Vendor Chat with Brian Mullins Photography

This shot was taken just off of Fayetteville St. in Raleigh, NC. The bride’s gorgeous Vera Wang gown was provided by Alexia’s Bridal.

Vendor Name: Brian Mullins

Company Website/Blog: www.brianmullinsphotography.com

Brian Mullins is a leading and award-winning wedding photographer based in Raleigh, NC and has been a professional photography in the area since 2005. His work has been featured in both local and national publications and I am so honored to feature the following interview that I conducted with him.

TD: What is the story behind Brian Mullins Photography?

BM: The story behind Brian Mullins is a bit unorthodox. I have a background in cinematography and concert lighting so I’ve always enjoyed creating drama with light. I had shot film still photographs for some time but was turned off by the darkroom aspect of things (lack of instant gratification). When digital photography became viable, I needed to re-learn the cameras, exposure and process so I turned to a professional photographer who was an acquaintance of mine for training. Not long after, he needed a photographer to shoot a magazine piece for him of a historical home decorated for Christmas. I shot it and, well, I think it went into the bin. However I did get another assignment and was published shortly thereafter. The beginning of my photography career was that piece being published before I ever had a client. Needless to say, that was thrilling and firmly set my path as a professional photographer.

TD: Can you tell me about your approach to working with brides?

BM: I base my approach of working with brides on my own personal experiences being photographed. I try to get photographed twice a year by a professional and use that experience and how it made me feel to relate with my clients when they are in front of the camera. I love keeping a dialogue going while I am shooting and pulling personality out of my client. Whether they are jubilant, nervous, calm, fidgety or stoic, I want to get past the trepidation of the camera and capture who they are truly, instead of what I see on the surface at any particular time. In short, I try to remove the camera as much from the equation as possible.

TD: What is your style of photography?

BM: My style, like many photographers, tends to change slightly based on my client. It’s not portrait photography or photo journalistic but a mix of both. I’ve heard it called portrait-journalism and that would probably be the best definition I can agree with. Being there to observe and document during key moments while still creating more artistic pieces is something I think is key to any wedding day.

TD: How many people shoot for Brian Mullins Photography?

BM: I am the primary shooter for the company. I have been bringing on associate photographers to shoot with me and, in the near future, there will be multiple photographers who can work independently on any given day. In the past, I have worked solely alone but am starting to bring a lighting assistant with me to open up the artistic lighting techniques that are impossible to do when alone.

TD: What advice would you offer to brides when selecting their wedding photographer?

BM: The best advice I can give brides when selecting their wedding photographer is look at their personality first and photography second. Of course, this becomes difficult when looking at hundreds of photographers work without ever meeting them. The reason this is so crucial, however, is every wedding day is different and every photographer’s work is based on their personality. So if you like their work you are more apt to like the photographer but, when you like the photographer, you almost always love the imagery they produce. Pricing, obviously, is an important factor in this equation but you should only consider pricing after the first two factors. Wedding photography can be quite difficult as the lighting conditions, most times, are atrocious. The pace of the day is extremely quick and it can’t be re-done, so getting the personality that makes you comfortable, the photography you love and a price that you can work with is, to me, the trifecta of choosing a wedding photographer.

TD: What is your favorite time of the day to shoot weddings.

BM: My favorite time of day for weddings is generally close to sunset. I tell every one of my clients “the worse the light, the more dramatic we must become with the photos.” Later afternoon, sunset, dusk and even “night” gives me a ton of options to create mood and drama, if we wish, and opens up possibilities generally not plausible to do in the mid afternoon sun without a lot of extra time.

TD: Lastly, what is the one thing you cannot start your day without?

BM: Oh gosh, this is actually a difficult question. Coffee, for one, just gets my day started. I am a huge coffee snob and order custom roasted beans directly from the importers. However, checking my email first thing in the morning comes even before the coffee. Something about seeing the email come in (no junk mail mind you) just gets me pumped for the entire day. So, I guess I have to cheat and give you two.

TD: Brian, thank you so much for interviewing with me!

BM: Thank you Tabitha! It’s an honor to have been interviewed by you!

Following are a few beautiful wedding photographs of Brian’s work as well as a short description of the location. To view more of his work please visit his company’s website.

This engagement session was taken during sunset at the Adams Family Vineyards in Willow Springs, NC.

This shot as taken at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.

The groom came out onto the dance floor and was immediately surrounded by the bridesmaids. Was quite a fun shot to take as I kept thinking to myself  ‘hands, hands, everywhere hands’! Reception took place at the Washington Duke Inn [in Durham, NC].

This wedding was shot on the beach in front of Captain Charlie House on Bald Head Island, NC.

This reception had been wild so I knew once the guests had their ‘Ammunition’ that it would be a complete showered of rose pedals. Taken at the Old Towne Club in Winston-Salem, NC.