Q & A with Anne Schmidt
Bangor-based Anne Schmidt is making a name for herself in the wedding photography world. Her new favorite model, however, is a bit young to be wearing a wedding gown—her baby daugher, Olivia.
I've always joked that I was never an "artist" growing up. My sister was the painter of the family and when I knew that I couldn't draw to save my life, I turned to the camera. My formal training happened in the dark room in a black and white photography class in college when I was studying abroad in New Zealand. And it just took off from there. I was hooked. I became a photojournalist for my college newspaper and then after college I was asked to photograph my first wedding—a tiny event in a gazebo overlooking the ocean in Southwest Harbor. I fell in love with wedding photography, did a few things here and there for a couple years and then started my business in 2009. Currently it is my part-time second job, but it is my goal to be full time in a few years.
What do you love about wedding photography?
I love LOVE! I love the responsibility of capturing one of the most important days of a couple's life. I cry at every wedding!
What is the biggest challenge you face when shooting a wedding?
Because a wedding is a major event in a person's life, there are often other people involved that want to tell you how to do things or have lots of opinions. So sometimes you just have to politely nod and say, "Well let me see what the bride and groom think." Remember, it's their day and no one else's.
What should clients know about your style of photography?
Vivid colors, observant candids, sharp emotion. Like most modern photographers today, I shoot as I see things happen. I try to stay as unobtrusive as possible. Shooting weddings is a wonderful game of people watching for me. Then there are of course the portraits of the bride and groom that I like to do in a very playful style. I'll just take them aside for a few minutes and let them have a moment while I snap a few shots before the big party.
When you're not behind the camera, what do you like to do?
Sing, garden, go for walks, brew beer with my husband (it's our new favorite hobby!) and play with my daughter who was born this spring.
How can the couple help YOU on their wedding day?
I love a couple that is organized with the timeline of their day, letting me know where I need to be and when and what the plan is for their wedding. It just makes everything go smoothly. But most importantly, have fun! Relax and don't forget to enjoy the day.
How has your photography style changed over the years?
My style hasn't changed that much, but I feel that I have a much better eye for things now. I play with light a lot more and I'm much more aware of my surroundings. I've really practiced hard at learning my camera, but never forgetting that it's a machine and that my eyes are a much more trusted tool.
What sorts of things inspire you when you pick up your camera?
Pure joy. You cannot fake raw emotion and when you're shooting people at their most vulnerable, that's when you get some of the best images.
Where will your business be in the next 5 years?
Hopefully I will be shooting full time and my dream is to have a studio space to work out of....but that may be a little more than 5 years away. We'll see!
