We recently connected with Shiloe Ritcheson and have shared our conversation below.

Shiloe, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

Some of the biggest trends I am seeing in the wedding industry at the end of 2024 and as the 2025 season begins have a lot to do with couples getting tired of big parties. I’m seeing smaller weddings, more intimate wedding parties. Couples choosing to hang out with their guests, serve them during cocktail hour, walk with both parents down the aisle. People are pulling away from the hustle and leaning more into the calm, the small, the unique.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Shiloe! I am a wedding and elopement photographer based in North County, San Diego, but I love to travel and often frequent Washington and Colorado to photograph weddings there and visit family.

I grew up moving all over, and most recently moved to San Diego from Washington in 2021. My parents both grew up in San Diego, and I love calling it home. I started taking pictures very young, and was pushed by my family to continue pursuing creative outlets in all forms: writing, drawing, music, photography, etc. Photography is the one that stuck. At first, I mostly took pictures of my siblings and the adventures we went on: hikes, long drives down the coast, lake days. I thought I wanted to pursue a career in lifestyle or landscape photography. I used my iPhone 4s for photos at first, then saved up all my money at my first job to buy a real camera. After I graduated college at 20 with a degree in outdoor recreation, I knew I wanted to pursue something that would allow me to be outside and serve people, while also continue being creative. And while I didn’t think that would be wedding photography, I’m so glad that’s what I did! I interned for a wedding photographer for a couple months and realized that I could totally do it. I decided to build my business when my husband and I moved down to San Diego, so in 2021, that’s what I did! It’s been hard, amazing, and so much fun. I am so thankful for each of the couples who have chosen to work with me.

I offer packages for weddings and elopements that range from 6 hours to 12 hours. And I will travel to wherever you want to take me!
I love letting pieces of my personality show in my work, from the way I present myself on your wedding day to the way we chat on the phone leading up to your engagement session. I am an introvert, and tend to step out of the way to let moments play out authentically. I love to highlight the little details. And I love learning people’s stories: there’s no better way to remember your life than through photos, so the better I know your story, the better I can tell it! I am extremely passionate about serving others and loving them through service. I pride myself on always being a kind, peaceful presence on days that can be chaotic.
All of these things show in my photos: I take joyful, movement-filled images. I tend to lean more documentary-styled, but will tell your story with tasteful nudges and prompts to get you giggling and moving. This job is an honor to have and I am so excited to continue loving on my sweet couples!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Meeting other people! It is so special to me to have the role I do on a wedding day. The wedding industry is so unique and fun and I love walking away from a wedding with new friends in the vendors I got to work with. Not to mention the friends I make out of my couples. Even years later, I often remember a mother of the bride that I see in a grocery store, or can recall the first dance song someone chose if I am looking at their photos. These things mean so much to me because they mean the most to you!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I have found that connections do the most when it comes to growth. It means a lot to be a reliable, kind face to other wedding vendors, as well as couples. I also post a lot on social media, and find that brings in a lot of people as well! In a world where there is so much you can look at on social media, people really crave authenticity. So I try to show up as my true self so people can see what they’d get if they worked with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: shiloenoellephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiloeee/

Image Credits
Shiloe Noelle Photo, LLC.