Creative Interview | Jessica Gold Photography

We have the privilege of working alongside the most talented vendors. We’ve chosen to begin a Creative Interview series highlighting the incredible professionals we’ve come to know and love through our last decade in the wedding and private events industry.

Today, we're highlighting Jessica Blass of Jessica Gold Photography, a talented fine art photographer serving Atlanta, the Southeast, and destination events. She is a film photographer who focuses on genuine imagery for meaningful occasions.

I have met very few like her, so passionate about her work and so eager to capture perfection for her clients. From her process on wedding day that allows her to tell a beautiful love story through photography to how she makes her clients feel at ease on a day so full of butterflies and emotions to her tips on choosing a venue, Jess gives us an inside look and her best advice. Here's what she had to say:

What are the details and moments you capture to ensure that the wedding photos tell a story?

The first thing I photograph on any wedding day is my client’s details: their rings, their invitation suite, any special heirlooms from parents and grandparents, and more. I love beginning the day with these photos! I really enjoy these photos to begin the story of any wedding day, and in addition, these make for great photos for albums.

The next thing I love to photograph (to ensure the photos tell a story) are portraits of my couple, both timeless and creative. I believe every couple deserves the classic photos, I truly believe simple photos can be underrated! In addition, I also love to be creative with my couples and see what sort of photos we can create that is reflective of them. I love having fun with these types of portraits to give my couples some unique shots, but also to give their gallery some character and personality.

The last thing I enjoy photographing, in the effort of telling a story, is what I call scene-setting shots. While I love detail photos that show off the design and aesthetics of a wedding, I also love capturing the “feel” of a space and what the vibe really felt like. I want to translate the guest experience! For these (whether ceremony or reception) I like to backup, get a wide-angle of the space, and maybe even get some motion blur in there. These always feel so unique to me, and really capture what the room felt like!

What do you do to make your clients feel at ease on their wedding day, such an exciting and whirlwind of an experience?

To make my clients feel at ease on their wedding day, we need lots of planning and preparation ahead of time. The work leading up to the wedding can seem daunting, but ironing out these details is crucial to be present and fully enjoy your wedding. I want to be equipped with all of the necessary tools so that on your day, you can pass off all of those cares and really be in the moment! As we work towards your wedding, we’ll walk through your timeline and set expectations for the flow of your day.

The second is that we need a timeline that gives us plenty of breathing room. The creative process (especially on a wedding day) is demanding and involves a number of moving parts. If we don’t give ourselves adequate time to move through photos and ensure everything is in place, we’ll end up rushing. This affects not only my creative ability but will most likely leave you feeling flustered and stressed. One of the best things we can do to set ourselves up for success is allowing for plenty of margin when it comes to the timeline!

Last, to put my clients at ease, I take it upon myself to guide them through the photo process and offer clear direction while taking photos. While everyone wants beautiful photos, no one knows what to do with a camera pointing at them! I find that most couples are grateful for the direction and guidance, especially when they can feel overwhelmed with all the events of a wedding. I want to ensure that my couples look (and feel) their best, so I take it upon myself to lead the photo process rather than putting my couples in front of the camera and expecting them to show emotion. (For the couples that dream of having candid photos, know that you still need to offer full creative control to your photographer to make these moments happen!)

What are some things couples can look for when choosing their venue?

The first thing I recommend couples look at is what sort of experience they want to give their guests. Yes, the wedding is about you two as a couple, but what environment do you want to create for your friends and family? Do you want a laid-back, relaxing vibe? Do you want a grand, avant-garde reception to really “wow” your guests? Envision how you want your guests to feel at your wedding, and see if your venue is reflective of this.

Next, see if you can envision your photos as you explore your venue. Does it feel like the right background for your photos? Photographers can only work with what they have, and if you aren’t thrilled with the aesthetics of your venue, you probably won’t love your pictures either. If it’s not a place you would take a lot of pictures on your iPhone, you probably won’t love it for professional photos either!

Don’t forget to choose your venue based on the season you’ll be getting married. If you’re getting married in the spring, a venue with lots of outdoor space and lush gardens will serve you well. On the contrary, if you’re getting married in the winter, this type of venue would fall flat. If you are getting married in winter, maybe you’ll prioritize a venue with great interior design that has a cozy, warm vibe. In a nutshell, don’t make decisions for your fall wedding based on how your venue feels in the summer! (Insert any combination of seasons here as you search!)

A few favorites…

Here are a few of our favorite photos from Jessica Gold Photography from Eve & Austin’s Swan House Wedding. Click here to see more from their beautiful day in The Portfolio.