Photography has filled me with purpose and joy, and taken me places I never thought I'd go. I have covered three U.S. presidents, been blessed by the Pope, and been stared down by Muhammad Ali. I've shared a laugh with Smokey Robinson, and had a picture I took of him used when he received a lifetime achievement award. I've photographed a 110-year-old woman as she told me what it was like to climb onto the torch of the Statue of Liberty. I was chosen as the only independent photographer allowed near Obama and McCain in their last meeting before the 2008 election. I'm the only photographer in the world to have been officially represented by the three largest photographic retailers in the Western hemipshere. Heck, I've even had a photographic technique named after me (which is crazy).
But I have never felt so blessed by photography as when I am photographing a wedding. At weddings, we are most visibly ourselves -- the walls we walk around with come tumbling down under the forces of joy, anxiety (and sometimes a bit of alcohol). To document that experience, the relationship of friends, families, and a couple launching a new stage in their life, is an incredible feeling. When a client says "This is the first picture I've seen of my parents that actually looks like them!" I feel like I've done something with lasting value. After years of shooting and more than 225 weddings under my belt, I still find each one to be more exciting than the last, and try to make each one the best one that I've ever photographed.
In addition to a staff of photo assistants, I am so happy to have my partner Wendy as a full-time studio manager to make sure that our clients' needs are met at every stage from the first inquiry until years after the wedding. Wendy is the hardest worker I have ever known, and she makes my clients' experience as stress-free as possible.
Martino - Wonderfull work, full of emotions, colours and happiness… Thumbs up!
Max - Pure feelings captured! Amazing lighting!
Jenny - You inspire me! Your work is outstanding.
Elissa - Wow. You are the holy to everyone’s moly. Every frame in this post is just delicious.
Ed Pereira - Beautiful photos as usual…I could see some Fer Juaristi inspired shots in there! Especially the dark shot of the couple with the leaves on the right…amazing…
Darryl - Your dance floor captures are jive-tastic!
Al - What lens did you use for the macro ring shot top left ?
Still the 60mm 2.8?
Amir - Beautiful coverage. Love the lively reception photos. You have captured the atmosphere in a beautiful authentic way.
Ryan Brenizer - Thanks Ed! I love Fer, but he’s not the first person to put a bride in a sunbeam, haha, and I don’t think he uses a tilt-shift.
Martin Hambleton - Every time I look at your latest blogpost I think, “Wow, how did he see that shot?” or “what a great angle”. Frankly, you’re working on a different plane to the rest of us. Really inspiring work – yet again.
Derek Martinez Photography - Phenomenal wedding, you really captured their day and told their story beautifully!