Passionate, fun, and undeniably talented, today we are thrilled to introduce you to Gustavo Franco, one of Brazil’s highly coveted wedding photographers. Not only do we adore Gustavo Franco’s creative perspective, we love the brilliant, magical way this artist plays with composition, framing, and lighting. He is a gifted photographer who knows how to capture not only his subject, but the emotional underlying heart of the moment. His work is original and romantic, with a sense of vivacity that brings out infectious love and joy! Read on and get ready to learn how this creative visionary tells the most beautiful, vibrant stories through his lens!
Praise Wedding (PW): Share with us your development as a wedding photographer! What got you into shooting weddings?
Gustavo Franco: My career path began in a very interesting way. Photographing music bands was the first area where I started, and I always felt that music and photography are linked somehow. After a lot of hard work in practicing, learning, and assisting other photographers, one day I got an opportunity to shoot as a second photographer at a wedding.
I soon realized that capturing a wedding is actually in many ways similar to shooting a band, for they are both live events filled with emotions. I fell in love with weddings and cherish the fact that there are amazing people in the world who put their trust in me and give me the freedom to capture their precious moments in a creative way.
PW: We see a lot of creativity and variety in your work, how would you describe your style? And how do you keep your style fresh?
Gustavo Franco: My style is creative and honest. I am an open-minded photographer and I get inspired by different people all the time. I see people as different songs with unique stories and melodies. No one is the same and therefore shouldn’t be captured in the same way. I don’t treat my couples as “sir” and “ma’am”, but as friends. I treasure friendship, and strongly believe that genuine photos are created based on true relationship.
PW: Share 3 of your favorite photos!
Gustavo Franco: These three images below are my favorites and they mean a lot to me!
PW: What are your most memorable shooting experiences?
Gustavo Franco: Destination shoots are definitely my most memorable experiences! I love to travel along with couples to capture their laughter and precious memories, and use my photos to depict a moment where emotion has peeked.
PW: What is your creative vision? What do you desire to express with your photos?
Gustavo Franco: I often end up crying when I start to talk about photography, this is how much love and passion I pour in (I think that answers everything). I want people to feel true connections through my work. My vision is to capture real events and emotions as they happen, while maintaining creative quality.
PW: Any advice for couples who are looking for their perfect wedding photographer?
Gustavo Franco: I think it’s important for couples to find a photographer with the style and personality they like; someone they can really connect with.
Great people make great photographs. Choose a photographer with professional skills and positive personality, so that you can feel comfortable in front of the camera and really enjoy your big day!
PW: Share your coolest experience with destination weddings! Where would be your next dream destination shoot location?
Gustavo Franco: The coolest and most unforgettable experience I had was when I was shooting an engagement session in France. We had a lot of fun in France, and after the engagement session, my wife and I decided to visit Mont Saint-Michel, where we had our own intimate wedding!
My next dream destination shoot locations are Turkmenistan, Nepal, and China! Does anyone want to go there with me?
PW: What are some things you would suggest to couples before taking pre-wedding photos and the acutal wedding day photos?
Gustavo Franco: Do not worry! “Concerns” bring unhappiness, and you want to be as stress-free as you possibly can! Simply trust your photographer and enjoy the shoot!
Don’t let others change your taste or desires, follow your own heart! If you have a crazy idea (even if it’s marrying in a pink shirt and boots), just do it and be yourself!
PW: We all know lighting is very important in photography, how do you handle low light challenges?
Gustavo Franco: In Brazil, most weddings are held at night or indoors, so it’s rare to have perfect lighting. I don’t see any problem with fixing the lighting and colors through post production, as long as you know what you are doing. I used to play with multiple speedlights and LEDs, but now I prefer carrying less things with me when I shoot.
PW: How do you keep yourself inspired?
Gustavo Franco: Music! Music is my everything. My inspiration always comes up when I listen to songs and watch scenes from music videos.
PW: Further advice or ideas?
Gustavo Franco: Thank you Praise Wedding for the opportunity to be here! Wedding photography is something that really brings out the best in people. It brings happiness, love and true emotions. I always believed that photography has the power to change people for the better, and wedding photography is where I see this belief come true!
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