Planning a wedding involves a lot of work. When you are in the planning process, it feels like every little detail is stuck in your mind and you’ll never forget them. However, the truth is, most of these details slowly fade away months after your wedding. The reason why we value wedding photography so much is because it’s the best way to capture our precious memories and all the time and efforts we put into organizing the special day.
Wedding photos allow us to refresh our sweetest memories every now and then, and remind ourselves how blessed we are. Have you seen photos that just speak to your heart? The ones that illustrate true beauty through remarkable scenes? This is how we felt when we first saw the beautiful images captured by destination wedding photographer, Daran Wu.
What we love the most about Daran’s work is the combination of magnificent scenes and natural emotions. As we started talking with Daran, we learned that his personality and attitude towards wedding photography really reflect the style of his work – sincere, passionate, neat, and determined. Join us as we share Daran’s story and amazing work below!
1. Tell us about Daran Photography and how it started!
Daran: My passion for wedding photography started in 2005 when I was busy attending friends’ weddings. I met many old friends at various weddings, and some of them were really into photography. At that time photography was the bridge that reconnected our friendship because it created a common topic to share. In 2010, I attended the Apertura Workship in Singapore, and this decision completely changed my life and shaped my photography style and career. In 2011, I decided to quit my full time job to pursue my passion in photography; and that’s when Daran Photography started.
Now when I look back, I really think the workshop was a great investment. It gave me an opportunity to meet talented photographers with different cultural backgrounds. This expanded my vision so I could see that there are so many things to consider before we capture each photo; and at the same time, so much room for creativity to flow!
2. What are the greatest joy and challenges you experienced in this field?
Daran: The best thing I love about being a destination photographer is the opportunity to travel and get to know different cultures. I learned that having great techniques is very important, but what really strengthens my style and quality of work is my real experience in life.
The biggest challenge is actually my self-expectation. When my destination clients choose me over local photographers, I really want to do a good job and make sure they are happy with all the photos. Offering high quality work is my only way to honor their choice, and this thought often carries some pressure.
3. How do you communicate with your clients to make sure you meet their expectations?
Daran: Meetings before the wedding day is crucial. I always ask couples ahead of time what kind of styles do they like. If the couple cannot describe clearly, I would show them my portfolio and ask them which photos they like the most. I would also ask them if they have any favorite inspiration or wedding photos. The key idea is to figure out their taste and expectations.
4. As a destination photographer, which countries do you visit most often?
Daran: I take regular cases in my homeland, Taiwan, and Canada. My sister is also working in the wedding industry (bridal makeup artist) in Canada, so we often work together. I’ve visited Italy, England, China, Hong Kong, Guam, and Australia to capture different weddings.
5. Please share an unforgettable experience with us!
Daran: Few years ago in July, I captured a wedding in Ottawa. My baby daughter was born in June, and I really wanted to spend more time with my family. However, this wedding was booked over a year ago and I didn’t want to break my promise. I ended up spending a month and a half in Ottawa doing some preparation and meeting with the couple.
The wedding was held at a beautiful venue and it had a combination of Asian and Western wedding styles. It took a lot of energy to capture this wedding. I was so nervous that I stayed awake for over 30 hours before the wedding day. I started shooting around 5am, and by the time the event ended my body was so numb that I couldn’t feel a thing. This was a very interesting and challenging experience I would never forget.
6. Are there any challenges you want to overcome at this point?
Daran: I really admire some photographers who show artistic and creative talents in their work. I hope I’ll be able to strengthen my artistic vision and creativity.
7. Please give newly engaged couples some professional tips.
Daran: Wedding photo shoot is like filming a movie, so the interaction between the couple is very important. The more open you are, the better photos you’ll get. Preparation is also very important. It’s best to have a plan and communicate well with your photographer to ensure your ideal shots will be captured.
Wear a dress that best fit your personal style and personality. If you are wearing something more casual, make sure the color and material match between the bride and the groom. BE YOURSELF is very important! If you are a joyful person, you should laugh, jump, or do whatever to show who you really are. Don’t limit yourself to a certain atmosphere you try to achieve.
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