Michelle Nicole Photography recently teamed up with Borrowed and Blue, a locally-focused online wedding resource, to give couples everything they need to know about our photography services.

Here’s my Q&A with Borrowed & Blue:  

1. What makes you different from other wedding photographers?

Aside from my photography style and experience, I want to get to know my clients as best I can by building a lifelong everlasting relationship.  I’m given a challenging job that requires a lot of trust from my clients, trust that I will create and capture the moments they will cherish for the rest of their lives.  To create that trust, I want to get to know my clients as best I can and communicate with them as often as I can.  I want to know the basics like, how they met, got engaged, and what they want their wedding day to be like, BUT I also want to know, see, and understand details much deeper such as how they interact, talk to each other, hold each other, and how they look at each other.

I’m creating imagery for them that captures their true selves in that moment of time.  The romance, the fun, happiness, and all the laughter.

But that lifelong everlasting relationship doesn’t end after the wedding day is over and their photos have been delivered.  For some, It’s more than just that.  I grow with my clients by photographing their newborns, future family portraits, extended family, and so on.  I continue to capture their journey for the rest of our lives, it’s not only special to my clients, it’s just as special to me, too.

2. What single photo sums up your aesthetic?

This gorgeous sunset shot I took of Elaine + Alex back in 2012 has been one of my staple photos for Michelle Nicole Photography to this day!

3. What tips do you have for couples who have never been photographed before?

I know this may be either exciting, nervewrecking or possibly both, but I would highly suggest doing an engagement session!  I want to capture all my couples in their most natural state.  

During the session, I will direct my couples and ask them to do certain actions like, give her a kiss on the cheek, whisper something special into her ear, or to hold hands and look at each other.  When I find that the two begin to get more comfortable, it’s a high possibility by the end of the session I won’t be directing you anymore!  
Having an engagement session prior to your wedding is a great way for you and your photographer to get to know each other, see how they work, but also time for the photographer to understand how you two interact with each other, and what your best angles are.  It’s the best way for me to get to know my couples a little bit better, but most of all, we’re going to have fun!  

4. What is your favorite moment to photograph at a wedding?

My favorite moment to photograph at a wedding is right after the bride is done getting ready, the mom gives her well wishes and sends her off.

5. What are some of the most photogenic spots for engagement shoots?

There’s a lot!  I like to have my clients pick locations that have significance to their story.  It can be  a place where they met, had their first date, like to go on long walks on the beach, proposed, or even where they like to have their M-F running date, all these locations are meaningful and add a touch of romance to each and every unique love story.  While I didn’t really specify which locations are the most photogenic, you might find me in outdoor locations such as the Embarcadero, Presidio, or at the beach.  

6. Where else do you love to photograph?

While most of my clients reside all over the Bay Area, I also enjoy photographing all around the world!  My first destination wedding was in Cabo, and that was quite the experience – I have yet to experience and shoot my next destination wedding!  I have also traveled to multiple destinations such as New York, China, Paris, Bahamas, Cozumel, Miami, and Hawaii for my photography workshops with my mentor, Scott Robert Lim!  I did a lot of traveling in 2010-2012, and I miss it!  The world is full of beauty and adventure and I feel there’s not enough time to experience it all!  So will you let me photograph your destination wedding?  🙂

7. What’s your favorite photograph you’ve ever taken?

Same as Alex + Elaine’s photo above!  I have so many it’s hard to select one.  Here’s one of my second favorites, non wedding related – Harry Potter:

8. What’s your favorite out of all the San Francisco wedding venues ​to shoot at?

I can’t say that I have been too many in the city of San Francisco, but of the Bay Area, one of my favorites is Nestledown in Los Gatos, CA.  In the future, if we’re referring to venues in San Francisco, I would love to shoot a wedding at the Bentley Reserve.

9. What is the first thing you ask couples when they approach you?

I ask them about their story – how they met, proposed/got engaged, and what they have planned for their wedding!  I also ask, “How do you want to be remembered at your future wedding?”  I love finding couples who have a truly inspiring love story.

10. What’s the biggest mistake the couples make when choosing their photographer?

Ensure the photographer you choose is the right style for you.  Can you envision yourself in those photos?  Do you see yourself with your significant other like that?  Do you like the style of the photographer’s photos?  Your photos are going to last with you for a lifetime and you want to be sure you’ll love them forever!  

Inspired yet? Book your wedding photographer with Michelle Nicole Photography today. And thanks again to Borrowed & Blue for the Q&A!