Wedding Photographer Spotlight – Meghan McSweeney Photography

In our ongoing quest to help brides find quality wedding vendors, we are pleased to feature Meghan McSweeney Photography as our featured wedding photographer for the month of July. Meghan McSweeney Photography is a boutique wedding and portrait studio operating in the Richmond, Virginia area. We asked Meghan to tell us a little more about her style of photography and what makes her really unique. We hope you enjoy learning more about Meghan and her craft!

Why did you decide to become a wedding photographer?
When I started my business in 2002, I had just moved back to Richmond after college and a brief stint in New York City working with a commercial photographer. I knew then that I really wanted to work with clients in a way that I could tell their stories. I have always been attracted to photojournalism and, in fact, it was that style of photography that gave me the photo bug as a teenager. I, also, knew that I did not want the life of a photojournalist because I wanted to have a family, etc. Shooting weddings has enabled me to merge a lot of interests photographically speaking all into one pretty package. I get to be a photojournalist, a product photographer, an architectural photographer, and a fashion photographer all in one day!

Why do you think brides should book a professional photographer versus asking one of their friends or family to do it?
Honestly, I think that it is a vital thing to hire a professional not only for the benefit of the professional’s experience but, also, because I think that it is a unfair pressure to put on a friend or family member. Can you imagine if the images didn’t turn out? How horrible would that person feel and then how would that affect your relationship? There are, of course, so many other reasons to hire a professional. For instance, they know where to be and when to be there, they have back up equipment, they know how to deal with different lighting environments, they have editing knowledge, they are careful with your files (or film) and so many more reasons.

What is the number one question brides should ask when hiring a wedding photographer?
”What happens if you die before my wedding?” I am kidding, of course, but I was actually asked that once! The main thing that I would ask a photographer was how comfortable they were shooting in different environments and what they like to show from a wedding day. Generally, you can see that from a photographer’s portfolio but it doesn’t hurt to ask. I think that question provides valuable insight into how the photographer views an event and is able to handle capturing it. The inevitable questions that I get asked are do you have back up equipment, how do you back up files, etc? Those are also great questions.

Can you share with us some of your favorite shots over the years?
I have a little secret to tell with this one. I have a bit of a formula for my favorite shots. Please don’t misunderstand me, I love posed images of people in the best attire that they will probably ever wear BUT my favorite images are generally not those. I love images that portray emotion. I love it when the emotional connection between the subjects is palpable in the image so that the image tells a story. Seriously, give me an image that conveys joy and that will be an image that I love…hands down. Those images are always the ones that I am drawn to and hope that my clients can come back to years later to remember exactly how they were feeling that day.

What are some of your favorite wedding trends popping up this season?
I am finding that the weddings that I am shooting are going to back to classic details. Simple elegance has been a theme throughout most of my weddings at the beginning of 2011. I am seeing people moving away from the rustic, farm type wedding details or if they are still including some of those details, it’s definitely been dressed up a bit. I am still seeing a bunch of mixing of textures and absolutely love that!

View a sampling of Meghan’s creative work below:

Contact Meghan to discuss your wedding photography needs. Be sure to tell her we sent you! Find Meghan McSweeney Photography on Facebook and Twitter too.