Q & A with Dustin Turin
Dustin Turin uses his camera as an excuse to look more closely at the world. We have to admin, we like what he sees...
How did you get started in wedding photography?
When I was in high school, I took an intro to photography class with a classic black and white Minolta film camera. I was hooked. Soon thereafter, I purchased my first digital camera and started teaching myself everything I could about digital photography. I learned over the years, while taking on small projects here and there, until I finally walked in to shoot my first wedding: my dad's! It was successful enough that I was able to use the best images to book several 'real' weddings. Today, weddings are the core of my photography business.
What do you love about wedding photography?
Wedding photographers get a completely unique perspective on the weddings we participate in: we're there from start to finish. I always appreciate the "long" view that I get from watching the whole day unfold. Before the ceremony, it's all nerves for both bride and groom in anticipation of the "big day" that has finally arrived. But it's always downhill after the ceremony, and, from my perspective, I can see the nerves melt away as the day goes on and, inevitably, the bride and groom find the embrace of family, friends, and each other. It's very heartening for everyone.
What is the biggest challenge you face when shooting a wedding?
From my perspective, the venue selected for the wedding can either make the job of a wedding photographer much easier or much harder. I love shooting outdoor weddings, and even though there is always a risk of bad weather, a simple back-up plan is usually sufficient to mitigate that risk. Bright, open spaces are also a plus in my book. On the other hand, I think all wedding photographers will agree that particularly cramped or dark spaces can be somewhat nightmarish as they limit the options and creative abilities of even the best photographers. All spaces have pluses and minuses, and one of my favorite challenges is working out how to creatively use the available spaces to create amazing photographs, regardless.
What should clients know about your style of photography?
My interest in photography is rooted in a desire to tell stories. I call myself a wedding photojournalist, and I think this style is a defining characteristic of my work. I use natural light whenever possible, and I like bright, vibrant photographs. But telling the story sometimes means using creative tricks to accentuate certain aspects of the wedding. For instance, there are lots of fun things that can be done with a flash on a dance-floor!
When you're not behind the camera, what do you like to do?
I have lots of hobbies and interests. I love to surf, and, in recent years, I've enjoyed bringing my camera in the water with me. Traveling is a passion and perhaps where the journalistic bent of my photographs comes from. Recently I started to learn how to play guitar. I'm also a bit of a nerd, and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science. So, when not behind the camera, I stay busy!
What sorts of things inspire you when you pick up your camera?
Nature. To me, that includes people and relationships. I am constantly floored by the glory and beauty of the natural world.
How has your photography changed over the years?
I learn and constantly relearn that there are golden rules one must follow as a professional photographer. The technical quality of the photographs I now deliver to clients is much higher than when I first started out. At the same time, I've learned that the digital editing process is probably the most significant variable in determining the quality of images delivered to a client, and this process now rivals or surpasses shooting the wedding itself in terms of the time spent per job. The difference between a well-edited photograph and a poorly edited (or unedited) photograph is, to me, the difference between a professional photographer and a hobbyist. Proficiency with a camera is no longer sufficient to produce top-quality images; one must also have a comprehensive grasp of the professional editing tools at our disposal.
