Specificity is the
soul of narrative.
My philosophy
Over a dozen years of weddings, I’ve had a lot of chances to steal slices of cake and think about my place in the weird magic going on around me. The phrase that I often come back to is this one: specificity is the soul of narrative.
That is, the images that maintain the most life over the years are those that capture a specific truth about the people in them. The subtle, kinetic clues of a deep relationship, the unexpected power of the moment washing over a loved one’s face, the wild, eccentric energy of old friends brought together after years apart. And the quiet, sincere laughs of a hundred pleasant exchanges…not fake laughs for the camera (oof)…but the truly personal interactions of people who are close to one another.
These are the moments that just tend to happen where so many good people are gathered. Most will not be remembered and that’s okay. Some, though, should.
The art is in reading behind the scenes, sensing emotional cues, and connecting this possible image within the wider context of the moment. It’s an incredibly fulfilling pursuit that cannot be perfected and keeps me coming back for more.
Photos for people
who love their people.
The short of what you should know about my approach and style.
I’m a candid specialist.
I take photos of people being themselves in the best light possible. My goal is to capture an artistic version of what the day really felt like so it can be relived forever. Weddings are a venue for connecting with the people you love most, so I photograph everyone experiencing the day, not just the couple.
My presence is unobtrusive but aware.
I give room for people to relax, to enjoy the day for what it is: a personal celebration and not a photo shoot. Years of wedding experiences have taught me how to maximize photographic opportunities while minimizing distractions. I’ve even been called a good hang.
I emphasize an editorial vibe.
I’m addicted to interesting light and love to put people where they look most confident and beautiful. It’s a method for making lovely portraits without contrived “weddingy” poses.
My editing style embraces color.
Though I certainly love black and white, when I shoot images in color I intend for them to express the vibrancy of the natural world around us. My colors, whether shot on Fuji or not, are influenced by those colors I saw when I first picked up a camera as a teenager.
About me
I live in the Portland area, ear buds in, walking the dog or thinking about walking the dog. It’s one of the blessings of my life to be able to devote so many calm mornings to thinking and seeing while walking the semi-wild areas on the outskirts of town. It’s been a slow, deliberate education in light, simplicity, and feeling as I notice compositions–camera in hand or not. I never expected that these meditative walks would have anything to do with my career, but they really have.
I love to be outside: Climbing, paddling, walking up hill. All pursuits slow enough to steal frequent looks at the scenery.
I discovered a few years ago that I enjoy working with my hands and that I’m reasonably good at it. So in the offseason, there you’ll find me rebuilding my old house section by section, cursing my big stupid ideas and receiving hammers as Christmas presents from the children in my life.
Things I love right now:
- Climbing St Helens in the snow (highly recommended)
- Overly competitive games of Dutch Blitz
- The Three Body Problem books
- Heavenly Doughnuts on Lombard
About me
I live in the Portland area, ear buds in, walking the dog or thinking about walking the dog. It’s one of the blessings of my life to be able to devote so many calm mornings to thinking and seeing while walking the semi-wild areas on the outskirts of town. It’s been a slow, deliberate education in light, simplicity, and feeling as I notice compositions–camera in hand or not. I never expected that these meditative walks would have anything to do with my career, but they really have.
I love to be outside: Climbing, paddling, walking up hill. All pursuits slow enough to steal frequent looks at the scenery.
I discovered a few years ago that I enjoy working with my hands and that I’m reasonably good at it. So in the offseason, there you’ll find me rebuilding my old house section by section, cursing my big stupid ideas and receiving hammers as Christmas presents from the children in my life.
Things I love right now:
- Climbing St Helens in the snow (highly recommended)
- Overly competitive games of Dutch Blitz
- The Three Body Problem books
- Heavenly Doughnuts on Lombard
READY TO CONNECT?
We had a COVID-rescheduled wedding, and Bryan followed through until the end. When we decided to change our plans from a large wedding in Portland to a small ceremony and dinner in California, he agreed to fly down to photograph our celebration. He gave us great advice and was extremely responsive on email and text.
The day of our wedding, Bryan had scoped out some locations and helped us decide exactly where to go for beautiful portraits, and made it feel like a fun adventure. He put everybody at ease, even my anxious mother in law who exclaimed “I love Bryan!” during the dinner. Overall, he helped make the day feel stress free and fun!
The pictures themselves are SO GOOD. Bryan’s gorgeous, documentary photography tells the story of our wedding poignantly, with a mix of humor and honesty. Looking through our photo album for the first time, we felt like we were reliving that day all over again, and we loved sharing them with family and friends.
Joe & Nathalie
