Today’s expert hails from the US of A, Los Angeles to be exact. Robert Evans has been working in the industry for many years. You might not know his name, but you’ll know his work- the wedding of Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes, the wedding of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston? Both were captured by Robert himself. It’s an honour to have Robert join us today to share his insights into the photography world and his own take on wedding photography today.

 Please tell us a little about yourself.

As my Facebook profile proclaims, I am likable and friendly. I am an easy-going guy who enjoys people and loves traveling and learning about the world. People often assume because of the people I have photographed that I might be arrogant or pompous which is the complete opposite of my personality. I appreciate and feel so fortunate about everything in my life. I have a beautiful wife and three children who make me smile on a daily basis. I haven’t had the most perfect life, losing both my parents at a young age, but I never let that hold me back. I have practiced Buddhism from age sixteen which as helped me focus on the positives in life and keeps me moving forward towards my goals and dreams. When I am not working or getting paid to take pictures I am usually taking pictures for fun or to practice something new that I haven’t tried. The camera is never far away. My wife says that I am a camera; if I am enjoying something, I am compelled to photograph it! I do enjoy fishing and sports. Baseball and football are the two that I enjoy the most.

Was photography always a part of your life?

Photography was an interest of my father’s and I got the bug about age fourteen when I started shooting with his Minolta cameras for fun. A teacher in junior high school fueled the fire where I took my first photography class. From that point on there was no looking back. Photography has been a part of my life from that point on. I first worked in a color lab, then three photography studios before starting my own business, Robert Evans Studios, in January of 1994.

You are known for working with celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Katie Holmes and Jim Carrey. Are these exciting and nerve-wracking or just plain fun shoots?

Celebrities are people too, so celebrity or no celebrity I photograph each wedding with the same excitement. I treat all of my clients equally and I always strive to have fun. I look forward to getting to play at each of my weddings. I shoot for my couples yes, however, I shoot for myself too. I get excited about what images I may capture on the wedding day. If I am happy at the end of the day I know that my couples will be as well. I shoot from the heart and express my creativity through my own personal vision, which like my fingerprint is unique only to me.

You teach photography workshops. Are your workshops open to anyone with an interest in photography?

Yes, anyone who wants to learn more be inspired and wants to create better images by learning how to express their own unique vision and not just shoot pictures will benefit from my vision. My workshop space is limited because I want to be able to have one-on-one time with the people who are taking the workshop.

What do you enjoy about teaching photography?

I love helping people find their own vision and the reward of seeing them succeed and move forward in their careers as photographers. The opportunities to give back in today’s world are abundant due to technology, however, I still prefer the one-on-one dialogue and meeting people face-to-face, an aspect of society that seems to be slowly vanishing as we communicate more through electronics than we do heart-to-heart.

Can you please explain what ‘fusion photography’ is?

Fusion photography consists of the combination of still images with moving images or video. Fusion isn’t a new concept but what is new and exciting about fusion is that the cameras we are shooting today give us the ability to shoot both mediums. This opens the door to a whole new level of creativity which we can offer to our clients and help to set us apart from our competition. As visual artists we can express a whole new vision and expand our creative abilities far beyond the still image. I also think as we move forward, the ability to shoot both will help keep you competitive in the ever-evolving world of photography.

Is there something special about wedding photography, or do you love all photography regardless of the subject?

I love photography! I feel such a great sense of satisfaction expressing myself through visual arts. Weddings are happy events full of emotions and the ability to capture those emotions and to document one of the most important days in people’s lives is an amazing privilege. This privilege is one which we should all cherish as well as make sure we are at the top of our games when we are the ones trusted to capture our clients’ wedding images.
I feel I have a great eye for photography and that’s what I am supposed to do. I take pictures often and my camera usually isn’t too far away from me no matter what I am do. One of my favorite things to do with my camera, especially when I travel, is to just walk the streets or countryside and shoot whatever moves me.

Do you most like to shoot a wedding when you have been given complete creative freedom or do you plan your shoots meticulously?

I shoot for myself at weddings. Yes I know I am expected to get certain images from my couples and I make sure I do get those but creatively I shoot for myself. I know if I am happy my couples will be happy. One of the things I teach wedding photographers is how to be more creative. I ask, “ DO you shoot what you want or do you shoot what you get” I show them how to shoot what they want.

Do you like to keep your images natural or do you like the added challenge of post production work?

I like to keep my work simple. I try to shoot it right the first time as opposed to the attitude of fixing it in post. This come from shooting film for years before I switched to digital. I do not over process my images in post just basic corrections cropping and slight color adjustments and of course some black and white conversions.

Do you have any tips for the bride and groom to assist the photographer to get those ‘one-of-a-kind’ images of their wedding day?

Yes I Do! There are tons of things a couple should know in order to get great wedding photography. I would say communication is the number one thing both sides can do to make sure both are happy in the end. On both sides of the lens clear communication is a must to manage expectations before after and on the wedding day. Couples need to make a well educated decision when choosing the right photographer for them. If photography is a priority do whatever it takes to hire an experienced professional photographer who’s personality fits with yours. No matter how great your photographer is if you do not like them you will not like your wedding pictures. An experienced photographer will not only capture great images on your wedding day but can offer suggestions as to how to make taking your wedding pictures a pleasurable experience.
Most people agree that your wedding pictures are the only thing you have left once your wedding day is over and that a wedding photographer is the most important person at the wedding. Then why are people still wanting to spend the least on wedding photography?
My final thought that is you get what you pay for especially with wedding photography. Experience is key. Just because someone owns a digital doesn’t make them a photographer, just as owning a word processor doesn’t make you a great author.
I write a blog called WeddingPhotography411.com for brides and grooms where there are many great articles addressing this very question. Education is the most important part for both the photographer and the couple in order to have a successful as well as pleasant experience on the wedding day.

Thank you Robert for sharing your thoughts with us today. We hope to see you in Australia one day.

To see more of Robert’s work and tips  go to WeddingPhotography411.com or visit his website.

Your Reflexion Events brings out international photographers like Robert Evans. Visit their website  for details of future tours.

All images by Robert Evans