Photographers

“This fragility of a moment fascinated me, and this is something I always wanted to do, freeze moments.” Andy’s guest on the show today is Zuzu Birkhof. Listen as they discuss her grandfather’s encouragement to go to film school, being the first female to assist the well-known german photographer Olaf Heine, and why she transitioned to wedding photography, plus so much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Zuzu is a photographer working out of Berlin. She had worked many years in fashion and commercial photography before switching to weddings in which she brings her fashion aesthetic. Zuzu has recently added a new element to her business called The Love Empire, unique shootings for daring brides.

Zuzu shares her journey from film school to producing and finally into photography. She talks about why she transitioned into wedding photography and describes how her style differs from other industry photographers. Listen as Zuzu shares why she sees the final picture before she pushes the button.

Zuzu discusses her new project, The Love Empire, where she got the idea and how the pandemic has allowed her to bring the idea to life. Creating concepts for brides in many locations, and that are unique to them before the actual wedding, is Zuzu’s way of letting the bride relax on her wedding day because she knows the perfect shot has already been taken.

Her approach to photography is different from the norm, but with her unique take on how a picture should look and what colors need to be pushed in post-production, she can give her clients a once in a lifetime picture to look back on. You don’t want to miss Andy’s conversation with Zuzu Birkhof.

“I’m lucky now because I get to go to really beautiful places and photograph wonderful people.” Listen, as Andy Kushner and his guest Matt Porteous discuss the small island he was born and raised on, when he became interested in photography, how the way he saw the world differed from other kids his age, his years surfing and taking pictures plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz

Matt is an award-winning photographer who has gained a world-class reputation for his exquisite documentary style photography. Matt is considered the Royal Photographer for his work with the Cambridges. He helps change-makers make a difference and shoots on behalf of Ocean Culture Life, a global community of storytellers, photographers, filmmakers, and environmentalists whose lives have been shaped by the sea. 

Matt speaks about the small channel island near France where he grew up, how he became a stonemason when he left school, then took off for two years to travel and surf. Matt shares that when he takes photographs, he likes to immerse himself in the culture of whoever is being photographed and how he balances all the different genres and projects he is involved with.

Have you ever heard of the documentary style of wedding photography? Matt shares his process with his clients and how he gets the guys he photographs to relax for photos. Matt discusses how he became known as the Royal Photographer, his work with Ocean Culture Life, and with some charities that helps rescue children in India from child labor.

Matt says he feels very blessed to live the life he has and he doesn’t take one moment for granted. During the pandemic, he put together a tutorial to help others navigate the world of photography. This was a very dynamic conversation that you won’t want to miss.

This is the first of a series of conversations, called “A Conversation with,” beginning with photographer Phil Van Nostrand. Phil was first interviewed by Andy on 12/3/18 (see link below).

Taking good care of ourselves, during this pandemic, is critical to our mental and physical health. Although Phil had been traveling 100-200 days per year, he has adapted fairly well to living as we now know it. Andy and Phil discuss whether or not they feel fear about their finances and what their perspectives are on the topic. Phil brings up a discussion on mini-matrimonies for clients and the mini-wedding society for the B2B market.

They also discuss the need for pivoting and reinventing themselves doing what they love and feel passionate about. Andy takes this opportunity to announce the launch of The Wedding Biz Network, featuring leading voices across the wedding and events industries exploring topics with and gaining inspiration from other industry leaders and upcoming notables. The first Network member, who launched his show on the 26th, is Sean Low of The Business Of Being Creative.
And Phil mentions the mastermind group he’s started as well as discovering old passions.

Listen in to gain inspiration from these two industry experts as they examine how to best get through the current pandemic.

Andy and Jose hopped on the line, Friday March 13th, to discuss the impact of the Coronavirus on the event industry and their businesses as a prelude to the regular interview.

Listen as Andy and Jose discuss many topics, including the celebrity weddings he photographed in 2019. There is so much to learn from Jose, regardless of whether or not you are a photographer.

If you are not familiar with his work, Jose Villa is primarily a film photographer, named one of the top Wedding Photographers in the world by Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Harper’s Bazaar. Jose has also been recognized as one of the most influential photographers of the decade by PDN.

Listen as Jose shares how the level of the weddings he does has changed and what he feels when shooting celebrity weddings. In 2019, Jose did the photography for Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra’s and Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin’s weddings, two of the most high profile weddings he last last year. Jose also speaks about the cameras and lenses he uses and the presets that are now available that makes digital photos look like film.

Have you ever grabbed one camera, one lens, and just started composing images? Jose speaks about how much he likes to change things up, even after being in the business for the last eighteen years. He shares about those moments he waits a whole wedding to shoot, clients that require a lot of attention and how that pays off, and his strategy with social media.

Jose is very humble and grateful for what he has achieved, and has more he wants to accomplish. Jose shoots about twenty weddings a year now and the intricacies of each event keeps him plenty busy. Listening to Jose is always a pleasure and you don’t want to miss this conversation!