Last April, we had the amazing pleasure of being part of the Borrowed Bridal Show in Baltimore, Maryland. While at the show, we met some of the greatest industry pros in the area and the team of Love Me Do Photography was one of those awesome-sauce companies. Naturally, I have to introduce you to Amanda, Carina and Nadine…
Hello. Who are you?
We are Love Me Do Photography! Our company consists of three uniquely artistic and highly ambitious wedding photographers. Our backgrounds in editorial and fine art backgrounds provide us with the knowledge and talent to capture moments with a fine art sensibility. We are based in Philadelphia, Pa but shoot both local and destination weddings.
Who or what got you started in the industry?
Amanda: We all went to school for photography. Carina and I met at Tyler School of Art in 2005 and had both worked for wedding photographers in the past. We started taking on some weddings of our own and found it was much easier (and more fun) when you had a partner.
Carina: I started working in college for another photography team. When I graduated in 2006 they sent me forth on my own. That’s when I teamed up with Amanda to start shooting weddings. Nadine and I met a few years later as the three of us built our business together.
Nadine: I’ve been working in the industry since I graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2004. My background is in fine art/commercial photography while we teamed up to start Love Me Do.
What is your favorite part about being in the wedding world?
Amanda: What’s not to like? We get to hang out with brides and grooms on their happiest day, photograph beautiful people, and go to awesome parties. Then we get to give our couples images that they will look at for the rest of their lives and make them super happy!
Carina: Seriously, working with people who are stoked about whats happening to them right now is the best payoff. It’s really fun to hang out and take pictures of people on their wedding day, and the excitement they have to see the pictures afterwards is really fulfilling.
Nadine: Its really rewarding to work with people who are so excited to have you be part of their biggest day.
Besides weddings, are there any other special events that you service?
Amanda: Not particularly, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t if you asked. During our off season I like to do some food photography.
Carina: I freelance for local businesses and non-profits around the city. It’s mostly commercial and editorial work, not really any other event photography.
Nadine: I work as a fine art photographer and also try to freelance with commercial/editorial jobs.
Ok, we all know I’m a big fan of yellow. What’s your favorite color?
Amanda: Chartreuse and Poppy red
Carina: Depends on my mood. Mostly earth tones.
Nadine: Gray, rose, white, gold
As a photographer, where do you go to be inspired?
Amanda: I love pinterest, but I hardly ever actually pin anything besides recipes. I had to stop reading too many blogs because it was too much sensory overload (and too much of a time drain).
Carina: Movies, music, and real life stories. I like to tell stories with my photos, so I like hearing them!
Nadine: Movies have a biginfluence over me. I also love going to art galleries and looking at fashion and interior design blogs like http://www.sfgirlbybay.com.
What sets you apart from other fellow photographers?
Since there are three of us, we are able to offer a few different styles and personalties. All of us shoot high quality work with a photojournalistic approach and a emphasis on creative portraiture. It’s a very intimate moment for the couple, and for us to be able to be there creating art and capturing the love they have for one another is very important to us. It’s also so important to us for our couples to be comfortable and confident in us. This is a job that relays heavily on personal interactions. We care a lot about our couples and we spend extra care to make sure that their vision and our vision for their wedding photographs are one in the same.
Whether you’re single, married, divorced, widowed… we all have words of advice when it comes to relationships. What is your advice to couples tying the knot?
Amanda: My usual advice to couples planning their weddings is to make it personal. Include things that are special and unique to both of you. Work together, don’t go overboard and delegate some projects to friends.
Carina: It’s always important to not loose sight of yourself and your individuality. This goes for both the wedding and the relationship between the couple. Also, have fun! Dont stress about the little things!
Nadine: Communication is key with relationships! Don’t have certain expectations that could get you frustrated. Be light-hearted and make thewedding planning fun.
Aside from weddings, what are some other hobbies/hidden talents/secret powers?
Amanda: I think I’m a pretty good cook/baker, I don’t know if it’s really a secret power.
Carina: I like to get my hands dirty and work with tools. I’ve built a couple pieces of furniture and a I love to work on bicycles. I used to work in a bike shop building bikes so it’s a huge passion of mine. I also like to play music, break into abandoned buildings, and go on trips… not in any particular order.
Nadine: I love doing craft/DIY projects for my house/for gifts and have an interest in home decorating. I also would love to travel more.
Speaking of super powers, if you could choose to have any, what would you pick?
Amanda: Teleportation. Duh.
Carina: Gambit was my favorite X-men. So I guess shooting flaming cards out of my sleeves?
Nadine: Mind-reading.
Finally, how do we connect with you?
www.lovemedophotography.com, facebook, twitter, blog, studio address: 1417 N 2nd St unit 3i, Philadelphia
all photos by Love Me Do Photography
Danielle is an experienced and certified wedding coordinator and life-lover from NEPA. She is also fabulously obsessed with love, laughing, details, bread, naps, the color yellow and her pup, Mollie.
