p.s i love you, bianca morello photography…

2nd October, 2010 - Posted by Lia - No Comments

This month’s featured photographer is Montreal’s  Bianca Morello. We recently had the pleasure of interviewing her, she graciously answered our numerous questions and was kind enough to share photos of a beautiful wedding she recently shot! Enjoy!

1-How long have you been a photographer?

Well, I’ve always been immersed in the arts, ever since I was a child, about 9 years old. I started with oil painting and it quickly became a hobby I fell in love with. Like photography, oil painting encompasses a lot of the same technical rules when understanding light and composition just to name a few, so it was only natural for me to transition into photography. I’d say I began in 1999 with black and white film and a 35mm camera and eventually as time passed I evolved with technology and the digital age!  I’ve been trained in photography, but of course to a certain extent. Once a photographer knows how to use their camera and it has become an extension of them, then really, your creativity can shine. You really need to have the eye for creativity and a sense of personal style which eventually comes with experience.

Before wedding photography, I was more involved with fashion photography, computer graphics and also in charge of all visual marketing for some years, and as for wedding photography, to be honest, I never thought I would love it this much!  With an honours double major in Communications and Fine art Cultural studies as well as a formal education in Digital imaging, and artistic background growing up, I felt I was ready to explore my passion for photography even further, and I have absolutely no regrets! I will be going on my third year in 2011, as my first year, I was freelancing with a handful of great colleagues, learning a lot of the business and slowly building my reputation.

2-How did you develop a passion for photography?

Well like I said, I think it was just a natural progression. However, it did begin with me shooting a friends wedding! I was offered the opportunity and really couldn’t refuse! I was so excited! It was a beautiful event and very intimate, and it gave me the drive and curiosity to push myself even further and eventually I was freelancing for other studios.

My passion was already there, but because I had studied Fine Arts and Cultural studies, what I love most about weddings is the beautiful traditions and customs and getting a glimpse of other cultures and experiencing something so beautiful on a weekly basis.

For those who know me, know I am a romantic at heart and a big sap! So weddings were right up my alley! I love the intimacy and beauty of such a sacred event and especially all those special moments in between. Shooting a wedding for me is like an emotional roller coaster ride! I’m up and happy and laughing with great people and then I’m holding back tears at the ceremony, then capturing beautiful and intimate moments that are so sensual between a bride and groom and their love, then back to party mode at the reception! I can’t help but love every minute of it!

3-What other genres apart from weddings do you do?

Apart from weddings, I really enjoy maternity and newborn photography, as well as natural light photography, which allows me to go to my clients home and on location to better accommodate them if they so chose the option. This is especially appreciated for newborn photography. I can understand all the diaper changes and feedings so this option really does make my clients more at ease when they are in the comfort of their own home. It’s also great to have those special moments captured in a familiar environment and in their new nursery as well.

4-What’s your style of photography?

In the end I can only be me, but my style can be described as candid, journalistic, fashion-like with a sense of authenticity and perhaps a touch of fine art as well.

I love capturing the moments as they happen and limit the amount of direction I give my couples. I do however need to guide them to a certain extent, but I tell them to just be who they are and their natural personality will always shine through. At this point we have met more than once and as a libra, I do my best to adapt! I notice that when you pose the couple too much, there may be something off or unnatural if it doesn’t reflect them and really, that’s not the point of my work and passion.

As far as my style of retouching, well, I’m always inspired by the couples themselves and I typically just put on my music and feel the image as opposed to making it what it isn’t. As crazy as it sounds to some people out there, I do color correct all my images given on dvd, I don’t believe in “shoot and burn”. You are paying a price for images and you want to be able to use and most often than not, “shoot and burn” photos will definitely need some adjustments. A camera can only do so much, but post processing in photoshop or any other software can bring that image to life, it is our darkroom, even if its simply adjusting the light and temperature of the photo, meaning overall color enhancements.

For album photos, I do extensive retouching and each photo to me, tells its own story, so I treat them as such. I retouch each one individually with no batch processing involved, even if it is more time consuming. This does not mean it should be this way or no way, it is simply my choice and to each his own.

5-What inspires you as a photographer?

Well, my website bio describes it best!

My inspiration is truly guided by the elegance of beautiful brides and the strength of handsome grooms…the smiles and laughter of precious babies and children…travel which has opened my mind and heart…& finding true love has inspired me even more…Its the beauty, simplicity and complexity of love and all those happy moments in between. Even sadness can be beautiful, but lets hope that doesn’t occur on a wedding day!

6-Do you do destination weddings? If you could have a destination wedding where would it be?

As of now, I haven’t had the pleasure to shoot a destination wedding.

I think I would love to shoot a wedding in New Zealand! I love nature and its natural formations but then again, I’ve always loved historical buildings and a castle somewhere in Europe would be a dream as well!

This is definitely something I am looking forward to though! Montreal is beautiful and diverse, but the wedding season here only lasts for so many months due to the weather and I would definitely not refuse a wedding down south or anywhere in the world for that matter! It would be beautiful and exotic and if anyone is looking for a destination photographer, I’m just a plane ticket away!

7-Any advice for brides on choosing a photographer?

Yes of course! I tell all my couples when they meet me that budget of course is important, but it is definitely not the only factor involved in the decision-making.

Clients today really need to be educated about the logistics behind any photography service. We photographers don’t simply just show up and snap photos the day of, we have a lot of work behind the scenes that they need to know about. For a typical wedding contract, a photographer can spend anywhere from 40+ hours and great photographers don’t cut corners to supply you with the best service and quality they can provide. Without going into specifics, it can be very costly to maintain!

I also always recommend a 1 on 1 meeting with your photographer because there are many intimate moments between a couple and with family members, and having a photographer you trust and are comfortable with makes all the difference in capturing beautiful and natural candid moments or lasting family portraits! This goes hand in hand with budget, quality, style, and most importantly, PROFESSIONALISM!…Integrity is key and even if you think you are paying a few hundred more than the last guy, down the line when all is said and done, you will have these memories for a lifetime! And you wont even remember the price you paid for the service years down the line. So better not to sacrifice your lifetime memories for a mere savings when you already have perhaps a few thousand on the line? This is simply how I see things.

8-Where is your favourite location to take wedding photos in Montreal?

I don’t think I have a favorite location really, every wedding I shoot has their own unique beauty and I want to be in an environment that my couples are comfortable with. I always ask my couples about what their style is, and if there is any location that is meaningful to them, or if they have a themed wedding, well I do my best to supply a location that will best suit their needs. In all honesty, a good photographer will make any location look amazing! But for me, the more uncommon places can be the most interesting!

9-Any words of wisdom for a bride on her wedding day?

Your wedding day only comes once in a lifetime, there are no redos or reshoots, One  should never compromise on what reflects them and their partners personalities and style, and in the end this is your day, and it’s a day you will never forget!

 You can reach Bianca Morello here:  Bianca Morello Photography