; laughter, tears, double chins, sweet moments and all! She was super flexible with our desire to not do engagement photos and with our crazy ideas about our wedding album afterward. She seriously was the best thing to happen to us besides each other.