Friends, spooky season is upon us! In celebration of my favorite season, I thought I would introduce you to one of my all time favorite friend-ors, Rachel or Rachel Jordan Photography. She and I exchanged a wonderful Q&A that I think will be so fun to read. If you are interested in finding her work or booking her for your wedding, you can find her work at https://racheljordanphoto.com/.

Enjoy!

Could you tell us about your journey into wedding photography? Oh goodness, such a long story! I have always been interested in art, and capturing beautiful things. In college I got my BFA in studio art and in the midst of COVID I decided to quit my job to pursue wedding photography. I love working with people, hearing their stories and creating lasting memories in the form of a photograph for them.

How would you describe your photography style? I also shoot film, so my style definitely emulates light and airy film. I would personally describe my shooting style as timeless, yet joyful. I love combining the elegant moments with the natural, unscripted ones.

Can you share some of your signature shots or moments you always look to capture? I always love capturing the classic images that the couples parents might want printed, but other than that- I really focus on moments of my couples interacting with each other that really allow their personalities and love to shine through.

What advice do you have for couples to get the best out of their engagement photos? Three things are important for your engagement sessions: outfits, location and having fun!!!! Always dress up for your photos and find a location that will compliment your outfits and let them shine. I am always here to help with outfit recommendations and locations as well.

What information about the wedding do you like to know before you arrive? I always ask for any difficult family circumstances I should be aware of and therefore empathetic about. I personally lost my dad in 2018, so I know the feeling of not having an important loved one there on your big day. I want every bride or groom to know I am here for them, not only with their wedding day photography, but with ALL of their emotions. Both the grief and the joy.

Family group shots can be quite the task! Do you have any tips or strategies for managing these moments?  Letting family members know ahead of time is always so helpful! Keeping family lists straightforward and as uncomplicated as possible will also allow us more “party” time too. I personally recommend starting with the largest groups, and then working down to the smallest family groups last. Grabbing a chair for the grandparents is a helpful thing to do, as well as putting any shots with them near the beginning so they don’t have to stand for too long if that’s difficult for them.

What are some trends that you’ve been seeing in wedding photography for 2023/4? We are bringing color back for 2023/2024 and I really love it! Also doing away with wedding favors is another big trend I’ve seen.

Give us a flat-lay must-have list! What should the couple bring vs what do you bring with you? I always tell my couples to bring 2-3 full invitation suites, spare florals, perfume bottle, all the rings, jewelry, and any other special or cute things you might want photographed. I personally bring ring boxes, ring dishes, spare envelopes, ribbons, wax seals, scissors, etc. We love having options over here, and I always like to utilize your color scheme for your wedding!

How do you think a couple should go about hiring their wedding photographer? I would say for couples to find someone who’s style they LOVE and then if your personalities mesh well, that’s a tell-tale sign you’re a match in heaven!

When you’re not behind the lens, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I am an avid coffee drinker, so at any point during the morning you can probably find me supporting a local coffee shop. In the evenings I love spending time training in the gym. I occasionally still compete in powerlifting, but it has helped my overall health (and helps me keep in shape for wedding days). Other than that, I am a social butterfly so I enjoy spending time with my friends.

If you could photograph a wedding anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? This is such a good question. I think Italy. The architecture and landscape is just something that can’t be matched.

Can you share a fun fact that most people don’t know? A lot of people don’t know that I started out drawing and painting before I transitioned to photography. I used to offer commissioned artwork and have thought about dabbling in it still here and there.