I had the privilege of interviewing Lauren Brooks of Lauren Brooks Photography in her cozy office last week. A photographer for the last six years, Lauren captures emotional, inspiring images of couples and their families on their wedding day. Her growing popularity has not clouded her warm personality in the least. Throughout our interview, she reiterated that her first priority is the happiness of her clients. From this, I know Lauren is genuinely excited to be part of one of her clients most important life events.
What is your photographic style?
I try to take a classic documentary approach to photographing weddings. This is accomplished by focusing on the story of your day, including the people and the details. I want my clients to be able to look at their wedding photos years from now and think, “That is what it felt like to be there.”
What type of professional training do you have?
I’ve been shooting since I was 16, and worked on my high school’s yearbook and newspaper staffs. In college I studied photojournalism. One of the most important tools I learned from that training was how to edit. During college, we were required to shoot a roll of film each week and edit the photos ourselves. Then we would do a group edit, where the entire class would critique your edited photos. That was a very formative element of my training. We also learned how to tell a story accurately through photos. I use my training at every shoot.
What is the most important thing for couples to consider in selecting a photographer?
Look at their portfolio, and if you like it, meet with the photographer. Make sure you click with him or her. Your photographer will likely be at your wedding longer than most of your guests (Lauren and her assistant generally photograph for eight hours on the wedding day, while guests usually stay 4-6 hours) so it is important you are comfortable with him or her. If you have a good feeling, be sure to ask for referrals from previous clients.
How do you keep the photographs interesting?
By constantly pushing myself to create compelling images. As a photographer, I look at the setting, the couple, the lighting, the emotion, and try to capture all of that in each shot.
Tell me something people don’t know about your work.
As my wedding clientele has grown, I want clients to come back to me for photos of their new baby, maternity pictures, birthday parties, business pictures and the like. I want to be your family photographer as well as your wedding photographer.
Lauren is married to the talented Lincoln Barbour, an architecture photographer. Lincoln accompanies Lauren as her assistant photographer on weddings.
Do we have space for one more photograph? This is one of my personal favorites, a bride peeking into the church sancturary before the ceremony begins.
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