I am honored to have Shuva at Accent Photographics giving her views on photography today on my blog. I love all things weddings, and getting different perspectives on how weddings should go is just another great thing I do. Here are her insights as well some great pieces of her work:

I LOVE working with people in love. And the opportunity to document their day is a privilege and thrill for me. In the process, my couples hire me not just to take photos – but also to be a resource to them. Here’s some answers to a few questions about how I work.

What time frame do you recommend for wedding formals?

Generally, I allocate 1 hour for formals, but not because I think formals will take an hour. A full hour allows cushion time for what I call the transitory or unexpected situations – such as the mom of the bride forgetting something or chasing down a missing groomsman. Realistically, I like to get formals done within 30 to 40 minutes. I also encourage couples to get formals done before the ceremony – which means the bride and groom would do a First Look (usually 15 to 20 minutes prior). Doing all formals beforehand allows a couple more photos for their wedding, makes for a more relaxed ceremony, and energizes the bride and groom before the reception.

What type of wedding or couple do you work best with?

My ideal (and favorite) couples are ones that take an active interest in their wedding planning together. In addition, I love working with couples that genuine care (with my guidance) are willing to showcase their love without reservation during an engagement session. They are the most enjoyable to work with through the entire wedding.

What is your favorite moment of the day to watch and enjoy (through the lens of your camera of course)?

My favorite moments of any wedding day are the unscripted, unexpected and intimate moments between a bride and groom. For me, these shots alone are worth the entire wedding day.

What is your strength in wedding photography?

My strength is the emotional investment I put into each relationship I get to know and ultimately document, from the engagement session to finalizing a wedding album. At the end of the day I want my couples to look back on their wedding photography experience with fondness for the rest of their lives.

Why is it important to have a professional wedding photographer?

Anyone can buy an expensive camera and take photos. However, chances are those images will look like those of many inexperienced shooters – lacking vision and creativity. An experienced wedding photographer has dealt with different lighting situations, has a strategy for shooting the day, and carries backup gear that includes extra cameras, lenses and batteries. More importantly, an experienced professional can shoot images that represent your day without missing a beat, producing photos unique to your wedding day that are high quality, creative, unique and treasured mementos for generations of you and your family.

Shuva Rahim is a nationally published photographer specializing in documentary weddings, children, families and weddings in the Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities. Her most recent posts about her work and life can be viewed at www.shuvarahim.com. She is the owner of Accent Photographics – www.accentphotographics.com.

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