Ask the Expert – Q&A with Photographer Stephanie Ponce

The best wedding photos are truly a work of art — and that’s how former fashion photographer turned wedding photographer, Stephanie Ponce approaches the process. After starting her career in the fashion industry being trained by one of the best photographers in the business, she was drawn to the concept of capturing moments that would be treasured for a lifetime. Today, she’s sharing a behind the scenes look at her artistic process and some of her best tips for turning your wedding photos into memories as beautiful as they are special!

Photo // Stephanie Ponce

Describe your photography style.

Timeless, romantic and elegant are all words that have been used to describe my work. I shoot mostly film on the wedding day and that has allowed me to get beautiful coloring in my images that don’t follow some current fad. I strive to provide images to my couples that they will still be gushing over in 50 years!

Tell us what you love most about being a photographer.

I love getting to witness two people promise forever to each other and getting to document that moment for them. I have photographed over 100 weddings and still cry during every single ceremony.

Film or digital?

Film all the way, although I shoot both. Since I started shooting film a few years ago it has caused me to slow down when shooting and really compose an image before I click the shutter because each photo costs money, whereas on digital it doesn’t. When I first started photography my dad would tell me, “You’re good if you take 1,000 photos and 1 turns out good.” I think that’s crap and what makes bad photographers. Film has taught me to nail the shot in camera the first shutter click, so I never have to worry if I “got the shot.” I already know exactly the images I’ve captured.

What should a bride look for when hiring a photographer?

When looking for a photographer I think the most important thing is making sure their photography is something you can see yourself still loving years down the road rather than some fad photo style that’s popular now. Secondly, the photographer’s personality is also important. They are by your side practically your entire wedding day so it’s important to make sure they are someone you can get along with. I think one of the biggest priorities for couples when choosing their photographer is pricing, but I honestly don’t think your photographer is where you should be looking for a good deal. After your wedding day is over, all you have left are those photos. So get the photographer whose photos you love even if they are just a bit out of your budget. You probably won’t remember what you ate that night or the songs the DJ played, but you will be looking at those photos for a lifetime.

Any tips on getting those perfectly styled detail shots?

Make sure to have all of your details ready for your photographer before they arrive.  Usually, when your photographer arrives you are in the middle of hair and makeup, and since we don’t know what all of your details are or what they look like, they can be difficult to find and make sure we get them all. I ask my brides to put all of the details they want photographed in a box the night before the wedding so that day-of they just point me in the direction of the box, and I start styling.

A very special thank you to wedding photographer extraordinaire Stephanie Ponce for sharing her process and tips with us! You can learn more about getting her expertise on your special day by contacting her directly through her Brides of Austin vendor profile.