We were lucky to catch up with Valerie Lindahl recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Valerie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

The wedding industry is ever-evolving and I’m LOVING the trends I’ve been seeing lately

Documentary Style Photography: People want their wedding day photos to feel authentic!
Capturing candid moments and telling the story of the day in a documentary style was becoming increasingly popular. Couples were often opting for more natural, unposed shots that capture the emotions and genuine moments of the wedding day.

Drone Photography: Capturing unique perspectives.
The use of drones for aerial shots and unique perspectives is on the rise. This added a cinematic quality to wedding albums, providing a different view of the ceremony and venue.

Fine Art Photography: Editorial portraits that feel timeless.
Fine art wedding photography involves creating images with a more artistic and creative approach. Photographers often focus on composition, lighting, and post-processing to produce visually stunning and timeless images.

Film Photography: This is ALL the rage right now!
Photographers were rediscovering the charm of film photography. Couples are attracted to the nostalgic and authentic feel of film, resulting in more demand for hybrid shooting (a combination of digital and film).

Use of Non-Traditional Venues:
Couples were exploring unique and non-traditional venues for their weddings, such as industrial spaces, warehouses, or outdoor locations. This trend influenced the way photographers approached composition and lighting to capture the essence of these distinctive settings. I’m also noticing no wedding party as a huge trend right now and honestly love it. The focus is solely on the couple.

Emphasis on Details: Storytelling of a wedding day!
Photographers were placing increased emphasis on capturing the small, intricate details of weddings, including decorations, floral arrangements, and other personalized elements that contribute to the overall atmosphere to fully tell the story of the wedding day.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My wedding photography business started at the beginning of 2021 shortly after I left my corporate job. I’ve always been drawn to weddings because of what they resemble and the significance they hold for a couple. It’s vulnerable, emotional, and unifying in the most beautiful way.

Getting to be a part of preserving the moments that unfold is truly an honor. Being a wedding photographer is the perfect role for a hopeless romantic, I can’t think of a better way to spend my days.

I am a documentary-style wedding photographer, specialized in creative portraits, storytelling, and film photography. I’m also a Super 8 Wedding Filmmaker!

After capturing my own wedding on a vintage Super 8 film camera, I knew this was something I needed to share with my clients. I love creating cinematic, wedding films that feel warm and nostalgic. There’s a special magic to Super 8 films that can’t be replicated through digital.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a wedding photographer is the couples and families I met. I genuinely love being a part of a couple’s wedding day. It’s like becoming a member of the family on the most significant day of their lives. Getting to capture and preserve those moments brings my life so much purpose, love, and fulfillment.

Knowing that the photo will last longer than anything means it can be cherished for generations and generations to come. THAT is the most rewarding part for me.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing clientele is to provide the best experience possible, showing authenticity or being myself and being a calming presence in the chaos. Wedding days can be unpredictable at times and just being flexible and resolution oriented can go a long way!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.valphotoco.com
• Instagram: valphotoco

Image Credits
Photos by Valerie Andrea Photography