Snapshots of a love story

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

A wedding is many things to many people. For Amy Becker, it?s a treasure hunt ? making sure she finds the tiny moments that will turn into lasting memories.

?Every wedding is exciting,? said Becker. ?I walk into a venue and find those little spots?something that is different and unique to their day.?

Becker has been in the business for 20 years. She started off her career working with a local photographer before branching out on her own 12 years ago. ?I did a lot of on the job training and found that I had a passion for working with people,? said Becker.

?Part of this (job) is making (clients) feel good about themselves,? she said. ?We?re so self critical, but people, a lot of times, when they see the final product are like, ?wow, I really like myself.? That?s a big thing. I want them to have that feeling after they come here. I want them to be excited.?

Becker said one of the things that keep her job exciting is the ever-changing nature of photography. In the past, Becker said engagement and wedding photos were very posed and a maybe even a bit stiff. However, the style now is much more personal, relaxed and has a photojournalism feel.

And on the wedding day, Becker always brings another photographer along to make sure every detail is caught.

?Every photographer has a different vision and we all see things differently and I like to get two perspectives rather than just my own,? explained Becker. ?One of us is usually really focused on the little things going on ? covering the details and the decorations ? while I?m focusing on the people.?

But Becker and her staff don?t just show up on the day, they like to get to know the couple beforehand.

?We sell the engagement and wedding session as a package,? she said. ?The big thing about the engagement session is that?s when I get to know (the couple), I learn how they met, their different styles and their personalities.?

The engagement session is usually an hour to and hour and a half, and can include in studio and outdoor location shoots. ?It?s very customized to what they want,? said Becker. ?I have photographed a couple in the library before because they loved to read and it was a setting they were familiar with.?

Becker said her goal is to try to capture the couple?s story.

Besides the engagement session, Becker has a consultation, usually with just the bride-to-be, although groom is welcome as well, a month prior to the wedding. During this meeting, Becker talks with the couple about what their vision is, talk about their families ? if parents are together or divorced, does everyone get along, etc. ? and if there are any posed shots the couple wants.

And if brides have a Pinterest board of wedding/engagement shots that inspire them, Becker is more than happy to take a look. ?Sometimes that really helps creatively to see what they like,? she said.

During the consultation, Becker will also discuss what kind of end product the couple will want. ?We talk about customizing their particular package and what they want as their end product. Are they looking for a finished leather wedding album, a coffee table book or a large canvas for their wall??

In the end, Becker said her job is to capture one of the happiest days of a couple?s life. ?Basically,? Becker says, ?we?re trying to capture their story.?

For more information about Amy Becker Photography, call 319-385-2692, or visit www.amybeckerphotography.com.