If you’re planning a wedding, you probably already know that the one group of vendors that you have a MULTITUDE of professionals to choose from is the Photographer group.

A statistic by the Bureau of Labor suggests that in America there are over 48,000 people who identify their job as a “Photographer”. That doesn’t take into account all the people who do it part time or are just starting out.

Unless you know a photographer personally, have worked with them before, or have a family member or friend who can attest to their skill, ability, and professionalism, it is virtually impossible to know if you are choosing the right photographer for your event (And for your personality).

I have worked with many photographers in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. I’ve managed to become friends (and champions) of many of these photographers. As a result, I have sometimes been asked to provide brides with a list of photographers that I feel suits their personality, vision for their day, and photography style,
One of those that I recommend quite often is Rich Smith of Rich Smith Photography.

Rich and I like to be goofy together when we’re able to work the same wedding! This bride got us both our very own personalized water bottles!

Rich is goofy, easy going, friendly, and super professional. His photography style is very much like my film style; Natural, intimate, ‘free-spirited’. If I could boil my impression of Rich’s work down into one sentence, it typically looks like he just happen to catch the couple being “in love” rather than posed.
It feels very real.

This is a style that some brides love, and some brides don’t. Like any of the vendors you choose, you are choosing solely based on what style you like. The greatest photographer on earth may be great, but if their style doesn’t move you, they aren’t the right photographer for you.

So, since most people on Earth aren’t fortunate enough to know Rich as well as I and others in the Chattanooga area do, I felt it was my duty to the people of the planet to share this little interview I conducted with Rich Smith that is keeping with my blog series of “Meet A Wedding Vendor”!

 

DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE IN 3 ADJECTIVES.

Authentic, Energetic, Meaningful. My passion is to capture, as closely as possible, the essence of a couples relationship! The biggest compliment I can receive is when friends and family tell me that I documented the spirit of a couple and captured exactly who they are! 

WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU GOT INTO THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS?

I was working full time for a mechanical and electrical engineering firm as an Auto Cad draftsman! In a cubicle. Not meeting new people. Turns out it wasn’t my calling. 🙂

WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO TAKE THE LEAP AND GO FULL TIME INTO THE WORLD OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?

I’ll never forget the phone call I received from an emotional (very happy) mom after my very first photo shoot. I’d done a lifestyle session in their home with their new baby, and through her tears, she thanked me profusely for documenting that special time in their lives. It made me come alive, and I felt that I was doing something with purpose that would enhance the lives of my clients. And something that would increase in value over time. One of our best God-given gifts in this life is our relationships, and to be able to do something that reaffirms the value of those connections; that is pretty awesome to me! 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT BEING A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

I’m absolutely an extrovert, and working with my clients, hearing their stories, and being around their passion and energy, that is my favorite part! 
 
WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF A WEDDING FOR YOU?
 
The most challenging aspect of a wedding is when a wedding coordinator has not been hired and that job becomes mine. Rather than focus solely on the photography, I become, by default, the person who has to keep things running smoothly. 
 
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT LIVING AND WORKING IN THE EAST TENNESSEE MARKET? 
 
I love living and working here because the people are incredible (I love my clients!) and we have beautiful scenery all around! 

Rich and I discuss our plan of action before a ceremony begins at the amazing Walnut Hill Farm in Dalton, Georgia!

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO SHOOT NEXT?
 
Scotland, if we’re being ambitious! Truly, I’ve had the honor to photograph a wedding in Sweden, an engagement session in Hawaii, family sessions in California and Washington DC, and and as much as I love living and working here in the Chattanooga area, Heather and I also have a passion for travel and new experiences as a family. 
 
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A COUPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
 
I would suggest meeting your photographer in person to ensure that you connect on a personal level! It’s important to love the work of a potential photographer, but it’s also important to like them as a person, since you’ll be spending quality time with your photographer on your wedding day! I also highly recommend an engagement session, not just for the beautiful images from that season of your lives, but also to get comfortable in front of my camera so that by the time your wedding rolls around, we are friends who are truly enjoying the process! I love when my clients are willing to be themselves in front of my camera, and let me in on their joyful, intimate moments! 
 
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE EVERY BRIDE AND GROOM TO KNOW BEFORE THEIR WEDDING?
 
 Once the planning is done and the vendors are hired, I want my clients to relax, savor the moment, trust me to do a fantastic job, enjoy their friends and family, and have an incredible wedding day!
 
 

Rich does anything he needs to do to get the perfect shot, even if it means he may fall into the hot tub in the spa area of the Bell Mill Mansion in Ooltewah, Tennessee!

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND ARE WANTING TO TURN THEIR HOBBY INTO A WAY THEY CAN EARN A LIVING, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?
 
I would recommend improving their craft of photography, of course (we are all lifelong learners!) but just as importantly, I would recommend honing their business and interpersonal skills. This is a wonderful industry to be part of, and much of our success is due to our ability to run a business (90% of what we do is workflow/business related; 10% is time spent photographing) and to be able to develop great relationships with local vendors! 
 
SHOW US YOUR 3 FAVORITE IMAGES YOU’VE TAKEN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS!
Rich Smith Photography Chattanooga Wedding PhotographerRich Smith Photography Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

Rich Smith Photography Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

 
Thanks so much to Rich Smith for taking the time to be a part of this blog post! Some of the venues shown in the photos in this post were Walnut Hill Farm, Bell Mill Mansion, and Howe Farms!