10 Questions with Christian Oth
1. When you started out in the world of photography, how did you narrow down to wedding photography?
Originally I didn’t plan to photograph weddings. After photo school, I assisted editorial fashion and commercial photographers in New York. Soon I shot my own editorials and started having commercial clients and then photographed for Getty Images and did celebrity portraits for the New York Times Magazine. I was introduced to wedding photography originally as a “weekend gig” for a wedding studio. When I looked around the wedding photography landscape at the time, the work was mostly pretty awful. So, I had the idea to start my own studio and apply what I knew from shooting fashion and editorial aesthetics to deliver great wedding photos. It was a happy fusion of the elements.
2. What makes for a great wedding picture moment?
The most important part for me is when there is a natural flow to the day. My photography coverage is very organic in the way that it doesn’t feel forced. This means no unnecessary awkward posing moments, instead I focus on keeping the right balance of energy between the subject and the photographer.
3. What are the services offered at Christian Oth Studio?
We photograph weddings of course, but we also cover life events, such as birthdays, engagements and family portraits. Then we have a fine album and printmaking department that is very curated with a concierge approach.
The studio also has other divisions, as the photographers also shoot fashion campaigns, lookbooks and do any kind of portrait photography from editorial to business headshots.
4. What are the trends for shooting weddings today and do you think photography will change in the 2020’s?
We are in a tremendous change in terms of the visual vernacular. Social Media has been around for some time now and we find that most subjects we photograph have a much more educated vision of themselves. Somehow, everyone is a photographer these days. What I see out there are very “posed” photos on social feeds etc. What I see a great demand for is that certain authentic capture of a persona that only a trained photographer can do.
5. Do your editorial fashion shoots and wedding photography complement each other? How so?
Absolutely! One informs the other, however the approach to getting great photos is quite different. A good photographer has training in both genres. It’s something that’s a bit unusual, but I advocate every photographer out there to have experience in these two worlds. Shooting fine art or fashion makes me keep my edge. Shooting weddings sharpens my skills to be adept at any situation that I may encounter, be it lighting scenarios, sudden location changes and managing personalities.
6. When interviewing the couples what kind of answers do you get when asking to define their style? Where do you take it from there?
It’s quite interesting. Most couples that I meet love this authentic unposed and somewhat fashion forward style. A great photographer knows how to capture someone’s personality and well, it must be said, to make them look good.
7. When a bride chooses her dress for a wedding what should she think about from a photographer’s point of view?
I work with a lot of brides that consult with a fashion stylist. I would highly recommend hiring one. There are wonderful stylists that are focussed on bridal but also shoot fashion. Having a great dress that’s not only appropriate, but beautiful and fashion forward simply completes the picture.
8. If the weather/location/lighting of the wedding is a challenge how do you deal with it?
A wedding moves forward no matter what. I always look at the forecast and make a rain plan. This is mostly for any photo situations that I set up, such as couple portraits and group photos. As a photographer I’m used to changing situations so it’s not hard for me to come up with a plan B.
9. How do you find out if the couple is comfortable in front of the camera? What do you suggest?
The number one ingredient for the couple to look great, natural and relaxed is if they trust their photographer to take a great photo of themselves. Communication and building rapport is key to this. I always recommend having a couple portrait session at some point before the wedding. This can be months or a few days before.
10. Favorite locations you like to shoot for weddings?
So many! I’m very fortunate to shoot in places like Lake Como or the South of France as well as the top venues in Manhattan on 5th Avenue. But I also love discovering new places, be it an island in Greece or a Palazzo in Venice. Travel is a vital part of what I do.
