Pictures are worth a thousand words. Your wedding photographer is one of the most important vendors since they are capturing the memories you’ll look back on and treasure forever. Sarah Sidwell is a talented Nashville photographer who knows exactly what photos and moments a bride is looking for!
For our Vendor Spotlights, we ask a couple questions about wedding days and the planning process to help brides get to know their vendors both professionally and personally. Here’s what Sarah has to say!
- What was your dream job growing up?
Growing up there were many things I wanted to be! An artist, a teacher, a nurse, a figure skater — my earliest aspirations included growing up to be a cow! Ha! However, I would say the most consistent thing I wanted to be over the span of childhood through high school was an artist. I went to on to college to study Art and focused on painting, education, and eventually found my way to photography. - What does a typical wedding day look like for you?
Wedding days for Mark and I look a lot like the bride/groom’s day! Wherever the bride is — I can usually be found. Wherever the groom is — Mark can usually be found. We love photographing weddings because the photography skills used through out the day are so diverse. We work as photojournalists at times — not interfering and simply catching moments as they occur. At other times we get to style detail shots and our editorial creative side kicks in. During other parts of the day we lead our couples through poses and actions that allow for natural and authentic expressions to be captured, and then once it gets dark, we become lighting gurus and begin adding light in creative ways. What we do evolves as each day goes on — we love the variety! - How long have you been in business? Why did you decide to start a business?
I photographed my first wedding in 2010. I continued photographing weddings part time until 2014 when I switched over to working full time as a photographer. Mark began photographing with me in 2012. - What is your favorite part of a wedding day/event day?
Every wedding is different. Often on our ride home Mark will ask me, “What was your favorite part of today?”. And its different every time. However, portrait time with the couple is always a time I love, and when the couple walks down the aisle for the first time as a married couple (during the recessional) — that always makes me smile. - What would be your dream event to photograph?
Hmmm, there are lots of dream events. And when it comes down to it, an event that is full of emotion, joy, and love is ultimately what makes any wedding a dream to be a part of. However, we aren’t above daydreaming about weddings with exotic dramatic backdrops! Mark and I would love to one day photograph a wedding in Bora Bora! (Or Hawaii, or the top of a Colorado mountain, Florence Italy, or St. Lucia!) - What is your favorite location in Nashville to photograph?
That is a hard one! There are so many amazing locations in Nashville! I can’t choose just one!
I’m a southern girl at heart and have a soft spot for any venue with an historic home! (the Carnton Plantation, Riverwood Mansion, Ravenswood Mansion, Cedarwood, CJ’s off the Square – just to name a few).
Oh and Scarritt Bennett is such a lovely historic church! And we love mixing in more Urban venues too — we think Houston Station is top notch! - Who would be your dream celebrity or you dream location to photograph?
I would have to answer Taylor Swift. I’ve grown up with her and have always admired her class and business sense. On a very different note – going back in time and photographing Mother Teresa in India would be an amazing experience. Mark would like to photograph Theodore Roosevelt. - If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Probably Italy! … But again, there is always Bora Bora 😉
Big thanks to Sarah Sidwell Photography for participating in our vendor spotlight!