Richmond Wedding Vendor Spotlight: Bob Schnell Photography
On your wedding day, you’ll probably see your photographer more than anyone else. With Bob Schnell, the owner of Bob Schnell Photography by your side, you’re sure to have a great time and a lot of laughs along the way.
Tell us a little bit about your company.
I have a boutique (which is frankly marketing talk for small) studio. I specialize in weddings and uniquely classic portraits – be it bridal, family or high school seniors. My approach is relaxed and fun, which does not mean over the top excited and manic. It means low-key, conversational and zero stress (or as close as is humanly possible). Experience has taught me where to be and when to be there for the right moment and when to fade into the background so I don’t ruin that moment. I make you look your best, and you will have fun having your picture taken – if you can believe that.
How did you get started in this business?
It’s a clichéd story of picking up my father’s camera and being amazed that taking pictures was not actually rocket science. I was working at a camera shop years ago and someone came in looking for a photographer for their small wedding. Being terrified and then having fun with the day and the couple opened my eyes to the joy of photographing people. Switching to digital several years ago opened up the creative possibilities after the image is taken as well.
What differentiates you from other businesses in your field?
What does differentiate me from others? I shoot all my pictures dressed in a gorilla costume perhaps?
Seriously, the simple truth is that most photographers at a certain level in this area work in a similar manner. My goal is to provide images that will delight my clients for generations to come and to go about achieving that goal in a way that is pleasant and fun for everyone involved. It is undeniably true that images invoke emotion and memories (of course). My images are about my clients’ lives, not whatever trendy Photoshop effect I can use in order to be ‘different.’
“My images should reach out and touch your soul, to cause you to re-evaluate everything you ever thought about reality and what it means to be a human being….”
Why do you like working with weddings?
My favorite time of the wedding day is before the ceremony, no question. Everyone is getting ready and there is excitement, tears and laughter everywhere. I dearly love capturing all that wonder and drama. I am a portrait photographer at heart, so I very much enjoy the time I can spend with the couple to photograph them after the ceremony as well. This is a singular time when everyone looks their best in one of the milestone moments of their lives.
The hors d’oeuvres at the receptions are also a nice perk, of course.
What is the most difficult situation you have faced with a bride and how did you resolve it?
I had a wonderful couple a few years ago. The bride was a truly beautiful girl who was a little self conscious about her body. She asked a lot of questions ahead of time about the kind of retouching I could do to make her look more slim. I was concerned that she was not only developing unreal expectations, but also going outside the style of photography I do. The reality now is that with Photoshop and some skill, there are very few limits to the amount of manipulation you can do to an image. However, my goal is to show the best version of reality. I do not want to create an image that is clearly heavily reworked. That does not ultimately serve the client.
In the end, I used posing and flattering shooting angles to make the bride feel confidant and comfortable. I did very little retouching work, and she was delighted.
You are dealing with people who are under a great deal of stress as they plan their wedding. In addition, everyone has their little foibles. Managing expectations and alleviating stress whenever possible is just another part of being a wedding photographer.
From a vendor’s perspective, what is the best piece of advice you can offer engaged couples?
Ask questions of your vendor! Do your homework. Too often I meet with couples and ask them what they want from their wedding photography and they simply do not know – beyond wanting great photography. Look around at other people’s work and know what you like and what you don’t like. Have you been in a friend’s wedding? What did you like/ not like about their wedding photographer? I am actually a big fan of brides who spend time on Pinterest for inspiration. Collaborating with a client to achieve the kind of wedding images they are imagining is a wonderful thing – but it cannot happen if a photographer does not know what you want.
What or who motivates you?
Other photography motivates me quite a bit. Seeing an images (of any kind, not just of weddings) motivates me by getting my creative juices flowing. I am always keeping an eye out for compelling locations, backdrops, how light falls at a certain time of day, etc.
What do you like to do when you are away from work?
I like to spend my time rescuing baby birds that have fallen from their nests.
Sorry, that’s totally not true.
I spend time with my family (as much as they can stand me), some cycling and working on the house, etc.
What would we be surprised to learn about you?
The urge to say something sarcastic and witty here is almost overpowering. I wanted to be an oceanographer originally when I was in school. However, the surprising amount of science courses required was amazing. I was really hoping I could simply spend time sailing around in the South Pacific like Jacques Cousteau.
Photography is almost as exotic.
Thank you for chatting with us, Bob! To learn more about Bob Schnell Photography, visit www.bobschnellphoto.com.